Wrapping Gifts Plastic-Free
Wrapping gifts without plastic – that makes sense! Because where a lot of gifts are wrapped, there is also a lot of plastic waste. Gift wrapping creates a wonderful moment but is superfluous afterwards. Therefore, you need to be careful to remove unnecessary material from your gifts and let your creativity run free. I have come up with 14 ideas that will help you pack your gifts plastic-free and in a sustainable way.
GIFT PACKAGING PRINCIPLES, PLASTIC-FREE
Sustainable packaging means that gift wrapping does not waste limited natural resources and can also be reused as often as possible. Since plastic is made from the limited raw material of crude oil (crude gasoline), we can also simply pack our gifts without plastic. To keep your gift from causing plastic waste, I have the following three principles for you:
1. PACKING MULTIPLE GIFTS TOGETHER
If you want to give multiple gifts anyway, you can wrap them together, right? So you have to carry less and the surprise when unpacking is even greater. If it makes sense, you can put or wrap a gift in another.
2. DO NOT USE PLASTIC RIBBONS BECAUSE THEY ARE HARD TO RECYCLE
Plastic ribbons (ribbon, etc.) and other plastic materials used as wrapping paper are extremely difficult to recycle. Why not wrap your gift in old fabric and tie it with a natural ribbon? It makes your gift look more unusual, emphasizes your lifestyle, and doesn’t waste plastic. The paper tape can also be used wonderfully. ATTENTION: There are differences here. Some paper tapes have long plastic threads that make recycling even more difficult than Scotch Tape and Company.
3. MAKE SURE YOUR GIFT FITS
Of course, you can never be 100% sure. We are too individual for that. But you can be “safer” before wrapping your gift. Think about your gift idea. This also contributes to sustainability and waste prevention.
PLASTIC-FREE GIFT WRAPPING, IDEAS, AND MATERIALS
You have just learned some basic principles of plastic-free gift wrapping. But gifts make a better impression if they’re sustainable and look good too! With the following sustainable gift ideas, we go into a little more detail and make your plastic-free gift unique. Here we go!
4. SUSTAINABLE DECORATION WITH NATURAL MATERIAL
Branches, grasses, leaves, cones, poppies, and others. Everything that can be found in the forest or on the road is suitable to decorate the present. You don’t have to overdo it, but it is always sustainable. Combine the gift with brown paper gift wrap and tie it with a natural ribbon. This creates a natural and harmonious gift design. In general, being sustainable also means being creative.
5. PACK YOUR PRESENT WITHOUT PLASTIC IN THE FABRIC
Cotton, linen … why not wrap your gift in plastic-free cloth towels? It looks great and makes your gift sustainable and plastic-free. However, when buying fabrics, make sure they are GOTS certified and therefore made from sustainable materials and sourced from fair trade. You also don’t need any glue or tape as you can knot the fabrics or tie them with natural tape or natural tape, Sustainable and plastic-free. Even square gifts can be wrapped with fabrics without breaking the gift packaging. The fabric can also be beautifully reused, whether it’s for the next plastic-free gift or completely different ideas. Those who know how to sew can, for example, sew a bag with the fabric. Here you can get organic cotton as an ideal gift material.
6. PLASTIC-FREE GIFT IN REUSABLE PACKAGING
Gift packaging does not always have to be thrown away. Why not use creative and reusable things as gift wrapping? These can be, for example, shopping baskets, cloth bags, cans, boxes, or glasses. Depending on what you want to gift, these things are wonderful plastic-free alternatives for your gift packaging that also don’t generate plastic waste. Beeswax wraps are not only suitable as a substitute for cling film but also gift packaging without plastic. It is important that the gift packaging can be reused. The gift is already sustainably packaged.
7. MAKE YOURSELF PLASTIC-FREE GIFT STICKERS!
As is often the case with short-lived gift packaging, you do not need special glue from the plastic tube! The plastic-free alternative is to make the glue yourself simply. This is super simple and is briefly explained: All you need for self-made glue: 1 tablespoon of fine wheat flour and max. 200 ml of water Put the flour in a small bowl and then gradually add the water; maybe you don’t need all of it until it reaches the right consistency. Stir a bit, and you have your glue. Depending on the intended use, the adhesive must be a little harder, or it can be painted. If you don’t use everything right away, the glue will keep in the fridge for a few days.
8. GIVING SMALL GIFTS IN BUTTONS AND THE LIKE
Jewellery and other small gifts do not always have to be given in boxes or plastic bags. Why not a natural, plastic-free gift packaging that does not generate plastic waste? Walnut shells, for example, are ideal as small natural gift packaging. You can simply glue them on with homemade glue (instructions in the tip above) or tie them with natural tape.
9. PLASTIC-FREE GIFT PACKAGING WITH OLD CIGARETTE BOXES
Remember the old wooden cigarette boxes that were used primarily to give away cigarettes and cigars? They still exist today! And so you can wrap your gift beautifully without plastic. The boxes are made mostly of wood, and you can often get them for free at cigarette stores, for example. You can also style it however you like for a unique wrapping paper.
10. USE PLASTIC-FREE GIFT BOXES
Have a gift idea for a gift tag with a personal message? It is always wise to do those things yourself. That makes your gift even more personal. Old cardboard boxes or packages are suitable for this, which you can adhere to your gift with a natural tape or plastic-free bast. Plastic-free gift tags are now also available online.
11. SUSTAINABLE HEMP / JUTE PACKAGING RIBBONS
As mentioned several times, natural jute, wool, or hemp ribbons are ideal for plastic-free gift wrapping. Hemp is a fast-growing organic raw material. Alternatively, you can also use masking tape, for example. Natural ribbons are not only suitable for gifts, but also to be able to send plastic-free packages or for decoration ideas and much more. Anything that you would normally glue can also be attached to the natural tapes.
12. USE PLASTIC PAPER TAPE
Never use plastic tape to wrap gifts or mail. There is a wonderful alternative to this: paper tape. But be careful: not all paper tapes are the same. Some tapes contain plastic thread to make the tape more tear-resistant. These tapes cause problems in recycling plants because they look like pure paper. So get the regular paper tape, which is usually very light.
13. PLASTIC-FREE GIFT PACKAGING MADE WITH SUSTAINABLE PAPER
Wrapping paper is crucial to the appearance of your gift. There are also many sustainable alternatives here to be able to wrap your gift without plastic! Newsprint is great for gift wrapping. That can look cool, especially when you decorate your gift with some natural material. If you cut out letters from the newspaper and use natural-coloured wrapping paper, you can also paste a message on the packaging. Always try to use recycled waste paper for gift wrapping. Used paper is super sustainable because no more trees need to be cut down. With wrapping paper, you are guaranteed to present your sustainable gift optimally! TIP: Plastic-free gift bags look great too! Plastic-free wrapping paper from Raccoon Umweltversand Here, you get natural coloured Kraft paper. Here you get plastic-free gift bags as a set.
14. AWARDED PLASTIC-FREE IN GLASS
Of course, it depends on what plastic gift idea you have now. Be it bath salts, candy, or other small gifts. Much can also be wonderfully gifted in a glass. This makes your gift sustainable and extraordinary, and the glass can be beautifully repurposed for storage in the kitchen. Small glasses that can also be reused as drinking glasses are cool. And you even get mason jars that glow in the dark! The mason jars are available in a plastic-free set. Here, you get the solar mason jar lamp as the perfect gift jar.
15. GIFT PACKAGING IN THE PRESENT
Avoiding plastic waste is only possible in this way if there are several gifts not “Too Many” and both gifts offer it in their form. For example, if it is a housewarming gift, you can wrap the plastic-free cookware in a new kitchen towel. But there are no limits to your imagination. Even if you are giving clothes as gifts, you can use them to “wrap” other gifts beautifully. To keep the present together, you can rework with natural tape. So you can wrap your gift plastic-free and earn points with sustainability.
