6 Alternative Ways To Wrap Your Christmas Presents

Everyone approaches gift wrapping differently. Some people treat the task as if that’s the gift itself: dressing their present up in cellophane and ribbons, carefully attaching a handwritten tag, fastening a brown paper bow to the top, and more. Other people seem to have wrapped their gifts in a moving vehicle on the way to the event, or covered it so thoroughly in Sellotape that even Houdini would struggle to open it. One thing most gifts have in common however, is their use of plastic.

The UK uses 227,000 miles of wrapping paper each year and around 40 million rolls of sticky tape. Brits also bin the equivalent of 108 million rolls of wrapping paper each year, and much of it isn’t recyclable. That’s a mountain of plastic entering landfills once the festivities end. If you’re looking to create less waste, here are some alternatives to try this year.

Christmas Wrapping Paper Alternatives

Recyclable Wrapping Paper

A great alternative to Christmas wrapping paper with plastic in it is recyclable wrapping paper – but it can be tricky to know the difference. A good test is to scrunch the paper into a ball: if it stays scrunched, it’s probably recyclable. (It goes without saying, thought, that you shouldn’t try that test in a shop before buying the paper…) Wrapping paper with foil or glitter is usually not recyclable either, and you’ll have to remove any tape, ribbons or tags before you toss it in the paper bin.

Kraft Paper

Timeless and sophisticated, if you’re looking for something more rustic, then kraft paper works well as a Christmas wrapping paper alternative. It’s sure to complement your Christmas tree aesthetic regardless of the colour scheme. It’s also Julie Andrews approved. As she famously sang, ‘brown paper packages tied up with string, these are a few of my favourite things’.

You can find kraft paper in any stationary or art shop, and it’s 100 percent recyclable, too. If you want to make your gift even more unique, you could draw on the paper with coloured pens before or after wrapping, too – a fun task for little ones to get involved with.

Re-Use Old Wrapping Paper

You can save money and the planet if you reuse old wrapping paper instead of buying new this year. And this year, before you pull out the trusty black bin bag and scoop up any paper, consider folding it up and storing it in a cupboard somewhere for Christmas 2025. Of course, this relies on opening your presents with a degree of self control to avoid tearing the paper – not something that’s easy on Christmas day – but it will save you time and energy next year.

Fabric Wrap

Available in an array of beautiful colours and patterns, the recipient of your fabric-wrapped gift will want to frame the material before they’ve even glanced at the actual present. And the best part? You can use it again and again, without the need for any plastic products, even Sellotape. If you’re unsure how to wrap your gift, there are set-by-step guides to knotting and folding the fabric online. Bonus points if you manage to find second-hand fabric too, such as recycled saris or clothing.

Newspaper

Yes, newspaper – they still exist! You may well be able to read everything you want online (like this article), but don’t underestimate the humble newspaper. It can be a surprisingly versatile thing, and makes a perfect Christmas wrapping paper alternative. It’s also a great way to reuse those old newspapers you’ve had in the back of the cupboard for 10 years… For smaller gifts, why not try a pretty page torn from a magazine?

Natural Decorations

Once you’ve wrapped your present, it’s time to embellish it – and you don’t need microplastic-laden glitter or unrecyclable ribbons to do so. Simply step outside and collect some of nature’s own decorations. Pine cones, dried orange slices, cinnamon sticks and pressed flowers all look equally beautiful atop the mantlepiece or beneath a tree – lovely finishing touches borrowed from nature, which can be returned to decompose when the holiday season is over.