Wrapping gifts - but sustainable!

If you are working with conventional wrapping paper, it is worth measuring the paper carefully before cutting it to size. Large strips of paper often end up in the wastebasket simply because the wrapping paper has been cut too generously or too narrowly. Personally, I collect small leftover wrapping paper in a drawer to use later, for example for crafts. 

Speaking of wrapping paper: Wrapping paper marked with the “Blue Angel” seal is made entirely from recycled paper. This more environmentally friendlyrecycled wrapping paper – for which water is saved and trees are allowed to remain standing – is available from dm, for example. Of course, it's even better to avoid paper altogether.

The gift-wrapping utensils traditionally also include scotch tape. Unfortunately, this makes recycling quite difficult. But there are paper alternatives here too; so-called paper adhesive tapes.

I probably don't even need to mention this explicitly here. Nevertheless, sustainable gift giving also includes using wrapping paper (as well as gift ribbons) several times if possible. Of course, this assumes that the wrapping paper that has already been used still looks reasonably nice and has not been torn. 

Paper alternatives: materials

You'll be amazed when you look around your home and find everything you no longer need and what could be used as gift packaging:

• Newspapers and magazines, comics
• Sheet music
• Maps or city plans
• Calendar pages
• Shoe boxes and other boxes
• Parchment or baking paper 
• Tin cans
• Tote bag
• Mason or jam jars

And here are my three favorite insider tips:

• Empty toilet paper or kitchen rolls: Great for small gifts. The rolls can be easily packaged as candy by wrapping them with packing paper and tying them with natural string. 
• Canned food: The next time you cook with beans, peas, tomatoes, etc. from a can, don't open the can at the top using the tab as usual, but at the bottom; best with a can opener. You can then fill the empty and cleaned can with a gift and close the bottom again with cardboard and glue (e.g. with a hot glue gun). The tin can of course be decorated afterwards. The effect when unpacking by opening the can is really something new!
• Fabric scraps: You may still have some fabric scraps at home that are suitable for gift wrapping. If that's not the case, it's worth stopping by your nearest craft or fabric store. There are usually baskets with leftover fabric that are no longer needed. Super cheap and also resource-saving!

Decorate sustainably without plastic

There are tons of pretty decorative things in the stores, especially at Christmas and Easter, that can be used to wrap gifts in a simple and unusual way. These are often made of plastic or end up in the trash after being used once. That doesn't have to be the case. Of course, there are more sustainable alternatives here too:

• Instead of plastic ribbons, it is better to use fabric loops or cords made of natural fibers. Fabric ribbons can be ironed on easily and can therefore be used several times.
• Gluecan be made without any effortyourself: Simply mix a tablespoon of wheat flour with water and add water until until the desired consistency is achieved. By the way, powdered sugar can also be used instead of wheat flour.
• Pressed leaves or flowers, pine cones and twigs can be wonderfully clamped between gift ribbons or glued to the packaging. 
• Smallnut shellslike those of a walnut are great for storing jewelry or other small items. The nut shells can be closed, for example, with self-made glue (see above).
• For decorations such as gift tags and name tags, it's worth raiding your own paper waste. Here you will find boxes and cardboard that can be easily cut to size.
• Potato stamp: Not only do you feel transported back to your own childhood, but you also create uniquely printed wrapping paper with potato printing.
• For material in gold or silver colors, yogurt cup lids, tea lights or chocolate wrappers can be reused. 
• The following also applies to decoration: Use everything you can find. These can be buttons, craft beads, as well as scraps of paper or fabric. You can also create collages from old magazines, which can be used to beautifully enhance boring packaging.

As you can see, there are many ways to wrap gifts plastic-free and sustainably. I hope I have given you a bit of inspiration. If I forgot something important or you have another plastic-free gift idea, I'd love to hear from you in the comments!

If you want to learn more about healthy eating, mindfulness or sustainability, check out more exciting blog articles on these topics here .