4 sustainable gift wrapping ideas for Christmas and birthdays
Every year, Christmas and birthdays can generate a lot of landfill. From mountains of wrapping paper to tonnes of plastic packaging and billions of unwanted cards that cannot be recycled.
To help combat the problem and live more sustainably, lots of us are choosing recyclable wrapping paper. However, carefully going through the pile of paper to remove the tape before recycling can be tedious and time-consuming. Thankfully, we have the answer.
Learn how to wrap without tape and instead use our recyclable alternative, Tape Discs. Discover four unique and sustainable gift wrapping ideas for Christmas and birthdays and explore new ways to wrap gifts that are better for the planet.
What are Tape Discs?
Before we share our sustainable wrapping ideas, it’s important to understand why Bostik Tape Discs should be your go-to at Christmas.
Bostik Tape Discs are 25mm translucent, single-sided sticky discs that are made from paper, so they can be recycled! With an easy peel and stick technique you can quickly and conveniently wrap gifts and parcels, fix ribbons and tags in place, seal bags and envelopes and much more – without the need for scissors.
You can even write on them, so they’re perfect for labelling gifts without producing the extra paper waste when using gift tags. Tape Discs are also acid and lignin-free, odourless and UKCA and CE approved, so they’re safer for children too.
Tip: If you need to remove Tape Discs due to misalignment when securing your wrapping paper in place, they can be easily peeled away from the surface. For full cleaning information, please refer to the technical data sheet for Bostik Tape Discs.
Now, let’s dive into our four eco-friendly gift wrapping ideas for Christmas and birthdays…
1. Brown wrapping paper
First up, we have our brown wrapping paper idea. Brown parcel paper is a great sustainable gift wrapping choice.
You will need:
- Bostik Tape Discs
- Brown parcel paper
- Recyclable / compostable brown twine
- Paper tags / labels
- Pen
Method:
- Measure your brown wrapping paper to size so that it covers your gift.
- Add visual appeal to the gift by folding one side of the brown paper twice.
- Fold the unfolded side of the paper so it covers half of your present and secure it in place with a Tape Disc.
- Next, secure the folded side of the paper so that your present is fully covered. Having your fold line up across the top of the parcel will create a pleasing pleat effect.
- Then, fold in the sides by creating neat triangles and secure in place so your present is fully wrapped.
- Layer up the look by adding a brown tie around the present and accessorise with a brown paper tag.
2. Reuse paper
There’s lots of beautiful paper already out there, so choose to reuse it - it’s a great and cheap gift wrapping idea. Get creative with the likes of old newspapers (especially the pink stuff), sheet music, paper from old books, or use a combination of them all.
You will need:
- Bostik Tape Discs
- Recyclable wrapping paper
- Recyclable / compostable brown twine
- Pens
- Pieces of newspaper
- Selection of paper shapes made by sticking old sheet music or newspaper to card, and then cutting out hearts, circles, baubles, etc.
Method:
- Measure your paper to size and secure one side so it covers half of your present using Tape Discs.
- Fold the other side of paper to create a neat edge and also secure in place.
- Measure your brown wrapping paper to size so that it covers your gift.
- Fold in the sides by creating neat triangles and stick in place.
- Add decorative twine and a gift tag to finish.
Tip: For another unique way to wrap Christmas gifts, cut interesting shapes from your paper scraps and attach them using Tape Discs.
3. Get arty
Pick up a pen and start drawing. Create your own DIY brown paper Christmas wrapping using colourful pens and your creative eye. You can of course adapt your doodles to suit birthdays and many other occasions too!
You will need:
- Bostik Tape Discs
- Brown parcel paper
- Pens of choice - we recommend fine liners, felt tips and gel pens
Method:
- Once you have wrapped your present in brown parcel paper (see sustainable wrapping idea 1), use fine liners and felt tip pens to add doodles.
- Choose any colour pen you prefer and treat your brown parcel paper as a blank canvas.
- Use the shape and size of the box, the occasion or even the gift itself, as your source of inspiration.
- Alternatively, you can draw lines and a bow onto the parcel for a graphical twist on ribbon-wrapped gifts.
4. Act natural
Our final eco-friendly gift wrapping idea is to use dried flowers, leaves, grass and seed heads as compostable decorations to bring your present to life.
You will need:
- Bostik Tape Discs
- Recycable wrapping paper
- Recyclable / compostable brown twine
- Pens
- Dried flower heads, pressed dried flowers and leaves
Method:
- Ensure that your present is nicely wrapped using brown paper (see sustainable wrapping idea 1).
- Attach your dried flowers to your present using Tape Discs.
- Add recyclable ribbons or twine to help secure your flowers in place and bring new textures to your gift.
- Take your compostable decorations a little further by introducing graphics to your design. Stick a dried flower head to your gift using Tape Discs and use a felt tip to draw a bouquet of green stems.
Tip: Press your flowers in the pages of a heavy book over the spring and summer and use them in your sustainable wrapping throughout the year.
Let's recap
Ta-da! You’ve now discovered our four eco-friendly wrapping ideas and have some different ways to wrap gifts that are better for the planet.
Tried one of these sustainable wrapping ideas yourself? Tag us on Instagram or Facebook with the hashtag #CraftWithBostik.
Time for another craft project?
Bostik offers a wide range of stationery and craft adhesives, so no matter how complicated your next craft project may be, there's a stationery glue at hand to help.
Plus, if you're looking for some craft inspiration, you can browse our blog and filter #CraftWithBostik for all Bostik arts and crafts ideas.
