We all know this scenario: beautifully wrapped gifts under the Christmas tree leave behind a mountain of paper and plastic waste that we often dispose of without another thought. However, with the climate crisis advancing daily and drastically, we need to start thinking about the future we leave for ourselves and those who come after us in all aspects of life. That includes gift wrapping.
In this blog post, we want to tell you all about fabric gift wrapping and why it's the future of gift wrapping. Keep reading to learn more and perhaps we can inspire you to make the switch from wrapping paper to reusable fabric wrapping this holiday season.
The Problem with Traditional Gift Wrapping
Wrapping paper comes in many beautiful designs and it can be reused, if it is unwrapped carefully and doesn't have to many creases or tears from sticky tape. To get into why we think fabric wrapping is the future of gifting, we first need to talk about why traditional gift wrapping has become increasingly problematic.
Let's begin with the personal cost factor: each year, you need to buy new ribbons and paper, depending on how many gifts you wrap on average. Although wrapping paper is not expensive, this is an investment you need to make every year. Of course, you may argue that fabric wrapping is more expensive at first and that's 100% true. If you're investing in fabric gift wrapping, you'll definitely spend more and have to settle for one design. But fabric wrapping is not only something that you purchase, but may have at home. You can use a scarf, or upcycle an old bedspread. Another option is using fabric scraps or buying at your local fabric store.
Although it is more expensive at first, the switch to reusable wrapping is totally worth it. Conventional gift wrapping only has a short life span: you buy it, wrap with it, and throw it away, creating paper waste for only a few seconds of use. This, of course, has an environmental impact. Single-use products like wrapping paper often contain non-recyclable foils and glitters, so not only are they thrown away after one use, but cannot be recycled properly either. Wrapping with wrapping paper won't hurt when it's just you, but there's millions of people doing it all around the globe, especially during the holiday season. This results in millions of tonnes of unnecessary paper waste every year.
Fabric Gift Wrapping
That brings us to fabric gift wrapping. Wrapping gifts with fabric instead of paper is a tradition that has been around for centuries, for instance in Japan. Here, the fabric cloth that can be used to wrap objects and gifts is called a furoshiki and has deep cultural roots. Wrapping gifts in furoshiki is a practice of mindfulness and conveys your respect for people and objects.
Although in many cultures the art of fabric wrapping is traditional and has been established for a long time, it has now become a modern solution to reducing unnecessary paper and plastic waste around the holidays. Of course, it may be a little strange to ask the recipient of your gift to give you the fabric back for reuse, but modern problems require modern solutions. To save our planet, we need to start having these conversations and find sustainable alternatives to unsustainable practices. In no time, fabric gift wrapping could become a timeless tradition.
Why Fabric Wrapping is the Future
Sustainability
Fabric gift wrapping, compared to conventional wrapping paper, has a long lifespan. Once you use it, it can be passed on to the recipient of your gift or reused by you, making it reusable for many years to come. As such, fabric wrapping is a zero waste practice that shouldn't produce any waste at all.
Aesthetic Appeal
Just like wrapping paper, fabric wrapping offers a wide range of luxurious textures and stunning designs. Elevate your gifting experience by switching to reusable wrapping and discover elegant fabrics like silk satin that have a luxurious feel and look that will elevate any gift.
Practicality
Wrapping gifts with wrapping paper can be quite the hassle, especially when dealing with odd shapes or sizes. Fabric gift wrapping is more versatile when it comes to this, as it offers an easy wrapping experience for any gift - no matter the shape or size. Wrapping the perfect gift in under a minute with no scissors or sticky tape will not only save you time but also frustration.
Cost-Effective
Although fabric gift wrapping seems to be the bigger investment at first, it will save you money in the long run. If you choose timeless designs, you can reuse them for many years to come and will not have to invest in wrapping supplies anytime soon.
Personal Touch
Gifting with fabric wrapping shows the recipient your appreciation for them and the planet. They will appreciate the stunning presentation of the gift and appreciate your unique wrapping style. Plus, the fabric can double as part of the gift, if you're using a scarf, tea towel, or tote bag, to name a few examples. Anything can be fabric wrapping, be creative!
How to Get Started
Getting started with fabric wrapping is quite easy. Choose a fabric and begin by learning basic wraps and knots. You can find many tutorials online, including our website. After you've mastered the basics, you can experiment and figure out new and unique ways to wrap gifts for your loved ones.
You could start by reusing scarves, fabric scraps you don't need otherwise, or thrifted textiles. Once you've figured out the wrapping part, it's time to put yourself out there! No matter if holiday, birthday, or wedding - reusable wrapping will be appreciated anywhere. Plus, maybe you'll inspire others to start their own fabric wrapping journey.
The Future of Wrapping
As you can see, there are many benefits to fabric wrapping that make it eco-friendly, stylish, and future-forward. Perhaps you'll think about wrapping your next gift with fabrics to impress everyone at the party? 🎉
We hope you feel inspired to try fabric wrapping soon. You could start your journey today by wrapping with a scarf you already own. Practice makes perfect and soon enough, you'll love fabric wrapping just like us.