Tis the season for GIFT WRAP! I’ve been doing it often for the past month between Hanukkah gifts for 8 nights for 3 kids (!!!) not to mention my parents and other relatives and friends, along with my son’s 2nd birthday and now Christmas/Holiday Gifts for teachers and helpers in our lives. Lately, I feel like all I do is wrap something!

For years, I have often reused gift bags in good condition. I can’t imagine throwing something out that is perfectly usable (that most likely someone else will just toss out!). But even so, they don’t last forever. Whether it’s overenthusiastic recipients, my kids, or both, the paper bags aren’t good for that many uses.

But there is a better way! Over the past few years, I’ve really enjoyed becoming even more eco-conscious and sustainable in my wrapping. It’s not about perfection, it’s about always striving to do a little bit better. In this case, better for the environment and better for your wallet!

I often use Sarah’s Silks to wrap gifts for my kiddos. I had gotten these for my kids as gifts and now I look for them in their toy bins to do some wrapping! (These silks can double as a gift, too!) They look so pretty, and are fairly easy for them to unwrap!

You can also use an old shirt or sheet or whatever to wrap gifts too!

The Japanese often wrap gifts this way. It is called Furoshiki, and uses fabric squares to neatly tie up packages as gifts or just to carry it safely. I received this last year when I ordered tea from a Japanese cafe in LA. It arrived in the prettiest pink cloth that my kids still play with today! I thought how brilliant that was! American culture is so wasteful, I really appreciate and admire a tradition that emphasizes reusability and adaptability like this.

If you want to get started, there are great reusable gift wrap sets online, like this, but an old sheet, scrap of clothing or play silk works just as well!

Happy Gifting!
xo

(PS: the Hanukkah chocolate gelt in this picture was vegan & gluten free! Thanks, @paskesz!)