Inventive Eco Gift Wrap Solutions

When it comes to the holidays I don't mind the big crowds, long lines, or even driving in circles around the parking lot. It's not the gift buying, but rather the gift wrapping that gets me feeling a bit frazzled each year. On top of being a mom of four, I have a huge extended family and every year I find myself dreading wrapping all of those presents. Oh how I wish I had a family who would appreciate the gift of a charitable donation in their name, but since that's not the case I've vowed to make gift wrapping a bit more fun this year- and as an Eco-Crazy Mom, there's nothing more fun than searching for easy eco gift wrap solutions!

Step 1: Cut a straight line across just under the sleeves of your shirt.

Step 2: Cut along the seam on one side of your shirt so you can "open it up" and have one flat piece of fabric to work with. My shirt had lace around the bottom, so I cut it off to use as "ribbon". 

Step 3: Wrap your gift! My piece of fabric was too big, so I cut it in half, and then simply pulled all four edges up around my box, tied them together, and then tied on the lace as a simple bow.

Here's another alternative:

Use the fabric to wrap the gift the same way you would with wrapping paper, using safety pins instead of tape. Then uses any excess fabric from your shirt to create "ribbon" and/or a bow!

After making my t-shirt gift wrap creation, I was inspired to search for more eco-friendly gift wrap solutions- here's what I found...

Let's face it, we all use GPS these days, so why not put those old maps to good use- as wrapping paper!

Photo Credit: A Cottage In The Woods

Here's another spin on my t-shirt idea, this time using a men's button down shirt!

 Photo Credit: A Subtle Revelry 

Newspaper tied with simple ribbon or twine makes for a classic eco-chic gift wrap solution!

Photo Credit: Passionate Homemaking 

Give your gifts in regular or holiday themed reusable shopping bags and you'll not only prevent wrapping paper from ending up in the landfill, but hundreds of plastic bags too! I plan on purchasing several of these reusable shopping bags from Pier 1 Imports for gift giving this year, they're earth friendly, and will make wrapping a cinch.

Wrap your gift with a gift-  use a scarf, towel, cloth napkins, or cozy blanket to wrap your gift and be certain your gift wrap will be put to good use!

Photo Credit: DIY Life

Saving the best for last- if you have a special lady you really want to impress, wrap your gift in one of these gorgeous Maggie Bags for a gift that truly keeps on giving!

Pictured Above: Maggie Bags Campus Tote

The possibilities are endless! Here are even more ideas to get your creative juices flowing...

Wrap your package with:

-Dish towels

-New or vintage fabric

-Newspaper or magazine pages

-Bakery boxes

-Chamois cloths

-Vintage ledger paper

-Decorative pillow cases

-Scarf or handkerchiefs

-Fabric dinner napkins

-Brown paper bags 

-Maps

-Inexpensive canvas totes

-Pages from discarded books

-Vintage sheet music

-Butcher paper

-Large office envelopes

-The sleeve cut from an old shirt or sweater (great for wine gifts!)

Tie up your package with:

-Twine

-Raffia

-New shoelaces

-Repurposed rope handles of shopping bags

-A new set of earphones

-Scarf or handkerchief

-Hair bands

-Metal ball-chain

-Wire

-Necktie

-Measuring tape

-Sewing notions such as rick-rack, bias tape or hemming lace

-A new pet collar (for a pet owner, of course!)

-Christmas tree garland

Decorate and label with:

 -Rubber stamps

-Shipping labels

-Vintage office labels

-Office supply hang-tags

-Aluminum plant markers

-Paper key tags

This post was written by Terri Babin, an eco-crazy blogging mom of four dedicated to helping moms go green, without going crazy!  For more eco-awesome blog posts like this one please visit Terri at www.EcoCrazyMom.com.