For Christmas 2024, I tried to use some reusable Xmas wrapping techniques for some of the presents I gave to OH and LB. I didn't, however, succeed in completely doing away with wrapping paper, but I did avoid anything with a metallic finish or glitter, so that it could at least be recycled.
My intention going forward is to lean into this practice for future gift giving, so this sale season, I have been looking out for reusable wrapping ideas and products that I can use year after year. I've found quite a few items on clearance at TKMaxx this year and I thought I'd do a little post about them.
Some of my favourite finds have been reusable fabric sacks or bags. The ones I've found have been quite luxe, being made from a velvety velour-type fabric. I like the different designs, and the odd one lends itself to use for birthdays too. Here's a picture of the ones I've bought:
They have tended to cost anywhere between £1.70 and £3 each, but I think they are definitely worth it to be able to use them year after year. They also make it much easier to wrap awkward shaped gifts or large bulky items that aren't easy to wrap with paper. I'm looking forward to using them. The one below, is actually a really colourful pillowcase that I bought from a charity shop. I couldn't resist bringing this home with me. It's currently wrapping a gift I bought for LB's birthday.
I've also bought a few ribbons and strings that can be used year after year. I tend to collect them after use and wind them up ready to be used again.
I bought a couple of fabric re-usable bottle bags this year too, as the paper ones, although reusable, do tend to look worse for wear, especially if we travel at Christmas and they get squashed into bags in the car. I hope to make a few more fabric ones myself at some point during this year, as well as making some fabric gift bags and furoshiki fabric wraps from fabrics in my stash, for both birthday and Xmas use.
Not everything I've bought has been reusable. I do like tissue papers of different designs, and always tend to buy a few in the sales. They are good for wrapping clothes and bottles. Here's a selection of the ones I bought this year:
I bought some Xmas cardboard gift boxes too, that I do try to reuse from year to year. These cost 80p for two boxes, which was great value and they are also great for gift wrapping clothes.
This book of Xmas papers and card also came home with me, which I can use to make tags or envelopes to give gifts or money in. There are an interesting mix of designs and they were very inexpensive at £2 for 25 sheets. There are some glitter card sheets in here, but I don't really intend to use them unless I can think of something that can be reused year after year.
Finally, I bought a cardboard advent calendar for £1.60, which I intend to use next year.
I already have one that I got in the sale last year and used this year and I'm keeping it and may alternate which one I use every year for a bit of variety. I bought a couple of advent candles too, as I do like to burn these on a daily basis through December. I used one from Cancer Research this year and it worked really well, some don't in my experience, so I bought a couple more for future years in the sale. They were just 99p each or something similar.
I've spent a little money on the above things, but I'm happy with everything I purchased and they will all get used at some point and hopefully re-used multiple times. I'm enjoying gathering together a variety of wrapping options, but I look forward to making some of my own too. I'm currently curating a list of videos on YouTube on how to wrap gifts with fabric, so this should help me put these items to good use.
In the meantime, I tried to wrap most of LB's Birthday gifts using fabric or reusables this year. Here's a picture of my efforts:
She's yet to open these, although her birthday was 10 days or so ago, as she's been very busy at Uni and we haven't had time to meet up. It will be a nice surprise for her, if she comes home at some point during the term.
Do you use reusables for gift wrapping?
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