25 Ideas to Reduce That Wrapping Paper!

Recently I have attended a LOT of celebrations…

  • birthday parties

  • graduations

  • weddings

  • baby showers

… and I have noticed how quickly trash bag after trash bag is filled with…

  • wrapping paper

  • ribbon

  • cards

  • envelopes

  • gift bags

  • tissue

Sure, I have as much gift wrap, ribbon and tissue paper stocked up as the next person, but I started thinking, what If I started wrapping gifts with…

  • less wrapping paper

  • with items that are useful

  • and colorful and fun?

    Maybe I could find useful bags, wraps or covers for presents that could be part of the gift?

And that's when I got carried away!

Here is a list to start your “creative gift wrapping” juices flowing!

You could use…

  1. Backpacks

  2. Purses or wallets

  3. Make-up bags or shaving kits

  4. Fanny Packs…they seem to be making a come back!?!

  5. Diaper bags

  6. Tool boxes

  7. Pencil bags

  8. Cloth gift bags

  9. Shopping bags (Re-decorate mall shopping bags OR buy cloth re-useable shopping bags)

  10. Blankets (Store bought or handmade if you are crafty!)

  11. Picnic blankets (You can pack all kinds of treasures in one, roll it up, and click the strap closed!)

  12. Beach towels

  13. Bed sheets or pillow cases. (Check out the Star Wars pillow case in the photo above)

    1. Roll a stuffed animal or add new pajamas inside for a kids birthday.

    2. How about inserting some school supplies or a picture frame for a high school graduate who is leaving for college?

    3. Bridal Shower? Wrap your registry gift in the sheets with a loofah as a bow.

  14. Tablecloths

  15. A cloth napkin

    1. Find them on clearance shelves

    2. Find them in thrift-shops or garage sales

    3. Make your own! (If you sew!)

    4. Single napkins can be reused in bread baskets or as doll blankets or super hero capes!

  16. T-shirts or sweatshirts, or any clothing

  17. Crazy socks

  18. Aprons

  19. Oven mits

  20. Gardening gloves

  21. Winter gloves, hats or scarves

  22. Baskets

  23. Bins and tubs

  24. Pots and Pans

  25. Coffee mugs

Whew! You get the idea!

It’s time to…

  • challenge our creativity,

  • think outside of the “gift wrapped” box,

  • and teach our kids how to revolutionize the traditions of gift giving!

Below are links for some of the items I used in the pictures above. (Other colors and options are shown in the links).



I love sharing fun and useful products for parents! Some links I use are affiliate links including links for Amazon.com. I get paid a small commission, without any additional charge to you if you make purchases from the links. The commissions are used to fund this site in order to bring fun and helpful content to parents! Thank you!