My New Christmas Wrapping…
December 10, 2025
Hi!
I heard some rather disturbing stats early this year, about the wastage that happens every year with used Christmas wrapping paper, and I’ve decided that this year I’m going to stop adding to that problem. I’m a quilter, and one thing I do have plenty of is fabric, and as it’s washable, and most definitely reusuable, I’m wrapping my Christmas presents in fabric from now on.
Before we get into that, here’s something to think about….
In Australia, (with a population of only 27 million), we use over 150,000km (a bit over 93,000 miles) of wrapping paper at Christmas, which is enough to go around the Earth’s equator almost four times. The UK uses about 365,000km each year.
The US generates about 4.6 million pounds of wrapping paper each year.
Whilst many of us do try to reuse this Christmas paper, and even more put it in the recycling bin, the problem lies with the paper itself. Many papers have plastic, glitter or foil on them, which makes them not able to be recycled, and the cheap thin paper that we’ve all been using is made using fibers that are not strong enough for successful recycling anyway. It ends up in landfills, where it cannot decompose properly.
Now I’ll hop off my soapbox, and of course, it’s always up to you, but I was surprised by these stats, and I had no idea that it was quite this much of a problem.
With that said, quilters are great at fixing problems, so my solution is to go fabric!
Here’s a couple of different, easy options if you decide to give this a go this year, and if you really want to take it up a notch, google the Japanese fabric wrapping technique known as Furoshiki, and you’ll find a bunch of online tutorials and How To’s.
Super Easy Wrapping
The easiest way to fabric wrap presents just uses a flat piece of fabric. If you’re planning on reusing the same fabric year after year, then you may decide to cut into a few different sizes, to accommodate small, medium or larger presents. You could run a quick hem around all sides, and they’ll stay neat for years.
If you’re gifting a quilter, then maybe leave unhemmed as I did, as I know I won’t be getting this pretty print back!
Start by figuring out how much fabric you’ll need. You will want to leave a fairly generous space around your present, as we’re not using sticky tape either, and you’ll want to have enough fabric to tuck in properly.
For my medium sized present, I used a piece that was half of the width of fabric, by about 24 inches.
Place your present on an angle, and fold over the first corner.
Tuck the corners neatly and bring up the two side corners to overlap on top.
And fold over the last corner to finish.
Get a good length of pretty ribbon or cord (this is going to be reused too), and wrap around the present from front to back, twist at the back where it meets, and bring the ends up to the top again. Thread under the ribbon, then tie and make a bow to finish.
A prettily wrapped present!
You may like to theme yours with colours of fabric, or selected prints, or you may decide to just use up what’s in your stash and go for a fun scrappy look! Instead of ribbon, maybe you’d like to turn left over binding into ties for your presents? Join in whatever length you need, then tuck in and topstitch to hide the raw edges.
Quick Drawstring Bag
The other option that is really quick to make is a simple drawstring bag. These are great for family gifting, where you can use them for the same family members each year. Again, you can make them in a range of sizes, and you can personalise the fabric to suit the person, or maybe embroider or applique their name on their bag/s.
Making these is really quick too, and you don’t need to worry about neat hems.
If you can, fold your fabric so you have the fold at the bottom, as this saves a seam. Allow plenty of fabric around your gift, as shown.
Again, you might like to think about making bags in a few different sizes, so you can fit different sized presents.
With right sides together, sew down both side seams.
Fold down about an inch at the top edge, and pin before sewing around the bottom of that folded over edge, to make a channel for your drawstring.
Make sure to leave a gap unsewn at one of the sides, so you can thread your string through the channel too.
We used some leftover cotton cord, but you may like to use ribbon, or even left over binding strips for yours.
Turn right sides out and you’re ready to wrap!
Pop in your gift…
And pull the drawstrings tight, then knot them again loosely at the top to stop any peeking!
Add a fabric gift tag (or personalise your bags), and you’re ready for Christmas. This year, and the next, and the next….
Click the blog post title above, and you can make your own tags too!
I hope you’ve been inspired by these wrapping ideas, and I’d love to hear if you give them a go this Christmas.
Enjoy your week!
4 responses to “My New Christmas Wrapping…”
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my dear friend wrapped gifts in vintage table cloths this year. super cute for larger gifts
I started sewing gift bags this year as I’m trying to use up my fabric. It’s been well accepted by the recipients as they realize it can be used again and again.
I also have wrapped presents in tea towels and dishcloths and used lots of safety pins instead of tape as everyone can use them.
Safety pins – that’s a great idea!!!