Naturally Wrapped: Simple, Beautiful Ways to Gift Sustainably This Christmas

There’s something deeply satisfying about wrapping a gift well.  Not extravagantly — just thoughtfully. The kind of wrapping that feels like part of the present itself: quiet, natural, a little bit old-fashioned, and kind to the planet.

If you’ve been looking for ways to keep your gifting simple and sustainable this Christmas, here are some gently beautiful ideas to try — all easy, all eco-friendly, and all with that handmade, gathered-from-home feeling.

1. Brown Paper, Elevated

A roll of plain brown paper is one of the most useful things to have to hand at Christmas. It’s fully recyclable, endlessly versatile, and wonderfully forgiving if you aren’t the neatest wrapper (a relief for many of us).

It can also become a little family ritual.

When Holly was younger, we used to sit by the fire on a rainy autumn afternoon — a film on in the background — and she’d happily stamp or draw Christmas pictures all over sheets of brown paper for me to use later in December. It turned wrapping into something personal and seasonal long before the Christmas rush began.

To elevate it:

• Switch to paper tape instead of plastic.

• Wrap with jute string, linen ribbon, or a strip of torn cotton.

• Finish with a sprig of something seasonal — rosemary, pine, or a little dried seed head.

For a softly festive touch, tie on a dried orange slice, a cinnamon stick, or a tiny handwritten tag.

2. Fabric Wraps: The Gift That Goes Around Again

 

Fabric wrapping — inspired by the Japanese tradition of furoshiki — makes even the plainest gift feel special.

A square of fabric can be tied neatly around a box, knotted at the top like a little bundle, or styled like a scarf around a bottle.

You can use:

• Linen napkins

• Leftover fabric remnants

• Scarves or tea towels

• Vintage pieces found second-hand

They become part of the gift and can be reused year after year — a gentle, circular tradition.

3. Reusable Wraps & Cloth Bags

If you wrap for the same people each year, reusable gift bags or cloth pouches are a lovely alternative. They come out briefly at Christmas and return to the cupboard afterwards — almost like decorations.

These can be:

• Calico bags tied with ribbon

• Drawstring linen pouches

• Quilted cloth bags

• Sturdy paper bags with jute handles

A small “family set” of bags becomes comforting over time — instantly recognisable beneath the tree.

4. Fresh & Foraged Additions

Sometimes the simplest embellishments are the most charming.  A sprig of something natural can transform plain wrapping instantly.

You might add:

• Pine cuttings

• Winter herbs

• A dried hydrangea petal or seed head

• Twisted willow

• Pinecones

• A small piece of holly

(Although, in Holly’s words, perhaps not too much holly — “because no one wants to open a present and come away with scratched hands.” Fair point.)

These little touches bring a sense of the season indoors — no glitter necessary.

5. Personal Touches: Tags & Details

Gift tags are an easy place to add personality.

Try:

• Handmade clay tags

• Kraft labels and a little calligraphy

• Wooden ornaments that double as decorations

• Card offcuts cut into simple shapes

A tiny handwritten note tied on with string is always lovely — no longer than a sentence, but full of warmth.

6. Children’s Stamped or Painted Paper

If you have little ones in your life, brown paper becomes a blank canvas.
Stamps, leaf printing, potato shapes — all of it works beautifully.

It’s one of my favourite memories: Holly beside me with her paints and stamps, creating pages of wrapping paper that dried in front of the fire. Christmas wrapping always felt more meaningful when her little drawings and patterns were part of it.

The result is always:

• personal

• heartfelt

• and completely unique

And the colours stay charmingly festive if you keep to greens, reds, and soft winter tones.

7. Reusing What You Already Have

Before buying anything new, check what can be repurposed:

• Last year’s gift bags

• Saved tissue paper

• Ribbon from birthday presents

• Yarn or wool tied into soft bows

• Pages from damaged books for tiny gifts

Often these reused pieces have more character than anything shop-bought.

8. Clear Paper Over Cellophane (for Food Gifts)

If you’re wrapping edible treats, consider clear compostable paper instead of cellophane. It looks just as pretty, ties beautifully with twine or ribbon, and can be composted afterwards.

Perfect for:

• Homemade biscuits

• Fudge

• Dried orange garlands

• Little bundles of treats

A simple swap, but one that keeps everything feeling natural and gentle.

A Simpler Kind of Christmas

Beautiful wrapping doesn’t require armfuls of ribbon or anything sparkly. With a few natural materials and a little thought, your gifts can look like they’ve come straight from a quiet winter’s kitchen table — soft colours, handmade touches, and nothing more than necessary.

A little slower.
A little kinder.
And very much in the spirit of A Quiet Kind of Christmas.