3 Lovely Things #5

Wrap with love not waste

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On Wednesdays you’ll receive a newsletter that contains a lesson/how-to/guide or mini workshop (and occasionally a podcast or video) for a simple, sustainable, handmade project for your home, kitchen or garden. Woo! Upgrade to paid to access all the classes and workshops including every previous downloadable pdf lesson. You can check them out here with a new one sent to your inbox each week!

Then on Saturdays (or Sunday depending how my week is going) I’ll be sharing a short and sweet letter called 3 Lovely Things. As the name suggests it will contain 3 lovely things that made me smile during the week in the hope they bring you a glimmer of happiness too! 🥰🌷💜 This bit is free for everyone but I’d still be delighted to welcome you as a paid subscriber!

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Hello Gorgeous Friend!

This week the theme is gift wrapping!

You may have gathered by now that I cannot stand unnecessary waste. Mountains of torn wrapping paper and plastic ribbon stuffed into rubbish bags after the presents are unwrapped makes me feel ill. Especially when I know the same is happening in millions of households around the world.

It seems insane to me. 🫣

We can wrap our gifts in a way that’s creative and that looks stunning without costing the earth. 🌿 Think about choosing natural materials that can be composted or, at the very least, recycled such as plain paper and string, paper twine or paper ribbons. (That pretty, shiny gift wrap? It’s paper mixed with plastic so can’t be recycled 😔). Or try reusable wrapping ideas like numbers 2 and 3 are fantastic too.

I’ve gathered some gift wrapping ideas (way more than 3) that are beautiful and eco-friendly. (Unless you’re so organised you’ve already done all your wrapping. Well done you! Then this is a bit late for you but hopefully this gives you ideas for next year or the next time you’re wrapping a gift!). 🎁

I hope this inspires you to create gorgeously wrapped gifts that are kinder to the Earth and your wallet! 🧡

(This post has a lot of photos so it may get cut off in the email. If so click the header to view the whole thing. These are not my projects. These are pins I’ve gathered. You can view more pins and photo credits here ).

3 Lovely Things #5

#1 Brown Paper & String

A lot of gift wrap paper is mixed with plastic to give it a glossy sheen or texture. Sadly this means it’s not recyclable. It’s destined for landfill along with plastic sticky tape, ribbons and tags.

Here are some lovely ideas of using plain paper - brown, butcher or newspaper - which are recyclable and compostable. You can buy butcher’s paper and brown paper in rolls which works out way cheaper than small rolls of patterned gift wrap.

I love the cute paper flags combined with string. So simple yet adorable!

Using natural embellishments is very christmassy, simple and quick. Plus this entire wrapping can be composted - which is the ideal scenario.

How cute is this idea?? Draw your ribbons onto the parcel with a sharpie. Very minimalist and inexpensive!

Newspaper can be made into beautiful gift wrap. Add some leaves, twine and paper tape. Voila!

This is so simple yet so elegant.

Love this. Use a lint roller to make a rolling stamp and decorate your plain paper.

#2 The Art of Furoshiki

The traditional Japanese art of Furoshiki or wrapping with fabric is a beautiful eco-friendly way to wrap gifts - if the fabric is reused.

We have special large pieces of fabric in our household that are used for wrapping birthday gifts. Perhaps not as artfully sometimes as the expert furoshikians but we reuse them every year.

Furoshiki does use a lot of fabric so, if you’re not re-using it in your own household, try to make it part of the gift such as a tea towel, tablecloth or pillowcase. Other inexpensive fabric ideas are to upcycle sheets (dye or tie dye them if you like), large pieces of thrifted clothing (flowy skirts offer a lot of material) or a bolt of calico.

Tucking a botanical sprig is the chef’s kiss on these cute parcels.

If the recipient likes to sew, you could use a lovely patterned fabric they could turn into a project later on.

Using a large tea towel as the gift wrap is genius!

#3 Drawstring Bags

Drawstring bags are simple to whip up and make handy gift wrapping especially for awkward shaped items. They can be reused over and over as packing bags, lingerie bags and storage bags - or reused as gift wrap.

Jute or hession can be bought on a roll or upcycle coffee bean bags. Ask your local coffee shop if they have any to spare.

Drawstring bags are lovely to hold kitchen items or recipe kits. Add a wooden spoon and a sprig of herbs or cinnamon stick and you are a star gift giver.

I wish you and your loved ones a safe and happy festive season filled with lovely memories, yummy food and as many naps as you like. 🎄🎁💚🌈

Thanks for being here! If you enjoy the Apple & Radish Chronicles I would so love it if you could click the heart at the top or bottom of this post or leave a comment or forward to a friend (or all three!😍 ). Doing any of those things helps my newsletter get found by more people. Thanks so much for your support!

xxx Katrina

PS: The next post is due on Wednesday which is Christmas day. So there won’t be a making tutorial post this week. I’ll see you next weekend for another 3 Lovely Things and then back to our regular schedule.

*These are not my photos. You can find the credits here.