The holiday season is a time for celebration, joy, and giving. However, when it comes to waste, wrapping paper is high on the naughty list.
In the United Kingdom alone, around 227,000 miles of wrapping paper is discarded annually, which is roughly the distance from the Earth to the Moon. This equates to approximately 108 million rolls of wrapping paper – and that’s one country alone. Americans spend $2.6 billion on gift wrap each year, and think they’re doing the right thing by recycling it.
The truth is, traditional wrapping paper is often coated with plastic, glitter, or metallic finishes, making it difficult, if not impossible, to recycle
The truth is, traditional wrapping paper is often coated with plastic, glitter, or metallic finishes, making it difficult, if not impossible, to recycle. While most of those bargain rolls you pick up in a last minute festive flurry at the supermarket, are made from low-quality paper that can’t be recycled either.
Enter eco-friendly wrapping paper. Made from materials such as upcycled polyester, recycled kraft, or biodegradable paper, it avoids additions such as glitter or foil, uses high-quality, wood-free paper, eliminates plastics, and uses natural dyes or soy-based inks.
Fabric Wrapping
Fabric Gift Wrap 3-Pack by Fabelab, AED 249
Give your Christmas presents a little extra magic with these beautiful reusable fabric wraps from Fabelab, available through UAE-based Made By Nature. Inspired by the Japanese art of Furoshiki, the set of three comes in gorgeous, earthy, spice-inspired shades that wouldn’t look out of place beneath a beautifully decorated Christmas tree. Forget discarded wrapping paper; simply fold, knot and tie your gifts into lovely little parcels that are almost too pretty to open. Better still, these versatile wraps can enjoy a second life as scarves, little bags or gift wrapping for many Christmases to come.
Forestland Linen Terracotta Christmas Gift Bag, AED 245
These stunning terracotta linen gift bags from Forestland Linen bring a gorgeous, rustic feel to Christmas. Handmade in Lithuania from 100 per cent natural linen offcuts, they’re a great way to give leftover fabric a new life while avoiding mountains of discarded wrapping paper. The soft, generously sized bags are available in two sizes, with a gathered top that makes wrapping even the most awkwardly shaped presents a breeze. The fabric is also OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified, meaning it’s been tested for harmful substances. Best of all, they’re designed to be brought out year after year, becoming part of your family’s Christmas traditions.
Handmade in Kabul: Papa Noel Reusable Gift Bags, AED 160
Forget the scissors, sticky tape and mountains of discarded wrapping paper. These colourful reusable gift bags from Waste Free Celebrations make Christmas wrapping a breeze. Featuring cheerful Santas and Christmas trees in vibrant pink, red and green, the drawstring bags come in sets of five or ten, with different sizes for everything from books to larger presents. Better still, they’re handmade by women in Kabul, Afghanistan, providing valuable employment opportunities in a country where women’s access to work is severely restricted. The company also operates a solar-powered workshop, giving these festive little beauties an environmental and social purpose. Simply fold them away after Christmas and bring them out again next year.
HappyWrap Organic Cotton Christmas Gift Wrap, AED 60
Who needs disposable wrapping paper when you can dress your Christmas presents in something this lovely? HappyWrap’s reusable organic cotton gift comes in designs including green and red reindeer. Made from durable fabric that folds and ties around presents of all shapes and sizes, these wraps eliminate the need for sticky tape and can be used year after year. Once the Christmas morning excitement has subsided, simply fold them away with the decorations, ready to reappear next December. And because they’re made from organic cotton, they’re an appealing alternative for anyone looking to avoid conventional cotton’s synthetic pesticide use.
Lush: It’s Christmas Deer Knot Wrap – AED 50
Who could resist this gorgeous little reindeer? Bursting with festive colour, Lush’s limited-edition It’s Christmas Deer Knot Wrap offers much more than its cute Christmas design. Made in India from 100 per cent organic cotton, the fabric is screen-printed by artisans using inks certified free from harmful substances, before being sewn by a social enterprise supporting women and local craftspeople. Inspired by the Japanese tradition of Furoshiki, it’s a fabulous alternative to disposable wrapping paper. And once the presents are opened, you can wear it as a scarf, tie it around a bag, or tuck it away for next Christmas. Now that’s a gift wrap worth keeping.
Eco-Friendly Wrapping Paper
The Doodle Factory Set of 10 Wrapping Paper with Tags, AED 30
Hand painted and then printed on to luxurious recycled paper in London, this Doodle Factory gift paper is a perfect eco option for your presents this season. Available in a bundle of six recyclable sheets, you will be supporting a small independent business by wrapping gifts for your loved ones in this unique paper. Wrap, rip, recycle… sounds festive and guilt-free to us!
MAMUNU Christmas Kraft Wrapping Paper Set, AED 45
For those who love a beautifully wrapped pile of presents under the Christmas tree, this gorgeous festive set from MAMUNU has everything you need to get wrapping. Featuring eight different designs, from colourful reindeer and Christmas trees to holly, snowflakes and traditional red and green stripes, there’s something for everyone. Each pack includes eight generous sheets of recyclable kraft paper, six matching gift tags, and 12 stickers, so you can give your presents that extra-special finishing touch without splashing out on extra accessories. Better still, the paper can be carefully unwrapped and saved for another Christmas.
Re-wrapped Christmas Eco-friendly Wrapping Paper Pack – from AED 10
Who says recycled wrapping paper can’t be every bit as gorgeous as the glossy stuff? British brand Re-wrapped has created a fabulous collection of festive designs, from snowmen to polar bears sporting little winter hats. Made in the UK from 100 per cent recycled, unbleached post-consumer paper, each sheet is printed using vegetable-based inks and comes with a matching gift tag. The paper is thick enough to be carefully reused and fully recyclable when it finally reaches the end of its life. You can even choose to have it delivered without individual packaging, avoiding another unnecessary layer of waste.
The Grinch That Stole Christmas – Waterleaf Paper Co, AED 55
Even the Grinch might struggle to find fault with this one! Featuring the famously grumpy green Christmas character alongside Cindy Lou Who, Max and plenty of festive decorations, this gorgeous wrapping paper is guaranteed to raise a smile beneath the tree. But here’s the clever bit: rather than using conventional paper, Waterleaf Paper Co. makes its gift wrap from plant-based cellulose that the brand says dissolves completely in water, leaving no visible residue behind. Printed with water-based inks and made to order in the USA, it’s a fun alternative to traditional Christmas wrapping paper, particularly for little ones who can’t get enough of Whoville. Who knew the Grinch could have a greener side?
Boxfetti Kraft Christmas Wrapping Paper, AED 20
For those who love their Christmas presents looking beautifully coordinated under the tree, this gorgeous wrapping paper from UAE-based Boxfetti is a winner. Featuring little Christmas trees in a monochrome palette, it’s perfect for giving your festive gifts a sophisticated upgrade. Both the paper and packaging are FSC-certified and recyclable, while a cutting grid on the back helps you use only what you need without wasting paper. Each pack contains three sheets, and at just over AED 20, it’s also an affordable way to make your wrapping greener. Add some natural twine or a sprig of rosemary for a finishing touch.
Ruspepa Christmas Wrapping 4 X Paper Rolls, AED 92
If you love the traditional look of Christmas presents wrapped in red and brown paper, these gorgeous festive rolls from Ruspepa are just the ticket. Featuring four different designs, including reindeer, snowflakes, Christmas trees and seasonal greetings, they’re perfect for creating that cosy, old-fashioned Christmas feel beneath the tree. Made from recyclable kraft paper, they’re a more environmentally conscious alternative to plastic-coated gift wrap, while a handy cutting grid on the reverse helps you avoid wasting paper when wrapping those awkwardly shaped presents. With four generous three-metre rolls in each pack, there should be plenty to keep you wrapping well into Christmas Eve.
The Wrapping Paper Extras
Seed Paper Gift Tags
Seed paper is one of the most meaningful ways to turn packaging into something that can bloom long after the festivities are over. Instead of being thrown away, seed-infused paper can be torn up and planted, sprouting wildflowers that help support bees and other pollinators. While full sheets of plantable wrapping paper are still rare, companies such as Little Green Gifts offer beautiful seed-paper gift tags and Christmas cards made from biodegradable pulp embedded with wildflower seeds. They pair perfectly with recycled kraft paper.
We recommend: Christmas Cheer Gift tags from littlegreengifts.com
Plastic-Free Tape
When it comes to eco-friendly gift wrapping, the small details make the biggest difference. Much of the waste at Christmas comes from the laminated tissue, plastic ribbons and conventional sticky tape that prevent recyclable materials from being processed. Switching to plastic-free paper tape transforms your wrapping from disposable to fully circular. Look for biodegradable paper tape or water-activated gummed tape, both of which can be recycled along with kraft paper. These subtle swaps ensure every part of your wrapping can return safely to the earth.
We recommend: Kraft eco paper tape from babipur.co.uk
For the Crafty Sustainers
Upcycled Maps, Newspapers & Magazines
Some of the most striking eco-friendly gift wrapping doesn’t come from a shop at all, but from your own home. Upcycling old maps, vintage sheet music, newspapers, children’s drawings or magazine pages creates one-of-a-kind parcels that feel far more personal than commercial Christmas prints. A Berlin street map, a fashion editorial, a retro comic strip can all become a story. Paired with natural twine or a sprig of greenery, upcycled wrap is chic, sustainable and completely waste-free.
Natural Ribbon Alternatives: Use biodegradable twine, raffia, or fabric scraps to tie up your gifts in an eco-conscious way.
