Ohio Valley Goodwill Industries
Serving Greater Cincinnati

Eco-Friendly Gift-Wrapping Ideas for the Holidays!

Tired of wrestling with rolls of paper and tape? Let’s talk about more earth-friendly ways to present your gifts this holiday season!

Using items from a thrift store to wrap gifts is a creative and sustainable way to add a personal touch to your holiday presents, and you can get everything you need affordably at Ohio Valley Goodwill! Here are some ideas to get you started:

Fabric Wraps

Use scarves, bandanas, or large pieces of fabric as gift wraps. This not only looks great but also acts as a bonus gift! Look for interesting patterns or textures that match the recipient’s taste.

Festive holiday vase from Goodwill
Festive holiday vase from Goodwill

Vintage Maps or Atlases

Use old maps or atlases as wrapping paper. This can be especially fitting if the gift is related to travel or adventure. Secure the map with twine or ribbon for a rustic look.

Decorative Tins or Containers

Thrift unique tins or containers that can serve as both a gift wrap and an additional gift. Vintage cookie tins, glass containers, metal boxes, or wooden containers can add a charming touch.

Old Books or Sheet Music

Wrapping gifts in pages from old books or sheet music can create a vintage and literary feel. Look for books or music that might hold sentimental value for the recipient to make your gift extra special.

Books from Goodwill
Books from Goodwill

Vintage Bowls

Similar to a gift basket, you can use unique vintage bowls found at a Goodwill thrift store to create a memorable gift wrap! Place small gift items inside the bowl and gather reused fabric or clear cellophane around the bowl, tying it up with twine or a ribbon.

Cloth Napkins

Find cloth napkin sets at Goodwill and use them to wrap gifts, secured with ribbon. You could use solid colors, or look for holiday prints or interesting textures.

Outside of Goodwill Store
Outside of Goodwill Store

Give the Gift of Good this Holiday Season

This year, explore ways to tweak your holiday traditions in a way that does good! Whether it’s getting creative with earth-friendly gift wrapping or gifting unique thrifted items, a few small changes can make a big difference.

Doing good for others in our community starts at Ohio Valley Goodwill. Choosing to shop at Goodwill in Cincinnati not only extends the life of usable items, it also supports Goodwill’s mission to change lives through the power of work. Your purchases help to fund job skills training and other services for individuals with disabilities and our nation’s veterans. What a way to warm hearts this holiday season!