June 19th's Tip
Wrapping Gifts: With Father's Day this Sunday, you're probably going to be wrapping some gifts. We all know how much paper and tape can be wasted with gift wrapping, and even if you wrap in a more eco type of paper, such as by reusing wrapping paper or magazine pages, etc., you are still using a lot of tape.
Deborah from Pure Mothers wrote in to us to recommend using the Furoshiki method. "I have been using Furoshiki style wrapping for gifts and forgoing plastic tape with traditional wrapping paper," said Deborah. "It's just a little bit of plastic, but it adds up - especially during the holidays. I've cut up old faded silk curtains and stitched the edging. I've also found cool vintage fabrics at thrift stores to cut into squares." Deborah recommends Instructables for how-to images of different Furoshiki styles (that can even be used in place of grocery bags!).
Want to see some Furoshiki wrapping in action? Here's a great video showing just how easy it can be.
If you can't see the video, view it directly here.
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7 Responses
1
Angie
June 19th, 2009 at 12:12 pm
That is really cool! Another way I save paper and tape is to give gifts in reusuable shopping bags. You can get really cheap ones that are pretty at Whole Foods and plain ones at almost any other store. Its like a gift and gift bag in one! Most are only 99cents too, which is cheaper than some paper gift bags out there!
2
Pure Mothers
June 19th, 2009 at 4:04 pm
Great video you found to go with the post!
3
Mich
June 19th, 2009 at 10:55 pm
Really interesting blog, thanks! Larger furoshiki also make great bags. There are lots of different styles you can try (shoulder bags, handbags, yoga mat bag...) and the beauty is that it just takes moments to untie them, refold, reknot and recreate a new style. Our blog, especially the February and March postings, has lots of different ideas on how furoshiki can be used, if you'd like to have a look. http://myfuroshiki.blogspot.com/
Happy wrapping!
4
monkeys for sale
June 20th, 2009 at 3:28 pm
Very clever! It is something like a mental exercise/puzzle game to remember and execute the way to wrap something. The Aborigines say the more you know the less you need.
5
Wilson Pon
June 21st, 2009 at 2:59 am
Stefanie, thanks for sharing the video clip, where I found it's a very fun and interesting way to wrap the gift here!
6
Penny Auction
June 24th, 2009 at 7:08 am
I liked the video. I felt it's very creative to make bags like this. This will save paper. I feel the best one was the way the books were packed.
7
wrapping mesh
June 24th, 2009 at 8:27 am
Many thanks for a nice video! At last I know how to wrap gifts for my parents myself! Usually I ordered this elsewhere.