Wrapping paper

I heard that paper that can be screwed up and stay that way can be recycled but if it can’t then it contains plastic and cannot be.
Most glitter cannot be recycled and biodegradable is available but very expensive. I’m going to be a brown paper and fabric wrapper from now on. Scarves are often inexpensive in charity shops so this also is a possibility.

I've started making Christmas stockings. Yes already! Different sizes for presents. I tend to give vouchers these days but I also like the Japanese idea of wrapping things in cloth and there are some beautiful Christmas prints certainly no dearer than some wrapping paper I've bought in the past.

My 23 year old daughter bought this to my attention last Christmas, I've been putting all sorts in the recycling prior to her investigations! I've bought patterned 'paper' wrapping sheets this year, and will try and find some paper tape.

No, neither gift paper nor the cheap sting that we buy with it can be recycled. So you should not put it into the recycling bin.

Brown paper, newspaper and some paper carrier bags are recyclable or you could consider wrapping gifts in cloth.

Just what I was thinking kitty

The thread was started November 2018

Its flipping August!

I like to use brown paper with nice red or green ribbons.

I've wrapped things using a pretty handkerchief for small presents like jewellery - just tied it with a ribbon like a little pouch. For larger items you can use a cheap (or expensive if you want) square scarf.

The reams of brown paper you sometimes get as packing from Amazon is ideal to decorate and reuse. I crochet long tails with red or green wool to tie them up.

Like Monica I reuse wrapping paper and gift bags.

I wrapped presents for my young nephews in red craft paper and using double sided tape stuck hooks covered chocolate coins all over the parcel

Just checked Cheshire East's recycling scheme which says that wrapping paper goes in the recycling bin as long as it doesn't have glitter.

A friend of mine who lives in London, and has access to these things , wraps presents in foreign newspapers. She says the script on Arabic,Indian, Chinese and Greek newspapers look particularly decorative.

Instead of wrapping paper, I've used these small jute bags, packed with some tissue paper, to give gifts in. Cheaper than glittery, non recyclable bags and can be customised with decoration of your choice.

www.islepac.co.uk/gift-packaging/jute-mini-bag-medium.html

Wikos usually has some nice festive print reusable shopping bags in various sizes that make a good replacement for disposable (and un-recyclable) gift bags. Sainsbury's has some smart looking ones too that look like gift bags

If you add a lot of paint or glitter etc to brown paper it becomes unrecyclable.

You can buy paper tape that can go in with the recycling instead of selotape.

Brown paper is very festive, looks so victorian.

I sometimes bypass wrapping paper completely by making part of the present the wrapping (a scarf/tea towel/re-usable bag etc)

I buy packs of 2 red pillowcases (£2 from ASDA ) Good for larger presents or as a Santa sack for several unwrapped small ones. Tied with real ribbon and with a large label cut from last year's Cards, they are totally recycleable. I also use Christmas themed carrier bags from Supermarkets and stores and, for tiny presents, print out designs via the computer on ordinary printer paper - all recycleable.

Brown paper parcels can be made to look very fancy. Last year I used sheets of snowflake stickers from Lidl, but probably made the wrapping non-recyclable . I have started card making recently so this year I shall use stamping, real foliage or die cuts. Lots of good ideas on Google search.
www.google.co.uk/search?q=brown+paper+gift+wrapping&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjGn5af0szeAhUoD8AKHe_5C7sQsAR6BAgAEAE&biw=1340&bih=633

I use white tissue paper - it's useful for lots of things, and I tie with 'real' ribbon which I re-use.

OK, you've convinced me to give it a try. Going to order some from a well known auction site. I did buy some kraft type ribbon from Tigger or whatever it is called. So we will see!!

To quote from the link - thanks SueDonim :

Wrapping paper is often dyed, laminated and/or contains non-paper additives such as gold and silver coloured shapes, glitter, plastics etc which cannot be recycled
Some wrapping paper is very thin and contains few good quality fibres for recycling
A lot of wrapping paper has sticky tape attached to it which makes it very difficult to recycle.

I was under the same impression, phoenix!

Mine says that too Cornergran and that I can understand

Our council says no metallic or glittery/sparkly paper can be recycled, ordinary printed paper can. Guess areas vary

This is a guide to what can and can't be recycled.

www.recyclenow.com/what-to-do-with/wrapping-paper-1

This recycling business is very confusing!