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I love it when I find ideas from other countries that make life easier! And this year I'm really into Furoshiki fever! Sounds exciting, right? A Furoshiki is a square cloth that is traditionally used as packaging or as a carrying bag, especially in Japan. And I'm using it this year to use more sustainable gift packaging that doesn't end up in the trash. And to make it a double win-win situation (the gift is wrapped, sustainability is taken into account AND the recipient is twice as happy), I had an idea like this:
2in1 gift and packaging in one
Traditional is a Furoshiki Cloth 80 x 80 cm large. This is the perfect size typically used for an adult scarf. And so I thought to myself: “Hey, that’s the perfect combination!” Once the recipient has unwrapped their gift, they can still use the “packaging”.
Which size for the Furoshiki cloth?
The size 50 x 50 cm is perfect for children – a book of this size fits perfectly into it. A cloth that is too small leaves no room for tying. With the large scarves you have to experiment a bit with the protruding ends. Choose a light fabric so that it can be easily knotted. I chose a fluffy cotton muslin that can be worn wonderfully as a scarf. By the way, there are very similar cloths made from gauze for babies. If you don't feel like hemming the fabric with the machine, you can cut the fabric with zigzag scissors – but then it will fray as a scarf.
By the way, napkins that you can buy ready-made are also great for small gifts – of course you can get the scarf too!
You need:
- a square (furoshiki) cloth
- Grind
- possibly a parcel tag
This is how a furoshiki works:
- Place the Furoshiki cloth in front of you and place the gift in the corner.
2. Now roll the gift from the corner diagonally.
3. If you like, you can hammer in the tip again.
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4. Now simply knot the sides together in the middle. It's pretty when you arrange the ends of the furoshiki or push them under the fabric. I simply knotted the ends a second time.
5. For the perfect finish, a loop with a parcel tag can also be tied on.
In Japan, this type of Furoshiki packaging has become increasingly popular (not just for gifts), as it is even being promoted by the government – as an alternative to packaging waste and to protect our environment!
Do you also know such creative ways to wrap gifts?
Here I have a few more tips on the topic of “Christmas without wrapping paper” – of course also for all other gifts throughout the year.
