The art of furoshiki has its roots in Japanese tradition, dating back centuries. Originally used to wrap clothing, it has evolved into a versatile way to wrap and transport items of all kinds. Today, it embodies elegance, durability and simplicity. And to add an ecological dimension, using rescued fabrics as Gabrielle and Maude do so well, makes your gift unique: the fabric used is available in very small quantities and is also a gift for our planet :)
Furoshiki, reusable and elegant gift packaging
During the holiday season, furoshiki becomes an exceptional wrapping option for gifts. It offers an eco-friendly and elegant way to present your gifts to your loved ones.
Using furoshiki to wrap your Christmas gifts significantly reduces the amount of waste produced by traditional packaging, while adding a touch of sophistication. Each fold and knot becomes a fleeting work of art, bringing personalized attention to the person who will receive it. By using furoshiki, you are giving a gift within another gift, as the fabric itself can be reused time and again.
What you need:
- And furoshiki and that's it!
If you don't want to buy furoshikis, use what you have on hand:
- A dish towel
- A pillowcase
- An old sheet or t-shirt
- Any fabric with which you can form a square.
Step 1: Fold the “non-square” fabric into a square
The first essential step in the art of furoshiki is to start with a square cloth. If your piece of fabric is already in square format, you can move on to the next step!- Fold the fabric so that it forms a triangle by aligning two opposite corners.
- Fold: Take one corner of the triangle and fold it inward to create a crease parallel to the base of the triangle.
- At the end of this step, your fabric should look like a square with a folded triangle underneath.
Step 2: Choose your favorite style
The furoshiki offers a multitude of possibilities, from the simplest folds to more complex origami techniques. Let your creativity flow and choose the style that inspires you the most. The main goal is to enjoy yourself and have fun while creating your furoshiki wraps. So, be creative and have fun!
Here are some inspirations:
- How To | Furoshiki - Japanese Gift Wrapping (part 1)
- How To | Furoshiki - Japanese Gift Wrapping (part 2)
- Packing a garment ⬩ Furoshiki ⬩ Knot-free folding
Step 3: The finishing touch!
One of the beauties of the furoshiki lies in its versatility and ability to be personalized for every occasion. To add an elegant touch to your packaging, consider incorporating natural elements. Fresh flowers, eucalyptus, fir branches or dried oranges can be beautiful and minimalist additions as you can see with the photos below:
For children, we offer you a Next Chance packaging solution, which is similar to traditional gift wrapping and acts as if furoshiki replaced wrapping paper. Instead of putting tape, wrap a jute rope around the furoshiki and clip a Next Chance reusable gift bag that has a clip on the back. It’s our favorite way to recreate the look and fun of disposable wrapping paper… while being eco-responsible.
5 reasons to switch to furoshiki!
Are you still hesitating to exchange the gift wrap for the furoshiki? Here are 5 reasons that will convince you!- Economy: Over time, purchasing furoshikis can be more economical than constantly purchasing disposable wrapping paper.
- Versatility: A single square of fabric can be used to wrap a wide variety of gift shapes and sizes.
- Easy to transport: Furoshikis are easy to transport, as they fold compactly and do not tear.
- Gift within a gift: The fabric used to wrap the gift itself becomes a useful or decorative gift.
- Saves time: Once you master basic folding, wrapping with furoshiki can be faster than cutting and piecing gift wrap.
THE furoshiki offers much more than just an alternative to traditional paper gift wrapping. It is an invitation to embrace a Japanese tradition while reducing our ecological footprint. Furoshiki embodies elegance, durability and creativity, bringing a personalized touch to every gift you give.
The simplicity of this method, combined with its versatility and ability to adapt to all occasions, makes it a packaging solution that is as practical as it is aesthetic. It's time to say goodbye to wrapping paper waste and say hello to a more eco-friendly way to give gifts!
