Ally's Birthday Gift

This article over at Feelgood Style got me thinking. They list some really good resourses for recycled or tree-free giftwrap. I wonder, though, if you could take it even a bit further! Why can’t giftwrap be part of the gift? The little fabric pouch pictured above works as wrapping for a gift certificate and has all manner of uses once the shopping spree is done! My mother in law once wrapped my birthday present in a pretty yellow tin. Instead of the wrapping hitting the trash, it sits on my desk holding pens and pencils! Every time I reach for a writing implement now, I think of her.

Of course, sometimes you’re picking up a last-minute present and don’t have time to track down reusable wrapping doodads. Maybe a gift bag is a good choice here? A lot of folks save those and reuse them to wrap other gifts. What earth-friendly ideas do you guys have for wrapping gifts in a pinch?