Wrapping gifts is an art, and
furoshiki
is a good example of this.
But here comes the problem: the haters. That there is haters of gifts, we already know that; but what we may not know is that there are also haters of wrapping (and they are reproducing): that it is consumerist and polluting, that why so much paper, that just because it’s Christmas they make it more expensive…
And it pains me to say this, but they are right. And if you are one of them, I dedicate this post to you.
What is the meaning of furoshiki?
For starters, and so you don’t get a Japanese look on your face,
furoshiki
is composed of
furo
(bath) and
shiki
(ceremony). Bathroom Ceremony? Bathroom for a ceremony? What does this have to do with gifts?
Well, it all has to do with the Japanese, who as early as the 18th century had the custom of going to the public baths to wash themselves.
The photo is not fake, it is real. And (aside from many questions that you may be thinking of right now) you may be wondering where the clothes were left. Well, I will tell you that they did not leave it in a closet or a locker as they do today, but wrapped it in a cloth cloth.
And this way of packaging was called
furoshiki
because it is the ceremonial they used to do before taking a bath.
Now it’s all coming together for you, huh?
But what is the furoshiki technique?
Over time, you can imagine that things have been evolving in every way (I hope). And nowadays, many Japanese people use this technique to wrap gifts, and to be environmentally friendly.
How? Using sustainable and reusable fabrics. Call them grabby, but I think it’s a super original custom and, besides, it looks great!
What type of fabric is used for furoshiki?
Depending on what you are going to give as a gift and what shape it has, you should choose one fabric or another. And keep in mind the size of it (yes, size matters too), if you don’t want to get a “ruguño”.
I could tell you that the ones they usually use are silk, cotton or polyester, but since I know you’re likely to grab the first thing you find around the house (which is fine with me) and you won’t know what kind of fabric it is, it’s useless.
Keep in mind that the goal is not to consume, so don’t go to buy fabrics at the
Zara Home
you scoundrel.
But what if the paper was also a gift?
You are more ingenious than the Japanese, eh?
Of course, there is no better way to justify our problem with purchases than by saying that we will also give away the fabric.
Relax, it’s just to get into the role of hater (let’s remember that this article is for them).
The best non-consumerist option is to reuse a kitchen towel that you no longer use, an old pashmina or scarf, a fine bedspread, etc.
Do you want to know how they wrap gifts in China or Japan?
They usually use red (bright), which for them symbolizes the holiday, although there are also many other colors.
One color that will surely not be used is white, because for the Chinese, for example, it symbolizes death and mourning (unlike for us).
The art of gift wrapping
It is called
furoshiki
. And no wonder, since today it is a highly complex mission to find packaging that does not contain plastic or is biodegradable.
Undoubtedly, wrapping gifts with fabrics (especially if they are recycled) will have a minimal impact on the environment and, for sure, on your budget.
Furoshiki gift wrapping ideas
You can see some videos here:
How to wrap a circular gift step by step
.
How to wrap square gifts without tape
.
How to decorate a furoshiki gift
.
Become an influencer
Did you think someone could become a mega-influencer by teaching you how to fold clothes or how to tidy a kitchen cupboard? Well, there you have
Mari Kondo
(and Japanese!).
I say no more. This is your moment. And the time is this Christmas.
PS: if you see that you don’t have a gift, here are some ideas.
If you’re looking to design a purposeful space, read the section on House Coaching™.
