I get the most joy during the holiday season seeing other folks open the sentimental gifts I got them (rather than the other way around). Gift-giving is my love language. I find great joy in searching for the perfect items, and hoping the recipient loves their gift. However, somewhere between the buying and the opening, there is one job that isn’t my favorite: the wrapping.

I’ve been known to toss gifts into festive bags, or give my husband stacks of boxes to wrap as he watches sports. However, this year I’m trying to elevate my packaging by heading to the thrift store. Yes, wrapping paper and gift bags are readily available there, but I’ve recently discovered that an unexpected part of the store is where the real holiday magic happens. I’ve taken to buying vintage fabric squares by the dozen — and it’s transformed my gift-giving game.

Not only do these small squares pack a punch in the decorative department, but they’re also a great way to avoid wrapping paper waste while packaging things sustainably. It’s similar to furoshiki, a traditional Japanese fabric wrapping cloth used to wrap many different things. Plus, some of these cloths I buy can be repurposed as gorgeous scarves. This year is a great time to get on board with this age-old concept. Here’s how.

If you’re willing to do a bit of digging, you’ll find squares of fabric tucked into several different areas of your local charity shop. Head to the women’s clothing section to browse through the scarves. Skip the bulky winter ones and opt for lighter-weight silk or polyester versions, which are often square.

If you don’t spot scarves with Christmas motifs, look for holiday-centric colorways to enhance your gifts. Pocket squares from the men’s section are helpful if you strike out in the scarf section; they’re just the right size for smaller things.

Next, peruse the housewares section for a peek at the fabric napkins. Thrift stores are overrun with mismatched napkins, which are ideal for perking up a gift. Search for solid color, plaid, and floral patterns. While you’re in the textiles section, check for tea towels. Vintage patterns are charming and often feature travel-centric themes or annual calendars bursting with color.

Another good area to check is the crafting section, where you may see unfinished quilting projects. Someone’s castoff can be your treasure trove if you discover a stack of quilt squares. In a pinch, you can even pick up unused fabric and cut it to suit your gift-giving needs.

After you’ve collected all the squares of fabric you can find, you’re ready to add a bit of panache to your holiday gifts. As a bonus, many serve as an extra gift for about what you’d pay for a gift bag. 

One of the simplest ways to bundle up a gift is to use the fabric as you would wrapping paper. Pick an appropriately sized square, place your boxed item in the center, and secure the loose ends by tying. Add a sprig of evergreen or holly, and you have something perfect for displaying under your tree.

Beyond thinking outside the box, you can also think inside the box, as fabric can secure fragile or tiny things in a container before wrapping. For example, if you’re gifting a pair of vintage earrings, you can fold them securely into a pocket square to keep them from shifting in the box. Fabric can also muffle sound, which will help throw off avid gift-shakers. (And pocket squares are so classy.) 

When putting together a gift basket (don’t forget to get them secondhand while you’re thrifting), place a vintage square in the base of your container before adding other contents. The fabric will protect the items while providing a bit of color, and, once again, an extra gift. 

If you’re headed to a party and taking a host gift of a bottle of wine, cover it with a tea towel or festive scarf to add an element of surprise. That way, your hosts will know what it is and can decide whether to serve it at the event or set it aside for another day. Plus, they get a gorgeous tea towel out of it!