I no longer use paper wrapping for gifts. I make bags instead.
A couple I even used quilt blocks. I have made them as small as gift cards and as big as a kitchen aid mixer. Sometimes I just hem a piece of fabric and use that or a odd shape package.
A chunk of fabric, torn to size sewn on 2 or three sides depending where the fold is. One more piece 3-6 inches matching the size of the opening of the bag. The variation is 2 pieces to match half the size of the bag opening. These are the casings.
1 casing: fold over short edge and stitch. Fold in half and press.
place edge in the middle of opening matching raw edges (this is where the bow will be tied). Stitch.thread ribbon through. Ribbon length just needs to match the opening of the bag and just a little more.
2 casings: fold over short edges and stitch. Fold in half and press. place edge at seam, matching raw edges, repeat.
thread ribbon through casing all the way around to where you started. Go to other opening and thread all the way around.
You have a self closing bag now. fold over top casing. Before stitching sides(fold at the bottom)fold over 4 or more inches of top of bag and press. Right sides together, stitch from bottom of bag to fold mark, repeat other side. Press seam open. starting at top of the bag stitch seam allowance, pivot down at bottom of stitching and stitch back up to top. repeat. Press 1/4 inch of top, fold the edge to the stitching edge and stitch around. There should be a casing.
Casing openings are where the ribbon, string or yarn goes.
However you can make a bag with a casing works. There is no bad bag because the pattern or plan is in you head.

These are just two ways to add casings. The options are great with contrasting fabric. The bag tops can just be pinked and no casings used. If raw edges don't bother you, you can not hem edges. They bother me.
You options are great for adding the casing, contrasting fabric.

Sorry if this is confusing, I am typing when I should be in bed.
do a search online for "sewing cloth bags or sewing a casing to a bag.

Do you have any pictures? This is difficult to understand.

sorry, no pictures. Goggle, making a drawstring bag.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_5sx28m4b8
here is another easy quick gift bag to make...you can use small, medium or large bags....and you can use a glue stick instead of the seam a steam.

Great idea. I hate all the wrapping paper waste!

That sounds like great wrapping to me. Thanks.

I totally agree!!!! My husband never have presents wrapped so he insists that everything is wrapped...such a waste of paper.

I've received presents wrapped like this and I don't know what turned me on more- the gift or fabric!!!