When you are a part of a society where you need to give something on every occasion, it should be wrapped in some artistic envelope and why not make it with old book covers?
I have made several envelopes with various designs using upcycled old brown book covers which were no more useful to anyone. It takes me only a day to design every new envelope.
The things that you require is artistic skill because when you know how to paint a brown paper, then you can create several designs.