Green Options

The weather is getting colder, and we have a handmade holiday on our minds! Handmade gifts have heart, are better for the environment, and, if you opt to buy, it supports independent artists!

If you want to have a totally handmade holiday, now is the time to get started. Over the next couple of months, we’ll be posting about recycled gifts and giftwrap you can make yourself and great handmade finds for sale!

There are lots of ecofriendly gift wrap options out there if you’re feeling the traditional, paper wrapping thing. If you want to branch out a bit, though, you might try wrapping some gifts this year using the traditional Japanese method furoshiki. Here’s how!

Wrapping paper, gift bags, and tissue paper can be beautiful, but are extremely wasteful.  One no waste option is the art of Furoshiki, the Japanese method of wrapping gifts with a beautifully folded piece of cloth.  Chewing The Cud is making Furoshiki easier and more beautiful.  The fabric gift wrap becomes a gift in and of itself.  

I admit: I may have taken the concept of reusable bags a bit too far. After all, the idea behind them is conservation, right? But I seem to have turned it into a hobby, collecting every cool reusable bag I can find, which I think that may be a bit counter-purpose. But today I discovered both a new bag and a new way to use them, and so I had to share (and purchase a bunch for myself….it’s like an addiction, I tell you!!). Baggu was founded by a mother and daughter team from California. Using lightweight, durable fabric, these little guys fold up easily to keep in your car, glove compartment, even your purse. And in case you thought reusable bags were only good for grocery shopping and carrying your shoes to work in the winter, the creative Baggu ladies give you the best holiday idea ever:

The weather is getting colder, and we have a handmade holiday on our minds! Handmade gifts have heart, are better for the environment, and, if you opt to buy, it supports independent artists! Over the next few weeks, we’re going to be posting about recycled gifts you can make yourself and great handmade finds for sale.

So you’re getting those handmade gifts together, and you’re wondering about green gift-wrap ideas! A pretty basket or other reusable container gives your present a little personality while reducing waste. Fabric gift bags are easy to make and encourage the recipient to reuse the wrapping, instead of tossing it in the trash. The following tutorial is on making a bag for a bottle of wine, but you can change the dimensions to match whatever you’re giving!

The Holiday season is just around the corner, and if you take a gander in any store it will appear that we are already in its midst. For many families, the economy is making us think about saving money this holiday season. We should always be looking for ways to have less impact on Mother Earth. The good news, being green this holiday season will accomplish both.

Here’s how to save money and help the earth this holiday:

[Image credit: Lizerati at Flickr used with permission]

It’s that time of year! There are parties and big meals to plan, gifts to get together, and travel plans to finalize. How is a person supposed to live green during such a busy time of year? This week, we’re going to take a look at ways to have a fabulous holiday season without giving up those Earth-friendly ideals. It doesn’t have to feel like a sacrifice!

[image via BellyBuzz]

Holiday time is coming, and the hunt for green gift-wrapping options is on! I know it’s a little early to be thinking about the holidays, but I couldn’t resist talking about the gorgeous gift adornments from BellyBuzz. These upcycled bows are made from discarded magazines and are perfect for dressing up a gift box. The bows are self-adhesive and are even sturdy enough to use more than once! She’s also happy to do custom orders with whatever color or magazine preference you’ve got.