Green Options

Whenever you buy a greeting card it comes with an envelope, whether you intend to mail the card or not.  If you are not mailing the card, then the envelope is really just a waste of paper.  Instead of needlessly stuffing the card into an envelope just give the recipient the card and use the envelope to make a “baglet” for a lovely gift.  Rather than buying a new card at all, consider a makeover for a plain notecard and a used or found envelope to make a gift bag.

While our family is on the light green side of eco living, we really do our best to have a green holiday - particularly when it comes to buying natural, handmade gifts and wrapping and decorating. But it seems as though no matter how green we try to go over the holiday season, my in-laws have the amazing ability to completely undo it with their 10 tons of wrapping paper, battery operated and electronic toys, not to be topped by the tiny little plastic gifts and bags of candy. Basically, it’s like they buy out the entire Dollar Store and stuff it in my kids’ stockings.

What is a card or wrap trap? A waste of resources that eventually cost more than money! Most people spend special occasion and holiday funds on ultimate trash when they buy conventional cards, gift wrapping paper and ribbon. Such items are rarely recycled and cause an excessive landfill burden, especially during December.

Perhaps you’ve noticed gift and holiday supplies proudly claiming recycled, post-consumer, chlorine-free, or tree-free? Sounds nice, but are you confused? Most consumers are when trying to decipher it all. Frustrations peak when claims are misleading.

I feel a little redundant writing about gift wrapping so late in the game; but I’m extremely proud of my own efforts and wanted to share!

For quite a few years I used Sunday Funnies and newspaper. But honestly, they are just a little too ultilitarian looking to spark an “ooh” or an “ahh” from anyone. Last year, as I was shuttling yet another seed catalog to the recyling bin, I realized I actually had an abundance of very pretty wrapping paper! I now save all my seed and flower catalogs and usually use bailing twine as ribbon. My friends and family think its great.

My sister and I have been swapping the same bits of wire ribbon for years now. As ribbon, it is extremely re-usable and can be melded into just the right bow shape. This year, I decided to purchase a bunch of red, felt bows with wire twist-ties on the back. I figure that since I give presents to the same people every December, I’ll collect them up and reuse them next year!