Greener Christmas Wrapping

Hi, all. Amazing how busy you get when kids are in school.

A few holidays ago I was absolutely disgusted with the amount of waste our Christmases created (bags and bags of garbage, most of which I don't think was recyclable). So, here are a few of my favorite green Christmas ideas. I'm not including any of my own pictures, but lots of links to pictures and tutorials.

1. Newspaper wrapping paper - All growing up, we knew which presents were from my grandparents because they were wrapped in the comics from the newspaper and tied with brown twine. I loved it, and was a little sad when they swtiched to regular wrapping paper. If you get the Sunday paper anyway (or neighbors do), save the comics (or car ads for Dads, maybe?) and use those. Then take off the tape when they're unwrapped and throw into recycling.

2. Fabric bags and/or furoshiki - Last year I went a little crazy with clearance fabrics. I got a smattering of different colors and weights so I could make gift bags. I've made several of all different sizes (several that fit DVDs, small boxes, large boxes; skinny and square, etc.). I haven't even made them all, but a did make about 10 or so. I LOVE it! LOVE it! "Wrapping" presents takes like 5 minutes, is super easy, and looks elegant. I use heavier weights for bags, and lightweights, like cotton and silky-types, for furoshiki (Japanese fabric wrapping). For furoshiki, just make sure the edges are surged or sewn like a hem to prevent fraying. I've included several tutorials below for different bag types, as well as a furoshiki diagram. Oh, and as a tip, drawstring bags don't work well for bags with large openings; a ribbon tied a few inches down works lots better! Oh, and either of these are fabulous projects for teaching young children or teenagers or friends to sew. The only thing is that if you use these bags for giving gifts, don't expect them back... people really like them.

http://www.makingthishome.com/2008/12/03/easy-fabric-gift-bag-tutorial/

http://www.craftideas.info/html/christmas_bag_tutorial_b.html

http://www.queenoframbles.com/quilting/?p=76

http://angrychicken.typepad.com/angry_chicken/2008/06/furoshiki-cooln.html

3. Make gift bows from old magazines or catalogues - Here's a tutorial on making bows from magazines, old maps, catalogues, etc. Great way to reuse something; easy to make, especially if you have a paper cutter.

4. If you are still really attached to normal wrapping paper, some ideas for reusing them, or using the little scraps that get left over, are: make a Christmas garland, decorate homemade Christmas cards, make Christmas ornaments or wreaths, or use them for paper mache. Even if you don't use wrapping paper, if other people send you something wrapped, use the leftover paper. I'll have more on this kind of stuff another time, with pictures. Here's a description of some different projects.

I hope these ideas are helpful. My favorite are the fabric bags, 'cause they make wrapping a breeze (even Santa loves borrowing ours, since he wants to save the planet too... the North Pole is getting too warm, right?) and, ultimately, they're an investment that pays off in the long run. I also made some we use for birthdays.