I hate wrapping paper. I stink at wrapping gifts and the stupid wrapping paper always tears. Please don’t tell my kids I said stupid. I re-wrapped gifts I don’t know how many times because the corners kept tearing. I finally gave up and patched them with tape. I’m sure no one noticed but if they did, I’m over caring. Every year I get tired of the paper waste of wrapping gifts all pretty and then throwing it away within days, not to mention it’s quite expensive if you don’t get it ahead on clearance the holiday before. Here starts my quest to be a little greener but still on budget.
Next year is going to be different. I have some gift boxes I forgot about this year but other than that I am planning to make gift bags and use them. First step? Buying Christmas material as it goes on clearance. Next step, stocking up on fun ribbons and decorating items that are not another throw away.
I am starting with utilizing after Christmas clearance offers. From fabrics and ribbons, ornaments and other knick knacks,I have already started my budget friendly quest. Plus, I am going with as many holiday neutral colors as I can find so birthday gifts can be bedazzled with clearances in the holiday aisle.
We have a birthday party to go to today and this is the grand start to my greener AND budget friendly gift wrapping. I purchased a fuzzy throw, on clearance at $2.48. Cut it down to size and sewed up the sides. No sewing machine? You can just cut it out and gather it up into the middle. These bags can be re-used for toys, taking things on the go, or wrapping another gift.
In the clearance holiday wrapping I found a green, blue, rainbow, and pink spool of curlicue ribbon – NOT green but $1.34 and able to be used for quite a few gifts, plus some cute little fairy ballerina ornaments – also not green but I think they are a little greener than stick ’em on ribbons since they can be re-used. I bought a pack of 12 for $1.50.
The fuzzy blanket will be good for around 3 medium to large gift bags and 2 small ones. The curlicue ribbon for 4 gifts, and the fairy ballerinas for 12. I paid a total of $5.32 for something that would usually end up being around $18 – IF you bought the gift bags at the dollar store. Plus I have a classy looking gift wrapped for a little princess.
I like the feeling of one less wad of paper going into the trash, one gift looking much better wrapped, and giving a gift wrap that is almost completely re-usable while being well within my budget and just a little greener. While I am not making New Year’s Resolutions, this helps my life goal of becoming more environmentally friendly.
What ways do you try to make gift giving a little greener or more budget friendly?
What a great idea! I usually stock up on wrapping paper when it goes on sale – but it ends up taking up valuable space to store…and then there’s that whole ‘waste’ factor, too. I’m going to have to start utilizing your great ideas instead! 🙂
The creative gift bags are a cute idea and can be reused. I try to always buy decorations and such when it goes on sale. I see no reason to pay full price when they bring the same stuff back out next year. Most of my party gift wrap came from a Hallmark store that my going out of business. My kids love wrapping gifts.
I *always* recycle gift bags! The trick is a) not to let them get ruined and b) not to regift the same bag to someone, unless it’s a young child – they don’t care! That’s tricky though…
I am working on a creative gift wrap post and this is one of the things I list. Unless it is super unique I wonder if people even remember they gave it to you.
The cost of wrapping (and waste factor) drives me nuts. I have been doing some butcher paper wrapping, but I will look for some towels on sale…that is cute. Would make good treat bags for a party, too!