Tips to GREENER Christmas giftwraps

It’s Christmas Eve and I haven’t wrapped a single gift, have to prepare for my husband’s Christmas family dinner and still make some gifts!  Deep breath…  okay let’s get to work.

I’m doing a paella which is simple enough… sort of… hey its my first time to do it so its a bit of a challenge… wish me luck…

I still have to do a shawl for my mother and mother-in-law, but I need to get in the mood for that, still a few hours for that.  If I run out of time because of some motherly duty, there should be a back-up gift somewhere… again good luck with that.

But the wrapping should be easier, so that task first.

1. Do a family style wrap

It would be best if you also do this for families and friends who understand your intentions.  You not only minimize disposables and at times make the presents larger than life.

2.  Use newspapers

This would be so great when you decide to give recycled / upcycled gifts like those you can buy from Gawad Kalinga or other NGO cooperatives like Tahanang Walang Hagdanan.

3. Minimize the wraps

I am so guilty of this.  Of course, being a florist, my mode of thinking is making even opening of gifts and experience.  Multiple tissue wraps only heightens the surprise, perfectly nestles the gift and really make it special.  Remember Rowan Atkinson (Mr. Bean) in the 2003 movie “Love Actually”, where he would layer upon layer lovingly and with great flourish wrap the tiniest of giftboxes?  That’s how carried away I can get… well sometimes, hehehe

4. Use special holiday boxes

We use special holiday boxes to wrap presents for the family.  Its festive and beautiful enough to use year in and year out.  We not only save on time but money as well, and it looks just as merry, don’t you think?

5. Make your own cards

Of course store bought cards would be more professional and at times more colorful.  But I found making your own gift cards to be more flexible all year through.  I have collected quite a number of stamps which I can use on almost any occassion.  But my favorite are these Christmas themed ones.

6. Even avoid wraps and tie a festive ribbon

I am a great collector of stuff… can you tell? just the slightest? hehehe… and I have saved the most beautiful ribbons that came with the gifts I received through the years.  I try to reuse them in gifts and other projects.  It would be a shame if these ribbons would just end up in the trash, right?

7.  Ask your relatives or friends to resuse or return

This would be tricky if you are not particularly close to them or a bit touchy about certain things.  But this could really work for those who know you and know you only have the best intentions and is not just being stingy or scroogey.

I’ve done this with my prized holiday boxes and I got each of the 10 boxes back.

You can either mention it sweetly or write a small message at the back of the card briefly explaining about returning, etc.  I have a REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE stamp I picked up at Papemelroti a few years back.  I didn’t know how I would use it, but I guess now is just the perfect time.

Merry Christmas, friends!!!

Be happy.  Be Healthy.  Be Whole.

Make the Quaint things count,

Theresa