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!

I discovered the Chico Bag this year and LOVE them! While my green bags are great for grocery shopping, it is the unplanned stop where these small, packable bags come in handy. I have them in purse, glove box and coat pockets. This year, all my gifts are wrapped in Chico Bags purchased at the Green Festival. The “logos” on them say such great things as “Paper? Plastic? Sustainable,” “Conserve Librally,” and my personal favorite, “Compost Happens.” I have a few merchants in town interested in getting their own, branded Chico Bags. (And wouldn’t these be a rockin’ fundraising item? I’d much rather buy a cool, reusable bag with the school logo on it than yet another over priced candy bar!)

I hope you had a Jolly Winter Solstice and I wish you a Reusable Christmas and a Sustainable New Year!

[This post was written by Lee Welles.]