Gifts
Gifts are integral to most holidays and special occasions, but take a minute to think before you purchase. Don't buy a token gift that will soon be forgotten just because you feel obligated. Think about what resources it took to make and package the gift and what will become of it after the special day. It's not that you should feel guilty when making a purchase, but it is worth considering where it came from, where it will go, and how it fits into the whole scheme of things.
To Buy or Not to Buy
Gifts made with love can be particularly sweet. Knowing someone made homemade soap or jewelry really adds a personal touch to the holiday or occasion. When shopping, eliminate or reduce the number of plastic bags you bring home. Take along your own bags or double up your purchases by putting them in bags you already have from other stores.
Consider gifts of entertainment or endowment. Tickets to a stage show, sporting event, or a movie don't require excess packaging or wrapping. An evening out might be the perfect gift. Donations to a favorite charity are something to think about, too. A commemorative brick or the care and feeding of a sea bird may be a very special gift for someone who has everything.
When buying a gift, shop green. Look for items that encourage conservation and sustainable living. There are plenty of Web sites promoting sustainable products. Consider buying friends and family canvas bags to take shopping or items made from recycled materials like street signs or old album covers. Chances are there won't be any awkward duplicates with unique recycled gifts.
Do a good deed. Instead of buying a gift for neighbors or relatives, do something nice. Rake their lawn, shovel their sidewalk, or take on another chore. This is particularly nice if they really don't want anything. Some people would rather not be given gifts that they must find a place for or figure out what to do with. This is the perfect opportunity to make frozen meals, put together an emergency kit, give a gift certificate for a nearby grocery store, or make a gift basket of essentials like stamps, envelopes, and pens. Don't forget about photos — put them in a small book or on a magnet or mug.
Look around you. Is there something you have that you know someone would enjoy receiving? Give a decorative bowl from your own hutch or a book from your bookshelf to make a nice gift. This makes for a great opportunity to re-gift too. If you can't return a gift, leave it boxed up and go shopping in your closet the next time you need a gift (no wallet required).
It's a Wrap
You've picked out the perfect gift. Now what? Consider a reusable bag or box to wrap the present. For paper options, try comics, maps, coloring pages, or wrapping made from recycled paper. Use scarves to secure a gift. The wrapping can even be part of the gift, using containers like flower pots and dishes. For gift tags, cut up used greeting or holiday cards so the art on the card serves as the front of the gift tag and write a message on the back. If there is writing on the back, just glue a piece of paper with your message over it.
Wrapping presents has been a custom since the Chinese invented paper making in A.D. 105 In the United States, tissue paper was routinely used to wrap presents. In 1917, the Hall brothers ran out of the traditional tissue paper and sold decorative envelope liners for wrapping presents instead. The idea obviously caught on.
When sending gifts, try to reuse shipping materials like padded envelopes, cartons, and peanuts, and think about how the gift will be sent when you're shopping for it. Smaller and lighter may be easier and greener to package and send. If the gift is staying local, avoid wrapping altogether. Hide the gift and send the recipient on a scavenger hunt to retrieve it.
