Whenever I forget to take my reusable grocery bags to the grocery store with me, (which for some reason has been often lately, I think I need to keep them in my car!) I use paper grocery bags. I’ve been at peace with my forgetfulness lately, because I am going to use the bags as wrapping paper this Christmas! I am determined to be as wise with our money as possible this Christmas season, so this will help us save. If you have not been collecting grocery bags, you can also by brown kraft paper or shipping paper by the roll, it is very inexpensive made from recycled materials!
Another frugal and environmentally friendly way to wrap gifts is newspaper! I think some black and white, newspaper-wrapped gifts under my tree to break up the brown would be beautious! I plan to make them special with some shimmery, thick, black wire ribbon. Speaking of beautious, check out the bottles below wrapped in newspaper. They cut the excess paper at the top into strips and curled it! This idea came from a really great book called “Simply Green Giving” by Danny Seo. I found his book at the library, it is full of awesomeness.
I plan on putting my 3 little artists to work, I can’t wait to see what they come up with! My oldest and I have already discussed some art ideas she wants to do. She wants to use black paint and make a stick tree with lots of twigs, then add silver little circles as leaves! Isn’t that brilliant? She is so great. The other two I’m sure will get busy with their silver glitter glue, stamps, markers, and stickers.
It’s gonna be fun!
*Update: To see the finished products, click here!
A post on package toppers is next so stay tuned!!
Jennifer
May 6, 2010 at 2:40 pmI really enjoyed your pieces on brown paper bag wrapping paper and the use of mason jars. I do both of these things as a way to reduce my waste. WHile I’ve long since switched to grocery shopping with cloth bags, I do have many brown bags from back in the day that I’ve kept. We’ve been using them as wrapping paper for some time now. My son likes to be creative and show off his art work on the presents. And, once opened, the paper can then be recycled!
We also use mason jars for foods. This way we are able to shop in the bulk section of the health food store, reducing the amount of packaging that we’re throwing away. And, many health food stores supply free glass jars in their bulk sections to encourage people to be more environmentally aware. Free and beautiful in the home!
Amy@NewNostalgia
November 20, 2009 at 3:07 pmI know, right?
My 3 girls have been very busy the last 2 days making our brown bags pretty.
I gave them silver, black and red paints, markers, glitter glue, etc.
Told them the theme is round, talked about patterns and how wrapping paper usually has them, and let them get creative. Can’t wait to share what a great job they have done!! It’s kept them busy for hours!
SnoWhite
November 20, 2009 at 2:44 pmthis is my favorite wrapping paper!!