The hustle and bustle of the holiday season
has begun. First on the “to do”
list is shopping. Before entering the store
remember to be a SMART shopper. SMART stands
for Saving Money and Reducing Trash.
 There
are several ways to be a SMART shopper. For
example, consider giving nonmaterial gifts
such as tickets to a sporting event, movie,
play or concert. Or make a charitable donation
in the gift receiver’s name. Another
possibility is to give a gift certificate.
Gift certificates ensure that the receiver
will be able to purchase the item(s) they
need or want. Thus reducing unwanted items
and creating less trash.
An
alternative to purchasing a gift is to make
something — this year have a “homemade”
Christmas. Creating a gift that can be reused
year after year may give the receiver many
special memories of Christmas past. A homemade
gift can also be baked goods placed in a reusable
basket or tin.
Once
that special gift is purchased, or created,
it is time to wrap. Wrapping paper is a great
way to present your gift. To be a SMART shopper
it may take some creativity when you purchase
your paper. Look for recycled wrapping paper
or wrapping paper that can be recycled. Brown
kraft paper is a good choice. It is inexpensive,
recyclable and can easily be made into your
very own work of art. Stencils and stampers
can add a unique touch to your wrap. Newspapers,
especially the comic section, can be used
as wrapping paper and recycled after those
tiny tots are done tearing into their new
toys. Don’t be afraid to save last years
Christmas paper. If you open your packages
carefully you can reuse the paper again the
next year.
To
give your presents more pizzazz you may want
to wrap your gifts in something useful. Fabric,
fabric napkins, scarves or other cloth items
can create a nice presentation at the same
time being extremely functional gift. Another
way to save time and money is to not wrap
at all. Use recyclable corrugated cardboard
boxes and decorate yourself. You may also
place the gift in a decorated bag that could
be reused next Christmas.
Now
your gift is wrapped, topping it with Christmas
garnish is next. Ribbons can add sparkle to
your package, but it can add a price. According
to the Cygnus Group, “if every household
reused two feet of ribbon each year,
the resulting 38,000 miles of ribbon could
tie a bow around the Earth.” Simply
reusing your bows and ribbons from the previous
Christmas can save money and generate less
waste. Decorating packages with natural pinecones
and pine bows can add a beautiful touch.
Gift
tags are the final touch to your gift. They
can be made out of old holiday cards or scraps
from used wrapping paper. Gift tags could
also be eliminated from the package by simply
writing the person’s name on the wrapping
paper.
Christmas
is a perfect time to let your imagination
spark new gift giving ideas. New gift giving
ideas don’t have to cost a pretty penny.
They can be convenient and easy. Good things
don’t always come in small packages.
Good things can come in reusable packages
too.
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