Reuse gift bags and tissue paper.

I am probably the cheapest gift wrapper around. In fact, people are lucky to get a card from me!

I would rather put all my money into the gift a person gets than to put money into the wrapping and card that will most likely get thrown away. If I do get someone a card it probably came from a dollar store. I think the price that is charged for gift wrapping and cards is ridiculous.

Don’t get me wrong- I do love beautifully wrapped packages and wonderfully sentimental cards. I am a scrapbooker, so I actually do keep quite a few cards I receive. But most people appreciate these things for a few minutes and then toss them in the trash. FYI- some cards can be recycled, but anything shiny or with glitter can not.

At Christmas time, I am meticulous about recycling the non-shiny wrapping paper, folding the tissue paper up to use later, and saving the bows to reuse. I have a box downstairs that stores all the Christmas tissue, bows, and bags that I will use again to wrap gifts next year. I also have a box for all-occasion gift bags and tissue paper. When I give the daycare kiddos their birthday gifts in gift bags, I always ask them if they want to keep the bag. If they don’t, I put the bag and tissue back into the box to reuse for someone else’s birthday gift. Seeing that gift bag over and over doesn’t bother them!

When I give a gift to someone, I make sure to keep the tag on the gift bag blank, so they can use the bag again as well. If I see them go to throw the bag away, I ask if I can just reuse it. People know I am OCD about recycling and reusing, so it is no surprise to them! Of course, I have saved all the bags I have received to reuse again.

So, next time you need to buy a gift, think about using a gift bag to wrap it, and don’t forget to leave the tag blank so they can pass the bag on!