Recycled Gift Wrapping

Since we're getting closer to Christmas and Hanukkah, that means that our holiday shopping *should* be almost done, and it's time to wrap!

I decided to do my wrapping as simply and cheaply as possible, while of course staying planet-healthy. The only things I bought were two kinds of ribbon - cheap, and don't take much space in the trash after the holidays are over.

What do you think?


For the paper, I used colored comics (always fun), plain brown paper and white tissue paper that were padding in a package I received.

I used some of those plastic bag pom-poms from before and my two kinds of ribbon in different ways - I love the overall look, and it is a fun and easy way to wrap. No wrapping paper needed!

Hope you like my easy, chic, and cheap gift-wrapping!

Gift Idea: Adopt-an-Animal

This is the time of year when every blog, newspaper, magazine, and website puts out gift lists. Guess I'd better get on that bandwagon. Well, maybe not an entire list, but here is one gift idea that I always advocate: Adopt-an-animal.

There are many organizations and companies that have programs like this, and here's the basic idea: you donate a certain amount of money to a wildlife conservation organization. They use that money to help protect and conserve the specific type of animal that you choose, and you get a certificate, information, photo, and often a stuffed animal toy of your "adopted" animal.

This is such a great gift because while there is an actual object - the stuffed animal - there is more meaning to the gift than "just another" toy. And it is appropriate for any age! If you have a young relative, this is a great way to give them a nice toy while also setting a valuable example by donating to a worthy cause in their name. How great would it be to build a stuffed animal collection that had so much good will and eco-friendly meaning behind it? It's great for adults, too - pick a friend's favorite animal and donate to that cause - they will love the information and photos, and will truly appreciate your caring and effort.

I have been given an "adopted" animal as a present before, and it would be a great gift again and again! It's a nice alternative to more meaningless "stuff".

A couple of good sites that list TONS of options for species to adopt include:
Defenders of Wildlife
and
World Wildlife Fund

If you're having trouble thinking of gifts to give this holiday season, consider an adopted animal. You'll feel great and so will the lucky gift recipient!

(above: red panda - how can you resist?!)

Wish List: Crochet Alpaca Butterflies

Everyone loves the beauty and simplicity of butterfly wings. It is only natural to want something so gorgeous as a decorating element in one's house. But dead, formaldehyde-infused insects on my walls? No thanks.

That's why I instantly fell in love with these crochet butterflies from Oeuf NYC.


Not only are they detailed and beautiful, but they are hand-made by indigenous women in Bolivia and fair-trade sold to help their children go to school. Even better!

They are a little pricey for my normal shopping range, but maybe someday I'll get them as a present. If not, I can just admire them from a distance.

Faux-nature at its best!

DIY Recycled Holiday Wreath

Craft alert!
I like to make easy, pretty things...and when those pretty things come from used, recycled things, even better! I found a great example of pom-poms/flowers made from plastic grocery bags (no matter how diligent I am at shopping with my canvas totes, they always sneak up on me anyway).
I made a few myself, and found them to be easy, quick, and really cute:

The blog uses them as gift toppers, which I think I will use this year, but I had a different idea:

I made this wreath from braided newspaper, made a bow from a grocery bag, and attached 5 grocery bag flowers (directions below). 100% recycled, no-impact, and a great holiday decoration that won't wilt or dry up! I'm thinking about adding origami cranes made from junk mail...what do you think?

To make this wreath:
1. take several sheets of newspaper and roll them into long, crumpled tubes. I used 6 pages for this wreath, but more sheets will make a larger diameter wreath.
2. With three of the tubes, start braiding them (don't worry about making it too tight). Once you get close to the end of a tube, overlap a new tube with it and keep braiding. Repeat until the braid is as long as you want it.
3. Form into a circle and secure using a leftover grocery bag handle from the flowers.
4. Attach as many bag flowers as you want by threading the handles of the bag through the braid and knotting at the back.
5. The bow is made from a plastic bag using the same technique as the flowers, but stopping before cutting apart the loops.

Enjoy!