When I was growing up my father took gift-wrapping very seriously. He used rulers to smooth out wrinkles, get the crispest folds, and the straightest cuts. It was understood that Effort should be put into wrapping presents. It’s sort of funny because he wasn’t really what I would call uptight, that I can remember. But when it came to certain tasks anything less than perfect was not good enough.
I’ve carried that attitude into adulthood. I’ve never really been a fan of the gift bag, somehow it seemed like a cop out. The prettiest presents, to my eye, have always been wrapped in beautiful paper with co-ordinating ribbon. It shows that you’ve put effort into the gift, that the person you’re gifting is important, that you are careful and thoughtful.
Our gift wrap stash
But lately I’ve given up my present perfection, very grudgingly. I’ve filled enough garbage bags full of discarded wrapping paper to know that as lovely as those gifts are, it’s not exactly the most environmentally conscious choice to cover your presents with trimming that will end up in the trash immediately. And so, starting with this past Christmas, I’ve pledged to not buy any more wrapping paper. I am saving reusable gift bags, and boxes, and tissue paper. Really, anything that’s still in good shape and could be used to cover a present is going into a big bin under Hannah’s bed.
The bin runneth over
It’s been hard for me, giving gifts that are less than perfect. I’m working hard to overcome my pre-conditioning, that voice that says that less than the best is not good enough. That I will be looked down on because the tissue paper is a little wrinkly and that gift bag has been around the block a few times before. That somehow my efforts to reduce waste will only leave me looking cheap and tacky and thoughtless.
But I am soldiering on. Because I know that while recycling is good, reducing and reusing are better. The best choice is to consume less, and so in this small way I’m trying. And I’m working to hold my head high as I hand over my wrinkly presents. Hopefully soon I will overcome my childhood conditioning, and feel secure in the knowledge that every little bit helps. Right now, this is my little bit.
My mom, sister, and I all took a pledge to do this exact same thing. We started just in time for Christmas. My mom’s made pillow cases and put gifts in them for years. I kind of like the challenge of thinking differently about wrapping, but I wasn’t raised with the high expectations that you were. Looks like your stash has some good stuff!
Katie
Bravo! When we were snowed in this christmas I found I had run out of wrap so we re-used all the shreds I had saved.
ANother great idea is to recycle all the kid art which comes home from everywhere – grandparents allegedly like receiving presents wrapped thus!
(and all my online stuff goes out wrapped in recycled packaging too – no complaints so far)
We’ve re-used fabric bags for Christmas for years (made of bright holiday cottons, purchased in January sales), but I’ve just started doing birthday presents in fabric this year. I hoped that others would re-use them for gift wrapping, but so far they’ve all gone to preschoolers and it seems like they want to play with them as toys instead. Just as good!
I’ve had a half written post about the bags since December that I’ve never finished . . . and now it’s March! Someday I’ll get to it.
There is nothing wrong with re-bagging. I like pomomama aka ebbandflo’s idea of recyclying kid art. That’s killing two birds with one stone, recycling and adding a personal touch.
And don’t forget to save those old calendars at the end of the year. I’m the same in that, in some instances, I wonder what someone else will think if the parcel isn’t wrapped in pretty paper with lovely bows. However, I have started being brave; I buy and pick up such lovely scenery calendars just to throw them out come December. I have no problem with the purchase, I routinely spend up to $25 on something that I use far more fleetingly than a 12 month calendar. And, depending on the size of the gift, they make absolutely beautiful wrap. Well worth the risk!