Holiday Colors: Red & 'Green'

photo by chatirygirlNow that I am nearly done Christmas shopping I have the unpleasant task of wrapping all those gifts.  I know some folks actually enjoy this process.  Not me.  This perfectionist is highly 'craft-challenged'.  Takes all the fun out of wrapping when you put a lot of effort into making you gifts look nice, but instead they look like latest crumpled up craft project you found in your pre-schooler's backpack.  On top of this, I am finding it harder to ignore my 'green' conscience.  So what is a non-crafty, 'green' mom to do?

Of course I went to the 'net' and read some really great posts on the topic.  Many of the tips involve reusing and dressing up different types of paper other than the chemical latent stuff you can buy by the roll at Target.  These could be great ideas for many.  But, with my limited talents I really hate to imagine how some of these projects might turn out.  Luckily for me, my local grocer is selling very festive reuseable grocery bags.  So I picked up several of these (at a cost comparable to traditional gift bags) for all the 'adult' gifts (e.g. teachers, friends).  It's like giving a bonus gift! 

Since I don't think seeing a whole bunch of grocery sacks under the tree will intensify the Christmas anticipation for my kids, I will probably still have to wrap some gifts.  But this year I will make an effort to use products that are eco-friendly.

You can read another good post on the topic at ecowomen.net.