Despite the series of natural calamities we experienced in the recent months, the stores in Metro Manila are already decorated with Christmas garlands, and yes, radio stations have started playing Christmas songs.
For sure, Christmas this year is going to be a quiet one, and I’d like to think that it is in these trying times that people really reflect on its true meaning. Ruth Carter Stapleton said it best with this quote:
Christmas is most truly Christmas when we celebrate it by giving the light of love to those who need it most.
With all the major adverse events that happened this year, most of them natural disasters, I think it’s high time also that we stop adding more burden to the environment.
Before I proceed, let me just clarify that I am not here trying to make a relationship between the super typhoon Yolanda and global warming. No, I am not an expert. But, in my honest opinion, a freak phenomenon such as this is a serious sign that we should indeed slow down in altering the environment; and show mother nature that yes, we care.
And Christmas, the busiest season of the year, tends to be stressful not only for us but the environment as well. Just think about the rolls and rolls of gift wrapping papers that we purchase each year for wrapping our gifts.
I have gone “green” with Christmas last year by recycling the shopping bags I have collected throughout the years. This year, it’s about upcycled paper bags. I have made prototypes a few months ago, but I tweaked them to fit the actual items inside.
As I mentioned before, I will be using the paper bags that we have been collecting since our city adopted the “No Plastic” policy. I especially like the big ones because when you cut away the bottom part of the paper bag, and then slit one side open then spread it out, it reveals a big wrapping paper!
Just like this:
I prepared these “blank” wrapping papers in advance, and I worked on them during my free time only. That’s why it took me almost a month to make enough “blank” wrapping papers for my gifts, hehe .
Going forward, I dedicated one Saturday morning in October to finally “design” the wrapping papers, with the help of my rubber stamps, and officially wrap my Christmas gifts.
I kept the “design” simple, to save time also.
For my “inaanaks” (godchildren), I stamped their names on the gift wraps for a more personal look (read: para magmukhang labor of love from their Ninang, hehe!).
The other paper bags were used as it were; meaning, I did not cut them up anymore because they fit my gifts perfectly. I just folded the top side of the bag and tied the whole thing with a ribbon.
The ceramic candle holders I bought at Uniwide some months ago were wrapped “burger” style. They do not have boxes to go with, so I covered them with bubble wraps (which are reusable in many ways) before wrapping them.
Washi tapes were also used as embellishments to my simple gift wrap.
I also recycled some shopping bags, for use in bulky gift items. I love, love the “recycle me” stickers from 43 Lucy Blog + Design Shop! Very classy!
I love how everything turned out, at no extra cost to me! It also makes me feel good to have reduced clutter at home by reusing those old paper and shopping bags!
Do you have other practical ideas in wrapping Christmas gifts? How do you show extra care for the environment, during Christmas or all year round? Let’s share bright ideas!
I love the recycle me sticker! I also accumulated a number of paper bags that are just occupying space at home. I’m planning to use them for the remaining gifts I have to purchase. Another idea for the paper bags, I encountered this from another blogger I can’t remember. The blogger printed “don’t get excited, i’m recycled” stickers for the paper bags used as a gift wrap material.
Thank you for this interesting post, Leah. It inspires that you put a lot of thought for the recipient of your gift, as well as for the environment. Cheers!