The wrapping and ribbons, boxes and bows. This is all that remains of all the money spent, thought put into gifts, wrapping carefully done. The kids happily ripped open their gifts, thrilled when Grandma and Grandpa arrived with more goodies. We really try not to go overboard. The kids get 3 presents each from us and 1 from Santa. However, there are also gifts from the grandparents and aunts and uncles.
Overall, we seem to have a far smaller Christmas than most, but still quite impressive. The kids can really enjoy their gifts when they aren't so overwhelmed. When Noah was little, we used to go a little overboard. He never really enjoyed it. He would open a gift and then be irritated that we wouldn't let him play with it, because there were so many more to open.
I've thought for years on the wrapping paper issue. My family has always saved boxes, gift bags, ribbons and the like. We also tend to be rather crafty as well, I keep thinking that we should make fabric gift bags to use for family gifts. My thought was to use up the rather large pile of wrapping paper first. I had a nice box set up to throw all the paper in for recycling. Then Hubby informed me that there was a large sign in front of the paper recycling at the dump prohibiting any wrapping paper. Huh? For whatever reason, it must all be put into the trash. What a waste. I guess the wrapping paper will last virtually forever now, waiting to be used on non-family gifts. Next year I'll be wrapping everything in fabric. Sometimes, I just need a little push. How was your holiday?
7 comments:
I wonder if the prohibition for wrapping paper is because there is so much metallic paper (or partial metallic bits). I know mine won't take anything like that. Foil lined envelopes have to be thrown away instead of recycled.
We have gotten to the point that we give few gifts every year. I've gotten most of the family to stop (except for kids under 18). My kids are now in their 20s so really don't need to be showered with them by their aunts and uncles. When asked for lists they can never even come up with anything.
Daphne, I figured it may also be that they think they'll get too many plastic things in there as well. My kids are still pretty young, so we have a while with lots of gifts. I hate the ones with all the plastic packaging. They drive me nuts.
I tried Furoshki---cloth wrapping-- one year with some success. I used all paper this year b/c our trash co will recycle paper (no metallics though but I don't buy that). Gift bags are another good bet b/c they last a long, long time---we have some that have made it through several Christmases.
I really should try cloth wrapping again. I am not talented at it though, so I end up just getting picked on for doing it b/c it looks like I just balled up my laundry and left it under the tree. Sigh.
FOM, I'm thinking about making my own cloth gift bags. We already reuse the paper ones until they die. I don't think I'm talented enough for the Furoshki either.
I think some wrapping paper is too fragile for recycling, like they prohibit other kinds of tissues.
I'm hoping I see some of my relatives wearing the aprons I made. Then I will REALLY know that my gift giving was a success. I made 3 friends flannel quilts to curl up on the couch with and they all sent me messages after opening them and were excited and had already used them. I tied a fleece blanket for my niece, because someone borrowed hers and didn't give it back. It was the first gift she opened and she unrolled it and spent the rest of the evening under it...then asked me to roll it back up for her and tie the string around it. THAT'S what I'm talking about..not a polite thanks and moving on.
Karen Anne, that could very well be. I really should look into specifics on some of the paper recycling.
Karen Sue, can I be related to you? I would be thrilled to get gifts like that. My mother and I do homemade gifts, but nobody else does and I'm sure they don't appreciate them nearly as much.
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