By Chloe Rhoden
This one is for my sustainable crafters! If you’re like me, you love the ritual of wrapping and dressing a present for someone. Then again, if you’re also like me, it’s hard not to think about the waste of it all. It’s impossible to be environmentally conscious at all times, but it doesn’t hurt to try. This year I’ll be using what traditional wrapping I have left, then switching over to more sustainable options! Each year I try to be more mindful with my gift-giving, both to the recipient and to the environment. Sure, it’s easy (but also nerve-wracking) to drive to the big box store and purchase a generic gift that they might already have, probably won’t use and ultimately get rid of. This is something I think we all wish to avoid; it just takes a little more effort to do so but this article can help you get started!
If you can find a gift secondhand, you’re immediately off to a great start! If you can make it from what you already have, even better! Great second-hand gifts include books, records, movies, video games, anything meant to be enjoyed over and over again. You can find treasures like these at places like Five Forks Antique Mall in Lilburn, Depot Records in Lawrenceville, Game Trader LLC also in Lawrenceville and so on. On the other hand, you can always give the gift of food! If you have a knack for baking, homemade goods are always a lovely gift for just about anyone. It’s also guaranteed to be used; no one throws out a cookie!
Now, for your wrapping as well as bagging, something I’ve been doing this year is saving any paper bags I come across that have minimal to no print on them. This way they can be decorated to your liking! You can save other scraps of paper to fashion paper bows out of them or use twine to tie it all together. You can then draw your own unique holiday designs on the bag or paper. If drawing isn’t your strong suit, you can use a holiday stamp to make a unique print! All of these personal touches will show your thoughtfulness and the person opening it will know it was made with love!
Happy Wrapping!
