A few years ago I decided I didn’t want to use wrapping paper. Instead I took a deep-dive into Pinterest and looked up creative ways to reduce waste and wrap gifts. I found so many interesting and beautiful ideas. From reusing brown packing paper and decorating with twine or a sprig of dried lavender or rosemary, to wrapping gifts in tea towels or making beautiful reusable baskets. The gifts were all well received by family and friends but they took time, patience and a little extra money. Now I know that it really just takes some planning, thrifty-ness, and vision. If you have even the slightest bit of crafty creativity you could really have a lot of fun with the idea of useful gift wrapping. I know I sure enjoyed it.
Another way I have reduced, reused, and recycled during the holidays is by simply buying local items. Local honey, soaps, treats, coffee, or anything that I knew my family and friends (even my coworkers) would enjoy! I love doing these types of items especially for stocking stuffers; so easy, unique, and let’s not forget meaningful to the local artisan that made the item. This year I am purchasing a decent amount of toffee from Anytime Toffee as co-worker gifts and family stocking stuffers.
Remember nature is our greatest gift and another way to be mindful during the holidays is by giving the gift of experiences. I know of a family that is completely experience-based! That is their gift to each other every year. They saved all the money that they would have spent during the holidays to go on nature-based adventures and have visited almost all of the United States National Parks. They still decorate for Christmas and do some basic Santa gifts but in place of the bigger items they do a scavenger hunt to announce the next national park they will visit. It’s now a Christmas tradition and the kids look forward to it every year. Such a fun idea!
There are other unique ways to give gifts, maybe even a gift that keeps on giving throughout the year. My brother gifted me a subscription to the Norwegian American Newspaper and I LOVE getting it every month. It is a gift that keeps giving and puts a smile on my face way more than once a year! Are there any local subscriptions that you could gift to your family? Maybe a wine membership? There are literally subscriptions for any type of person that are unique and reasonably priced. It’s time to have fun with gift giving and think outside the box!
Whether you are consciously wrapping your gifts, buying items from local artisans, giving the gift of experience or a fun subscription, I hope you enjoy the process. I hope you enjoy the thoughtfulness that goes into giving gifts. I hope you think about what you ask others for. But mostly I hope you have a very Merry Christmas, all gifts aside.
The Salty Exchange 