Wrap it up ...

The U.S. Postal Services recommends that packages be sent out no later than December 15th to ensure that all those green gifts (you did go green, right?) reach their destination on time. Even if your packages are staying local, you'll probably be thinking about wrapping soon. So here are a few tips on boxing, wrapping, and sending those packages in a earth friendly way:

Boxing

• Many gifts don't need to be boxed at all. Things like books, games, tool boxes, etc., can be wrapped as is.
• Make the box part of the gift ... for example, a tin bucket makes a great container for garden tools. Giving kitchen items? Wrap them up in a roasting pan.
• Use cereal, pasta or salt boxes ... just give them a good shake to clean them out.
  
• Check under your bed ... I'll bet there are some previously used boxes from years past under there.
• Check with shoe stores ... many of their containers get recycled or tossed out.
  
• Need to add some packing inside the box? Rather than use those Styrofoam "nuts", which are totally bad for the environment, try using popcorn (popped, hold the salt and butter), peanuts in the shell, or hard candy (wrapped). Recycled paper also makes a great filler ... as do rolled up t-shirts or socks.
  

Wrapping

• Got maps lying around? They make great, colorful wrapping paper ... and if care is taken, they can be folded up and used as ... well ... maps. Here's a fun idea ... use a bright pen to "map" out some fun places for your recipient to visit.
• Make the wrapping part of the gift. Dish towels work beautifully ... as do colorful scarfs. Ties can be used to "tie" up the package instead of a ribbon. For kids gifts try cute T-shirts, shocks or knitted hats.
  
• Use leftover wallpaper or drawer liner.
• Instead of a bow, how about a compact fluorescent light bulb. Now there's a bright idea.
• Speaking of bows, look out your window for package decorations ... a sprig of holly, a cluster of pine cones or a display of winter flowers. Your yard may be a treasure trove of beautiful ornaments.
  
• Check the library (they sometimes toss out or give away items), thrift stores and Good Will for books and magazines. Look for ones with colorful pages and interesting patterns ... and use them as wrapping.
  
• Do you get catalogs or holiday fliers? Look closely ... they may be the perfect holiday paper.
  
• If your house is like mine, you have a few pillow cases around that seem to have lost their mates. And who wants to put mismatched pillow cases on their bed (oh how gauche). Use these as gift bags ... and if they are a little too big ... trim them down.
• Need gifts tags? Cut them out from the Christmas cards you received last year. Another idea ... use old photos and write on the back of them ... not only will you be reusing an item which has probably been sitting in a drawer, you'll be passing on wonderful memories.

Sending

• FGX is a shipping company which is undertaking a year-long effort to make its operations greener. And that's not all ... they promise to get your packages to their destinations in a faster, cheaper and greener way. Check them out at http://www.fgxusa.com/ .
• Plan ahead ... I've read that using ground transportation is more environmentally friendly than using overnight services. It's a lot cheaper, too!
• If you're giving gifts to friends and family close by ... hand deliver them. Who knows ... maybe you'll get a hot cup of cider or mulled wine for your efforts.

And finally, these ideas:

• Keep any boxes you receive for future use.
• If you use ribbon, regardless of the package size, measure out enough to wrap around an average box ... perhaps a shirt or sweater size box. That way, your recipient can save it and use it again.
• Carefully remove paper ... and reuse it.

"Wrap it up" green and it'll be a very bright Christmas!

As always ... I'd love to hear from you!

Become an activist

In September we went to the fair. It's a lovely little fair ... full of community, family and "old timey" values. It's also full of Styrofoam food containers, garbage bins but no recycle bins (that we saw) and very few vegetarian/vegan food options. Call me crazy but ... it seems to me that a festival which celebrates agriculture, farming and "back to basics" lifestyles ... should be green.

My first impulse was to accept things as they are ... going green isn't always financially agreeable to organizations and as for the veggie food ... well, one doesn't go to a fair expecting to eat anything healthy. But then again ... maybe no one has asked the fair organizers to go green, letting them know that it's important and that people are watching ... and maybe people don't expect veggie food because it isn't offered.

The more I thought about it ... the more I needed to take action. So ... I searched the Internet for the names and email addresses of the organizers. Then I wrote very polite letters to them, thanking them for all they do and telling them what I enjoyed about the fair. Next, I suggested some easy changes ... putting out recycle bins .. encouraging their food vendors to discontinue the use of Styrofoam ... encouraging more vegetarian/vegan food options.

And guess what ... they wrote back. They told me of the green efforts they make behind the scenes. They said that they had a few recycle bins out but would put out more of them in prominent places. They said they would be happy to include more veggie food vendors and asked me for suggestions of restaurants which may be willing to attend (which I gave to them). They didn't address the Styrofoam issue but ... the seed has been planted.

Here's the point ... if we respectfully voice our concerns, maybe things will change. At the very least, it will let businesses and organizations know that it's important to the population ... to their customers. It will plant the seeds of change.

I'm hoping that next year, when we attend the fair, we'll see a lot of "green" going on. And if we do, I'll write more letters ... thanking them for their efforts.

So I challenge you ... write a letter ... make a call ... let your voice be heard. Congratulate those who are making efforts and make suggestions to those who can do better. Become an activist and make the world a better place.

As always ... I would love to hear from you!