SIGN-UP FOR DAILY TIPS

COCKTAIL FACT

The tradition of wrapping gifts in decorative paper was started by manufacturers in the 1880s as a way for stores to encourage people to buy their products instead of homemade ones.

SAVE TO MY BITES

FORWARD TO A FRIEND:

RATE THIS TIP:

How useful is this tip to you?
(5 is the highest)

home › tip library › Eco Gifts - Green Home Decor

You heard she fashioned a Christmas tree out of used wine bottles and made it look GOOD. So what do you get that's green and sure to please for the do-it-yours

The Bite

Let your favorite home decorators show off their skills with recycled rugs or all natural furnishings. For extra "Biter" points, try wrapping it all in hemp or recycled paper and tie with raffia ribbon.

The Benefits

Getting great room accessories made from FSC certified wood promotes responsible management of the world’s forests.

Recycled papers and raffia are versatile, stylish, and eco-friendly. It takes 60 percent less energy to manufacture paper from recycled stock than from virgin materials.

Chic hand-woven rugs use industry “scrap,” putting fabric materials to good use and eliminating unnecessary waste.

Wanna Try?

Homestead Weaver Recycled Rugs – reclaimed products, cotton and wool are used to create these ideal rugs (starting at $19.95).

Creative Papers Online – Recycled Paper and Raffia (3 yards, $1.19).

Still haven’t used your Bite Club coupon at Vivavi? Check out their Bamboo Bottleneck Vases ($48). (Put them on the Bow-Tie Table if your “Martha’s” latest decorating scheme involves furniture - $699).

Dec 13,2005

Sponsor

All editorial suggestions in this tip are the result of testing and a preference for the tip topic. No advertiser has paid to have its company referenced in the tip. For more information, please read our Editorial Policy.

SIGN-UP FOR DAILY TIPS

RSS FEED LINKS

Add to My AOL

Add to My Yahoo!

blog RSS feed

RECOMMENDED SITES

Biter Picks:

Founder Faves:

heather

jen

Staff Faves:

toshio

NPR's This American Life

sara

anna

Biter Tee Models

My Favorite Martha Thoughts (but I still hate raffia)

I really don't like raffia. I can't explain why. There is absolutely no logic to my dislike of the stuff. I just don't like it (sort of like I don't like black olives out of a can - no reason, really - just have a general distaste for them).

But other than that, there are plenty of Martha-esque ideas that I do love. Some faves for this time of year:

Wrap gifts in tea towels. Go buy a great cotton dishtowel with a pretty pattern, put a small gift in the middle, bunch up the sides, tie with a ribbon (or raffia, if you must) and viola! Gift wrap with no waste.

Bake or make goodies to give. Unless you are Jen. It sounds corny, but people LOVE fudge.

And because I can't have a whole blog entry that doesn't mention wine:

Buy mulling spices and cheesecloth, put some spices in the middle of a small square of cloth, bunch up the sides, tie with a string (or raffia, if you must) and dangle over the neck of a bottle of wine or spiced rum so that they can make mulled wine or cider.

So, Biters - what are your favorite Martha-esque gifts to give?

-Heather... off to get ready for my close-up... (more information to follow on this)...

Biter Comments...

My favorite tips: If you have a favorite (opaque) article of clothing that has developed a hole that makes it un-wearable, give it a new life by making it into a gift bag. Cut the pretty pictures out of your holiday cards and re-use them as gift tags. Got some orphaned earrings or a broken necklace? Re-string the rocks and tie them on to a gift you've wrapped in an inside-out grocery bag. I think the combo of super plain and extra sparkly is a fun contrast. If you are so frisky as to make your own soap, you can copy the creative folks at Feto Soap and package berry-scented soaps in one of those green plastic containers that berries come in at the store. The grid pattern just begs to have fun ribbon woven through it. Or you could just buy theirs, because it's so damn cute.

Posted by: Carrie | December 13, 2005 at 07:53 AM

Holiday ease... I, too, wrap in paper grocery bags, although I tend to opt for discounted holiday ribbon purchased at clearance prices the year before, accented with gold-foil Santa stickers. I have also found that since the ends of the bags are un-usable as wrapping, they make nice filler for gift baskets when run through the ubiquitous shredder we all must now own. I also recycle large beverage bottles (think blue Arizona Iced tea or Tazo bottles) to package bath salts. The recipe is simple: 1 part Epsom salt, two parts sea/rock salt (Morton Kosher is the easiest to find), a few drops essential/fragrance oil, and if you choose, a few drops of food coloring. Stir it all up in a glass bowl (fragrance can stick to some plastics), pop it into your recycled bottle, add a ribbon and a tag suggesting using 2 tbsp. to 1/2 cup in bath water for a muscle-soothing soak. This is an easy and inexpensive way to gift co-workers and family friends, and let them know you care. Soap is also a wonderful gift! I began making it about 6 years ago, and now get inquiries beginning in August and September, making sure I'm giving it again this year... No problem figuring out what to give the relatives every year... you can give the same thing over and over again to rave reviews! Regarding fudge… if you are like me and only use the candy thermometer for soapmaking, the containers of Marshmallow Fluff have a wonderful fudge recipe that is quick, easy, and never fails to please! Enjoy the Holidays!!!

Posted by: Jenny Paskey | December 13, 2005 at 08:15 AM

An old standby, I'm sure, but I like to use newspaper as funky wrap. The Financial Times is always great with its pink paper, but for some globetrotters I'll buy a paper in French, Italian, Chinese... the possibilities are endless. Out here in Ireland I tend to give a few pressies wrapped in USA Today to those in the know.

Posted by: Beth | December 14, 2005 at 08:00 AM