Green Gifting

All the packages are unwrapped, re-gifted, returned and the New Year celebrated. Here in the US we throw out an extra 25 million tons of trash over the holidays, largely due to packaging. It's funny that we all pay for the paper and bags and ape that will be immediately crumpled and thrown in to a garbage bag. Then we pay someone to come in a big truck and take it all to be buried in a landfill.

Here are some options for saving money and saving the earth regarding wrapping and gift giving.

• Use newspaper and magazine pages instead. Cheap, ugly and frugal right? Maybe you can start a trend! Less clean up! (or be ambitious and use your newspapers to create your own unique wrapping paper - click the link to learn how to make your own paper)


• Use the sports page for a sports fan, comics for kids, etc. By the way, do kids really care about the paper?


• Use other alterantive cloths and products. Power tools, etc, could be wrapped in a canvas tarp! (Every handy person needs a good tarp for projects!)


• You can buy new paint cans and place a gift in there. The paint can can be re-used.


• How about using new dish towels for that chef on your list?

You get the idea! Be cute and creative!

Any small changes you make will help reduce the impact on the environment and save you money!

As requested, here are some tips for re-using some common household items. Paper towel and toilet paper holders can be stuffed with dryer lint and used as fire starters in your fireplace or firepit. Who knew these little items could start a roaring fire? No need to buy wood in a bag at the store or petroleum based "fire starters."

Don't you hate unraveling Christmas lights? You can also use those paper towel rolls or wrapping paper tubes to store your Christmas lights. Cut a slit in the top and begin winding the strand of lights around the tube. This keeps your lights tidy until next year.

Re-use your old toothbrushes as cleaning brushes for small projects...they are perfect for cleaning around the base of sinks, tile and furniture stripping and refinishing.

Here's your energy savings tip for the month: keep your dryer vent clean! A clogged dryer vent is a fire hazard and needs routine cleaning. It also keeps your dryer working more efficiently. If the filter and hose are clogged with lint, the air is obstructed. Remove the filter and lint after each load and periodically check the length of the hose and where it comes out of the house. Here's a hint...remove the dryer filter and pour water on it. If that water does not drain through immediately, it needs to be scrubbed clean with a mild detergent (you can use an old toothbrush!).

Keep those comments coming! If I don't have the answer, I'll find out! In the meantime, turn out the lights!