Reusable Gift Bags

Each year I think about all the wrapping paper that gets used and tossed during the holidays. It makes me shiver thinking about all the trees that went into such a one-off item. Since we celebrate both Hanukkah and Christmas, it is on my mind twice this month. We have the Hanukkah bag that Lindsay opens each night. She doesn’t seem to miss the wrapping paper one little big. I haven’t ever gotten nearly organized enough to make loads of bags for Christmas. I aspire to be that organized, but honestly, I’m just trying to get all my knitting and shopping done in time for Christmas morning.

In case you are as horrified as I am at the idea of using wrapping paper, and you have some time to make beautiful gift bags, here are some links. This link is for the bag you see above. It is beautiful and looks super fancy. Nobody would feel disappointed over the loss of wrapping paper with it. Here are instructions for a much simpler bag.

And here are simple instructions from Japan’s Ministry of the Environment for wrapping gifts using a piece of fabric. How great is that?!? And how many of you have struggled over how to wrap a watermelon. Admit it.