We give each other a lot of books (much better than socks) and I started reusing those Amazon envelops, decorated with fun stickers, for easy wrapping. Some books are new (and used — library book sales, book fund-raisers, etc.). Some are just recycled within the family. I put them out in a pile and everyone grabs one. Trades are allowed if you have already read the book. The idea is to read them and pass them on. When Christmas ends up being just one or two small grandchildren and the rest adults, this keeps the present quantity somewhat balanced — everyone has something to open and we all aren’t just watching ‘the kid’.
No real gift exchanges in my family. It’s been checks or cash in a Christmas card for years. Somebody did a poor job shopping once, and it was all “I’d rather buy it myself” from then on. Sad.
We buy Christmas/birthday gifts for husband’s 2 nieces – aged 12 and 20 – and he will buy gifts for himself for Christmas/birthday. If we are lucky we don’t gifts from his sister and BIL.
No other gifts bought or exchanged. My niblings are in late 20s/early 30s so don’t buy them or our sisters/BILs or my mom any gifts. I have worked hard this 40 plus years convincing him that I don’t want anything, it is a waste to buy me anything, and I will return anything bought. This was especially hard to do with all the TV shows and movies in which the new husband finds out the hard way that the wife does not mean it when she says not to buy anything for her and I had to convince him that I was not playing games – I only say what I actually mean.
Problem with reusing bows is that they always look like garbage after sitting in storage – squashed and falling apart. Easier not use them – a piece of curling ribbon tied around the box both ways and the ends curled is much is easier and cheaper to deal with for nieces’ gifts and much easier to store.
Templo S.U.D. over 2 years ago
Three times with that bow.
Johnny Q Premium Member over 2 years ago
In my family we reused wrapping paper on successive Christmases!
juicebruce over 2 years ago
Nothing wrong with recycling ! I use newspaper for wrapping paper on gifts ;-)
GreenT267 over 2 years ago
We give each other a lot of books (much better than socks) and I started reusing those Amazon envelops, decorated with fun stickers, for easy wrapping. Some books are new (and used — library book sales, book fund-raisers, etc.). Some are just recycled within the family. I put them out in a pile and everyone grabs one. Trades are allowed if you have already read the book. The idea is to read them and pass them on. When Christmas ends up being just one or two small grandchildren and the rest adults, this keeps the present quantity somewhat balanced — everyone has something to open and we all aren’t just watching ‘the kid’.
raybarb44 over 2 years ago
Not really. I pull them off after each use…..
Kawasaki Cat over 2 years ago
Why throw away a perfectly good bow when it can be reused with a piece of tape?
Impkins Premium Member over 2 years ago
Lovely Christmas tree Rick!!!!!!!!!! :)
Surly Squirrel Premium Member over 2 years ago
No real gift exchanges in my family. It’s been checks or cash in a Christmas card for years. Somebody did a poor job shopping once, and it was all “I’d rather buy it myself” from then on. Sad.
mistercatworks over 2 years ago
I think there is a similar test for re-gifted fruitcakes – something about diffusion lines from every fresh addition of brandy before passing on. :)
tung cha cha cha over 2 years ago
Some bows are just too special to discard.
DaBump Premium Member over 2 years ago
Ah, it’s been a long time… brings back memories.
mafastore over 2 years ago
We buy Christmas/birthday gifts for husband’s 2 nieces – aged 12 and 20 – and he will buy gifts for himself for Christmas/birthday. If we are lucky we don’t gifts from his sister and BIL.
No other gifts bought or exchanged. My niblings are in late 20s/early 30s so don’t buy them or our sisters/BILs or my mom any gifts. I have worked hard this 40 plus years convincing him that I don’t want anything, it is a waste to buy me anything, and I will return anything bought. This was especially hard to do with all the TV shows and movies in which the new husband finds out the hard way that the wife does not mean it when she says not to buy anything for her and I had to convince him that I was not playing games – I only say what I actually mean.
Problem with reusing bows is that they always look like garbage after sitting in storage – squashed and falling apart. Easier not use them – a piece of curling ribbon tied around the box both ways and the ends curled is much is easier and cheaper to deal with for nieces’ gifts and much easier to store.