KEEP GIFTS SIMPLE

GREEN TIPS
(Brought to you by the MdTL Green Committee)
Here are a few tips that MdTL is doing to keep this holiday season simple, joyful, eco-friendly, and truly meaningful:
* Give only necessary holiday cards—choosing eco-friendly ones--and e-mail the rest
Most of the people on our holiday greetings list have an e-mail. Consider sending them e-cards this year instead of a regular paper card. You’ll save yourself some money on the cost of the cards as well as on the postage. Save the paper cards for Grandparents etc.
* Let those who you usually exchange gifts with this year know that you’d like to have a meaningful visit or phone call instead of a present
Often times we ‘gift’ because we ‘get’ and the best way to nip this in the bud is to announce ahead of time to your friends and neighbors that the gift of ‘company’ is what you’re giving this year. It takes the pressure off of everyone.
* Skip the wrapping paper--give reusable gift bags and grocery bags
If you are going to be giving a gift, give it in a reusable bag instead of using wrapping paper. The recipient can reuse the bag over and over again. Also, you’ll know that you didn’t create unnecessary waste from wrapping paper or gift bags that will most likely end up in the trash.
* Recycle any wrapping paper that you receive--use it again, use it as packaging material
If you receive a gift that comes wrapped, save the paper to reuse it. You can use it as packing material, notepaper or even to shove it inside soft toe shoes to help them keep their shape.
* Choose a gift that is made from natural, organic or recycled materials—or better yet, make your own simple but thoughtful gift
There are a plethora of stores that offer products that are natural, organic or recycled; or better yet, a Marin Food Basket with local and organic cheeses, coffees and chocolates and a jar of your homemade jam!
* Give a previously owned gift from used bookstores or consignment shops
What a great way to give a truly unique gift. For example, if you have a chef in your life, consider giving them an antique cookbook that you can find at a used bookstore in your area. For the fashionista on your list, consider checking out a local thrift store for a vintage purse. There are many exceptional gifts that you can find for almost everyone on your list and they may even be right down the block from you.
* Buy presents that have limited, to no packaging
There are many items that you could find in stores that include boxes, plastic, and various other types of packaging that may end up getting tossed in the trash. Instead, consider buying gifts that don’t include all of this extra waste and look for products that have limited to no packaging at all.