Recycling Christmas gift bags

Every year after Christmas I purchase pretty Christmas gift bags at 90% off at craft stores. Doing so prevents stores from discarding them at the end of the season. Yes, they do! Isn't that a shame? They're great for wrapping, of course. I also make Christmas gift bag crafts. These are all fun, easy and cheap crafts anyone can make using a re-purposed or clearanced Christmas gift bag.

Holiday door stop

Hold the door open in style this Christmas. Bring in shopping bag after shopping bag without having to open and close the door. The best crafts are quick and simple. Start with a brick and a lunch sack sized Christmas gift bag. Insert the brick into the bag and form fit it like you would when wrapping a gift. Now tape the gift sack onto the brick tightly where the tape won't show. Wrap a pretty ribbon around the gift bag wrapped brick as if it were a Christmas present.

Holiday door stop #2

Here's another clever and simple door stop you can make this year to brighten up your home. Use a pretty medium sized Christmas gift bag with sturdy handles for this crafts project. Fill the sack about ¼ full with play sand. Test the lifting weight. Add pretty ribbon to your Christmas gift bag door stop.Done!

Luminaria

These are always so beautiful at Christmas time. They're even more beautiful when made with a colorful printed gift bag. Trace a simple Christmas shape such as a tree onto the front of your chosen Christmas gift bag near the top of the bag. Cut out the shape. Put about 3-4 inches of sand or clean kitty litter in the bottom of the sack. Place a votive candle in the center of the sack, burying about ½ inch in the sand for stability. Line finished luminaria up on the sidewalk. Light the candles for Christmas.

Notes:

*Save the tree shaped cut-out for card or tag making.
*If you're concerned about fire, use electric tealights instead. Just remember, they're not a green option.

Fancy bag for giving baked goods

Combine a love of crafts with the joy of baking. Make this homespun looking Christmas gift bag to hold the baked goods you make as Christmas gifts. Use a Christmas gift bag with an old fashioned design for this crafts project. Purchase a pack of miniature wooden rolling pins or spoons and some gingerbread cookie cutters from a crafts store. Paint the handles of the rolling pins with red craft paint. Let dry. Dangle cutters and rolling pins/spoons from the handle of the bag using plaid ribbon to match.

Personalized memories gift bag

Make multiple copies of holiday memory photos. Glue onto each Christmas gift bag in memory book fashion. Add embellishments, paper frames, or stickers if you wish. Christmas gift tags can be added right in with the memory design. Add notes on the photos describing the memory and what it meant to you. Direct the comments to the person receiving the gift to make it more personal.

Energy efficient indoor holiday decorating

Looking for energy saving indoor holiday decorating ideas? Look no further than your own two hands. Purchasing store bought “green” decorations just wastes more energy through production and transportation costs. Handmade decorations are a better option. Go green with beautiful candles, wreaths and garlands you make yourself. Recycle everything you make after the holidays. Have a green Christmas by saving energy with these nonelectric decorations you make yourself.

Candles

You can make beautiful candles for the holidays with kits from a craft store. Store bought candles are fine, but why not go completely green? Have an old fashioned holiday. Use GMO free soy wax for these nonelectric lighting options, to make them even greener. Kits contain holiday colors such as red and green and a wide variety of scents. The flickering glow of real candlelight gives your ecofriendly Christmas an old fashioned flair. After the holidays, melt them down and make more for next year.

Do get real with the tree

Although it's true that Christmas trees must be chopped down yearly, they are both fast growing and recyclable. This makes them a renewable resource. These indoor holiday decorations aren't always inexpensive but they can be. Try using a live Christmas tree in a pot that you can re-plant in your yard as landscaping. Talk about a green Christmas. Even cut trees can be turned into mulch for next years garden. Skip the lights. Have an energy efficient Christmas.

Wreaths and garlands

The great thing about using a real tree is that you can shape the trimmed branches into indoor holiday decorations. Nothing is more inexpensive than free. Nonelectric decorations like this are great for saving energy. Making your own wreaths and garlands spreads that fresh pine smell all around the house too, just like your green Christmas tree. These inexpensive decorations are naturally green and environmentally friendly as well. Just like your green Christmas tree, they can be turned into mulch at season's end.

Recycled fabric bows

Nothing brightens up a holiday like colorful fabric bows. Instead of buying them this holiday season, why not make your own? For a green, ecofriendly Christmas use old fabric scraps. Make big bright bows to tie on stair railings, dining room chairs or anywhere you like. These nonelectric decorations will light up your home with old fashioned charm and warmth. They're inexpensive decorations and green too. You can use them year after year. When they start to fade, use the fabric as cleaning rags or recycle it for even more green value.

Simple green gifts for Christmas

Giving a green gift for Christmas is simpler than it sounds. These green Christmas gift ideas are easy to make or buy. They're inexpensive and uncomplicated. Use recycled items from your home for most of the green gift ideas suggested here. You will have to purchase the last two but they'll last for years of green gift making.

Seed paper

This is recycled paper, embedded with seeds for easy planting. Simply use shredded newspaper blended with a slight amount of water to make a pulp. Cover a baking sheet with foil or saran wrap and roll the pulp onto it evenly. Place the seeds into the pulp 2-3 inches apart. Now let the whole thing dry in the sun. Gently peel the paper off. Cut into squares for planting. Tuck each seed paper square into a starter size clay pot. Include a paper bag of soil to complete your green Christmas gift.

Crazy quilt throw

Simply sew together fabric scraps leftover from various projects. The idea is to be as random as possible and not use any new fabric. Try to end with a square shape. Take the square and put it face to face with a piece of inexpensive fleece from a fabric or craft store. Sew it together on three sides then turn right side out. Now tuck the fleece and quilt piece under on the remaining side and sew together.

Recycled candle

Melt old crayon and candle pieces together in a double boiler. Leave some in chunks for a colorful effect. Add candle scent if you wish. Pour into prepared jar to make a new candle. Prepare jar by sticking a wick holder with wick to the bottom of the jar with a teeny bit of wax. Keep the wick straight while pouring wax, by wrapping the opposite end around a pencil laid across the top of the jar. When your green Christmas gift candle is set it's ready for gift giving.

Glass bottle cutter

This handy gadget makes a useful green Christmas gift. Recipients can make used soda or other bottles into drinking glasses, vases or other glass containers by cutting around them and sanding down the edge with sandpaper. Leftover flat glass can be used for glass mosaic objects.

Aluminum can crusher

Not everyone has the space to collect aluminum cans for recycling. This green Christmas gift is for the apartment dweller who wants to do their part by recycling aluminum cans. Simply rinse and crush the cans. They'll fit in a small waste container until ready to be taken to the recycling center. Add a waste can and biodegradable plastic bags to make this green Christmas gift complete.

Cheap, easy, green Christmas tree ornaments

Christmas tree decorating the traditional old fashioned way has always included handmade inexpensive decorations. The most special ornaments on many family trees are simply made. Why not make them green too?

Decoupage mosaic for old ornaments

If you have aging ornaments that are losing their finish, why not decoupage them in a mosaic pattern with old wrapping paper scraps? Just glue paper scraps on. Let the glue dry. Now, brush with non-toxic decoupage glue. Presto, you have a beautiful recycled ornament.

Marble and wire ornaments

Recycle old marbles. These shiny gems will make your green Christmas tree sparkle. Simply spiral copper craft jewelry wire around each marble and form a hanging hook at the end. It's a Christmas craft anyone can do.

Gilded apples

You've got red artificial apples on your Christmas tree. The finish is wearing off. Recycle them with a little fresh paint. Simply hang them from your outdoor clothesline and spray them with non-toxic diluted craft paint. Or decoupage them for a unique look.

Recycled yarn ornaments

You can make over-sized string ornaments for your outdoor Christmas trees using recycled bits of leftover yarn, balloons and flour. Dip yarn pieces in flour and water. Blow up the balloons and wrap them with the wet yarn. Let dry. Pop the balloon and your green ornament is done.

Paper mache star tree toppers

Use wire from old coat hangers to make a star shape. Cut an old newspaper into strips. Dip the strips of newspaper in flour and water. Wrap them around the star shape. Let dry. Paint your recycled tree topper ornament any color you wish with non-toxic craft paint.

Barbie angels

If your child has outgrown their barbie dolls, don't throw them away. Barbie dolls make great recycled angel tree ornaments. Dress them in a fancy blouse. Use scrap fabric to make a cone shaped skirt. Spray the skirt with fabric stiffener and let dry. Now you have a green angel tree topper.

Wrapped blocks

Old wooden building blocks and recycled gift wrap become ornaments. Simply wrap the blocks as you would a present. Tie with a pretty bow for hanging.

Permanent paper snowflakes

Recycled paper snowflakes are fun to cut out and environmentally friendly. Unfortunately, they're only good for one season. How about making them more long lasting? Just hang them from the clothesline, spray with clear, non-toxic acrylic spray and let dry.

Cookies

This is one of the most green ornaments you could hang on any Christmas tree. Why? It's a no waste project. Just bake them, hang them and eat them. Don't forget to make a hole for the hanging string. Save the string for next year's cookies too.

Recycled ornament hangers.

Why buy ornament hangers for your green ornaments? You can make recycled Christmas ornament hangers easily with old paper clips. For green paperclip ornament hangers, simply unbend the paper clip and pull one stem out at an angle. Leftover yarn pieces work too. Just tie and hang.

Cheap green Christmas gifts for pets

These green Christmas gifts for pets are inexpensive and easy to make. You can re-purpose or use ecofriendly items to make special holiday treats and toys for Fido and Fluffy. Why spend a fortune on pet gifts for Christmas when you don't have to? Goodness knows, your shopping list is long enough already! And overspending is far from green.

Quick catnip toys

Use fabric scraps or cheap new fabric to make all sorts of catnip filled toys for kitty this Christmas. Be sure fabric is washed before use to remove factory pesticides. Cut into shapes, fill and sew together for quick toys. Not a seamstress? Make easy green catnip toys by laying catnip on a fabric circle. Pull up the corners. Tie a ribbon around it to keep catnip in. If kitty tears it open, don't worry. It won't harm them.

Homemade dog treats

Make your own homemade dog treats and food as low cost green Christmas gifts. Pet food recalls are scary for pet owners. Why not make your own healthy recipes and treats for Fido? There are plenty of recipes available online. Wrap them up in a pretty bow for Christmas.

Food gifts for rodents

Pets don't care if their Christmas gifts are wrapped. How about making your pet rodent a special salad or meal for Christmas? Why shouldn't pets have a holiday meal? This inexpensive gift for pets is simple to make. Not sure what fresh food and nuts are safe for your pet rodent? Check with your vet to be safe.

Gifts for the birds

Birds like Christmas gifts too. Check your bird manual to see what treats are appropriate for their breed. Don't forget the outdoor birdies! Pine cones can be spread with peanut butter and rolled in seeds as a cheap Christmas gift. Hang fruit slices up in trees or bird cages as edible holiday decor.

Cat grass

Grass is green in more ways than one. You can buy small "patches" of cat grass in the pet store for kitty this Christmas. This is an awesome inexpensive pet gift. Indoor cats will love having their own little grass patch. Consider making a larger patch using a cardboard flat, some soil and seed. Check with the pet store to see which seed is best for kitty tummies.

Pull rope

A tug of war rope for dogs makes an excellent green Christmas gift. Simply braid several strands of organic cotton rope together. Knot at the ends. Homemade stuffed toys for doggies can be made from scrap fabric and a little stuffing. Keeps puppies from chewing up shoes, toys, slippers and the couch.

Mitten toy

Here's a fun Christmas gift for pets. Use an old winter glove whose mate is lost.

For dogs, stuff with fabric and sew up the opening.

For kitties, sew dangling items from each finger. Use yarn, jingle bells or whatever else your kitty might enjoy playing with. Slip the glove on your hand and wiggle your fingers to make dangling items entice kitty.

Paper, plastic or pillowcase

Plastic bags are becoming an epidemic.

• They make their home under the kitchen sinks of millions of Americans.
• They drift down the street like lone ghosts and roost in the trees.
• They float along in scenic streams and rivers all across the country.
• They are not alive yet seemingly multiply.
• They fly out of city dumpsters in massive swarms to overtake the world.

The plastic bags epidemic is spreading.

• It must be wiped out at all cost.
• The solution is within our grasp.
• Plastic bags are taking over.
• We must take drastic steps to fight this epidemic while we can.

Some cities are banning disposable plastic bag use.

What can you do if yours isn't one of them?

Return all plastic bags.

Gather all remains. Root them out from under the sinks and hiding holes of thy habitat and return them to the originators of this tragic epidemic. Proceed in a gleeful manner to the source of the epidemic with said plastic bags. Greet these persons with care, lest they not accept the plastic bags which have been so diligently collected. Lest ye forget, many fair vendors do offer monies in exchange for the return of their plastic bags.

Rebel against the retail gods.

Be heard by the leaders of the epidemic. Break out of the plastic bags mold. Just say no to bringing home more plastic bags. Cease adding to the supply by stopping the demand. Curtail the endless plastic bag pollution that hath scathed the nation. Cry out against evil plastic bags conspirators. 

Say boldly unto them, "No thank you for I have brought my own bag, kind sir or madame, and I intend to use it against this outrageous epidemic!"

Choose an alternative.

Anything that holds purchases and carries easily may be utilized as a plastic bag substitute. A box, a carton, or a pillowcase. Take thy pillowcase to the store rather than spreading the plastic bags epidemic. Make a fool of yourself but stop this ridiculousness before it stops you. Frequent establishments where cloth bags can be purchased and used repeatedly. Make thine own bag using old blue jeans or by tying together a sweat shirt. Do anything man, time is of the essence.

Shop proudly with your new bag.

Hold your head high in the aisles of the finest shopping establishments. Wave your knotted sweatshirt with pride as you boldly fight this sad epidemic. Sneer and chuckle at the plastic bag people. Thou art far superior. Nod to the clerk as you proudly submit your pillowcase to be filled to overflowing. Sleep easily tonight my friend, for the plastic bags epidemic has been swiftly averted.

What the heck is a green hoarder? Are you one?

Is it even possible to hoard and still be green? Well, that depends on what you are hoarding. If you're into purses for all occasions, that's not very green. If you buy what you hoard by conventional means, you're just adding to the waste. On the other hand, if your hoarding involves one of the items below, you might just be a green hoarder.

Do you hoard construction site leftovers?

If so, you're a green hoarder. Your yard may be a mess. Still, the next time you need to replace something on or in your home, you won't have to buy it new. This habit is even more environmentally friendly when you share with others. Why keep it all to yourself? You can prevent a lot of unnecessary waste by saving and/or sharing leftover construction materials.

Do you shop yard sales to feed your hoarding habit?

Are half the dishes in your kitchen from yard sales? Do you accumulate long lasting, high quality items like cast iron pots and pans from estate sales? Do you look for used items before paying retail? Hoarding only used items means you've taken yourself out of the supply/demand cycle.
Manufacturers generate less waste and use less resources when we consume less.

Do you hoard recyclables?

If so, you are among the best of all possible green hoarders. Rather than creating waste, you're saving the earth from piles upon piles of trash. Recycling is not only an Eco-friendly practice, it's wallet friendly too. Your garage may be a disaster in between trips to the recycler, but your collection is as green as it gets.

Craigslist and Freecycle provide plenty of green hoarding opportunities.

Learn to love the free section of Craigslist. Once again, you're sending a message to manufacturers to produce less, or at least, not more. If you weed out the spam and businesses, you can find good quality used items for sale too. The only drawback to this green hoarding opportunity is, you have to be fast. That free stuff gets snapped up like hotcakes on National Pancake Day.

Are you a dumpster diving hoarder?

Be cautious. Dumpster diving is illegal in some places. If not, go ahead and do all the dumpster diving you can. It's surprising what people throw away. You might find recyclables or just nice used items. Some department stores toss returned items frequently. Some people even dumpster dive for food. That's not my cup of tea, but who am I to judge?

So, yes, there is such a thing as green hoarding. You can be a green hoarder if you hoard used environmentally safe products. You'll notice, however, that I didn't say anything about hoarders being neat and clean. Most aren't. But hey, there are always exceptions. Who knows? You could be the first, cleanest, greenest, neat freak hoarder ever.