If you’re like me…you save and reuse all your gift bags (and your bows and wrapping paper if it’s cute.) I hate to be wasteful and I’m always looking for cute/inexpensive ways to wrap and give gifts, With that said I have been contemplating the ways I can consume less this holiday season. Here is what I have so far:

#1. Buy handmade, I will be shopping all the local craft fairs this season. If there are none in your area try etsy.com

#2. Almost everyone in my family collects some sort of vintage or antique item(who am I kidding we’re all pack rats we collect everything). Shop for gifts at antique stores, estate sales or flea markets, since one person’s trash is another’s treasure.

#3. Eco friendly gifts, I was so close to buying all my friends the Method Christmas collection the other day at Target, Then I realized buying people cleaning products could be insulting (they just smell so good). Maybe I will just get them the candle.

#4. DIY what is better then making your own gifts? I usually bake or make handmade soaps for my neighbors. Its a quick and thoughtful gift.

#5. For kids, start a savings account or give stocks or bonds. It’s fun to watch money grow and it teaches children the importance of saving.

#6. Instead of using gift wrap, put your gifts in reusable bags like the ones Shaws, Walmart and Whole Foods sell for a dollar. It will save paper and your friends can reuse that bag when they go shopping, its like two gifts in one.

#7. Go digital, give the gift of music with a itunes gift card.

#8. Memberships: golf, gym, spa or services such as lawn care, house cleaning, music lessons, exercise/dance classes, dog training(Emma needs this) tune-up, oil change or maybe tickets to a concert.

#9 Use last years Christmas cards for gift tags, cut out the cute holiday-esque picture on the front of the card, punch a hole and add ribbon then use the back to address to your recipient.

#10. Convince your friends you shouldn’t exchange gifts this year and just have a Christmas dinner party to celebrate and enjoy each others company…Thats what the holidays are about anyway…right*

What do you do to consume less at the holidays?

*Unless you are my boyfriend…then Christmas is about Canon Digital Rebels.