Friday, May 22, 2009

Random Tip #62

I like to wrap gifts. There is something soothing about working with my hands and trying to make a present look pretty. But sometimes I have to resort to the dreaded gift bag. (Why do manufactures have to make toy packaging so bumpy, lumpy and uneven?)

Recently, I realized that instead of buying a traditional gift bag I could do better. I'm now using reusable shopping bags as gift bags. The price is comparable (and often cheaper). Once the present is out of the bag and being played with, mom can use the bag for shopping, sand toys or another gift. So one less piece of trash in the landfill.

I've seen cute bags at Ikea, The Disney Store and Toys R Us.

The two above are from Ikea and are filled with my favorite summer birthday gifts...sidewalk chalk, sand toys and bubbles. But, shhhh! Don't tell the Emma and Quinn, the birthday kids...

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24 comments:

  1. LauraMay 23, 2009 at 1:44 AM

    Hey green Mama! Love the idea I'll have to look for some cute ones. I emailed you back btw :) Are you on facebook?

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  2. Jessica RyanMay 23, 2009 at 4:38 AM

    well, well, well... aren't you a clever little something! I LOVE it! (Especially because I HATE to wrap... used to love it until I had so many people to wrap for.) I will totally steal your idea!

    Any baking bags you could stick the cream of tartar in? I'm NEVER gonna let that go!!!

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  3. He & Me + 3May 23, 2009 at 4:41 AM

    So cute...I loved my wrapped gifts from you. So nice. That is a great idea.

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  4. Stellan BraceletsMay 23, 2009 at 5:06 AM

    I'm ALL for creative ways to re-use items to wrap presents!!!!

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  5. CarrieMay 23, 2009 at 5:31 AM

    Oh, darn...I could've used that today...I have about 3 events I'm going to with gift bags...I love this idea! NEXT time, though!

    I like to wrap, too, but you're right, some of those toys just make it too difficult and stressful to get the present to look right!

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  6. KristinMay 23, 2009 at 5:37 AM

    Very cute idea! I may need to steal that one.

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  7. Laura MarchantMay 23, 2009 at 5:42 AM

    That's a great idea because we try and reuse gift bags as much as possible.

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  8. AnonymousMay 23, 2009 at 7:18 AM

    I love this idea...and then the gift receiver can put all of their gifts into one bag and make it easy to carry.

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  9. Martha@A Sense of Humor is EssentialMay 23, 2009 at 10:04 AM

    I did this last Xmas and got Rave Reviews!!

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  10. More Than WordsMay 23, 2009 at 10:07 AM

    That is an awesome idea!! It's like a gift within a gift!!

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  11. The Johnson 5May 23, 2009 at 12:52 PM

    I LOVE this idea!!

    You are so wonderfully smart!

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  12. Eyeglasses & EndzonesMay 23, 2009 at 2:24 PM

    Note to self: Buy reusable shopping bags as gift bags!!!

    That is such a great idea, and YES, I am that moron that pays $3.49 for the giftbag @ hallmark because I am in a time crunch...ugh...I am nuts!

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  13. AiringMyLaundryMay 23, 2009 at 2:39 PM

    That is a great idea. I'll keep that in mind.

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  14. Heather at Mad Rose CreationsMay 23, 2009 at 5:31 PM

    How clever. I love the idea of mum being able to use the bags afterward. Of course my Wee Ones would probably still insist on using the bags for their toys. Which still is a win win situation.

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  15. Ryan Ashley ScottMay 23, 2009 at 7:06 PM

    THAT is a fabulous idea! I'll have to grab a few of those next time I'm at Ikea. We usually save newspaper for wrapping and I let Monsoon paint or decorate it with markers/stickers/etc... The bags are such a fun gift in themselves, though. Love it!

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  16. BrnEyedGalMay 23, 2009 at 8:43 PM

    That is a great tip...thank you!
    I am heading to IKEA to check em out...just LOVE that store!
    Have a great Memorial Weekend.

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  17. AnonymousMay 23, 2009 at 9:31 PM

    such a super idea! Very cute!!

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  18. ShastaMay 24, 2009 at 8:37 AM

    Now that is a REALLY great idea!! Those bags are so pretty (and I love what's inside!)

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  19. Denise Grover SwankMay 24, 2009 at 8:45 PM

    Oh my goodness! What an awesome idea! Of course YOU would think of that! I love it.

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  20. Christina-Marie WrightMay 25, 2009 at 2:10 PM

    What a great idea! So much better than the paper-type that will be thrown away or eventually tear, even if reused.

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  21. AJMay 25, 2009 at 8:45 PM

    Love it! I started doing something like this last year. I made a few gift bags out of old clothes and they turned out cute! Those bags are so cute and fun!

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  22. Veronica LeeMay 25, 2009 at 9:02 PM

    You always come up with such wonderful ideas! Just keep them coming!!!

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  23. Christina - Rant Rave RollMay 25, 2009 at 9:19 PM

    I love gift wrapping too!

    Re-usable shopping bags! This is a terrific idea! I love it!

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  24. AnonymousMay 28, 2009 at 12:49 PM

    Fabulous! Thanks for the great idea!

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Yeah! I love comments! Feel free to leave me one (or two or three).
But remember what your mama said..."If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all."
Thanks!

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