December 12th, 2006 - Simply Green book review
Simply Green Giving by Danny Seo is a delightful little book with lots of gift wrapping ideas. It’s all about recycling and using unusual items for wrapping that you can get for free, have lying around the house, or that serve multiple purposes (such as wrapping a gift with a scarf).
I wish I had read it before I wrapped my Christmas gifts. But I haven’t bought wrapping paper in ages. I reuse bags mainly, and I do try to be a little creative. (I was much more creative when wrapping as a kid. In fact, I begged Mom to let me wrap gifts because I enjoyed it so much!) I did wrap one gift in something else that’s also a gift. I can’t be more specific because it’s my brother’s gift and he reads this blog. (Hi, Michael!)
Speaking of which, he once gave me a gift wrapping in a very large sheet of paper on which he’d painted a Christmas tree. I loved that and hung it up for years, including here at work, at the holidays. I think I still have it in our holiday box.
Speaking of which, if you read other blogs, you have probably been hearing a lot about holiday preparations on them. Or if you write, writing about your own. You may have noticed a lack of commentary on that here. That’s because I’ve done precisely NOTHING about the holidays so far. Well, I bought all my gifts long ago and wrapped them in Sept (when I sliced my thumb) or over Thanksgiving (the inlaws). We intend to buy a tree one of these days, but may have to wait till after the windows are replaced. I’m not big on decorating, so haven’t done anything for the last few years. Eric wants us to decorate for Maggie now so we’ll do a little bit. But since I have no interest in it, and choose to not do things that stress me out or aren’t of interest, I am not pushing to do so. When he’s interested, we’ll do it. Otherwise, I’m perfectly happy with an unobtrusive holiday.
There are three things I want to do to celebrate:
1. Plan my garden order on the Solstice. I think thinking of spring and summer is a perfect thing to do on this day!
2. Go see the lights. This is our long-standing holiday tradition.
3. Attend the Solstice celebration at the UU. It was a lot of fun and interesting last year, although it takes place almost an entire week early this year.
Oh, and we’ll probably watch the Lord of the Rings trilogy on Christmas Eve again. And I’ll make a few cookies and olive nut spread. But only if I feel like it. And I won’t miss them if I skip it or wait until after the holiday. Oh, wait! I also hope to potty train Maggie that weekend!
Now that might make the holidays a little stressful. LOL