Green Christmas Ideas
I've written one article for Thrifty & Green, and may try to squeeze in another before the year ends. Regardless, I like the concept of the site and wanted to share with you.
First my usual reminder to save reuseable wrapping items like gift bags, bows, tissue paper, and large pieces of ribbon/wrapping paper. All of these will eventually wear out, but most of them can go through multiple uses.
The Second idea is to get creative with leftover cardboard. One grandfather built a little girl I know a lovely play castle using cardboard, hot glue, and spray paint. I used the inner part of two Thomas expansion packs my nephew got for his birthday to make "Mommy and me" shadow boxes for my nephew and a little girl I've been keeping on Saturdays. I made "paper dolls" of the kids and their moms (both single moms, otherwise I'd include dads) out of cardboard, and we used scrap fabric to "dress" them. I may have more craft scraps on hand than most people, but we also used baking cup liners to make a "skirt" for one doll. So it's quite possible to "dress" the dolls using cuts outs from advertisements.
The point I'm trying to get to is that cardboard and other items we would normally toss can be turned into something to play with. Granted there's a limit on how much you should hold onto. Straight up recycling is a fine option as well. But if Christmas is feeling a little "thin" or you're looking for things to entertain visiting kiddies, playing with the boxes can be a good option.
P.S. We're trying to potty train my nephew over Christmas break. So, while I may link articles I find, the blog shall otherwise be on hold til January.
First my usual reminder to save reuseable wrapping items like gift bags, bows, tissue paper, and large pieces of ribbon/wrapping paper. All of these will eventually wear out, but most of them can go through multiple uses.
The Second idea is to get creative with leftover cardboard. One grandfather built a little girl I know a lovely play castle using cardboard, hot glue, and spray paint. I used the inner part of two Thomas expansion packs my nephew got for his birthday to make "Mommy and me" shadow boxes for my nephew and a little girl I've been keeping on Saturdays. I made "paper dolls" of the kids and their moms (both single moms, otherwise I'd include dads) out of cardboard, and we used scrap fabric to "dress" them. I may have more craft scraps on hand than most people, but we also used baking cup liners to make a "skirt" for one doll. So it's quite possible to "dress" the dolls using cuts outs from advertisements.
The point I'm trying to get to is that cardboard and other items we would normally toss can be turned into something to play with. Granted there's a limit on how much you should hold onto. Straight up recycling is a fine option as well. But if Christmas is feeling a little "thin" or you're looking for things to entertain visiting kiddies, playing with the boxes can be a good option.
P.S. We're trying to potty train my nephew over Christmas break. So, while I may link articles I find, the blog shall otherwise be on hold til January.