recycled wrappings and led lights keep girlawhirl's holiday prep green and clean

Category: Girlawhirl : Green

Nov 26, 2008

Girlawhirl's doing her best this year to keep all of her holiday wrappings lean and green. Last year she missed the boat, looking for recycled wrapping paper at the last minute only to find that the last roll in her local store had just been sold. This year she's come across plenty of options – including some solar powered and LED holiday lights. . .

Cute holiday greetings from Linda & Harriett include cards printed on recycled paper and made using soy ink that make even Girlawhirl's greenest Super Pals smile. For a more wallet friendly option, even Target has holiday cards printed on certified recycled paper. Sarah Drake's stylish letterpressed gift tags are made from 100% cotton paper – no trees needed – and girlawhirl.com readers get special discounts at Linda & Harriett and Sarah Drake. click here for details

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Linda & Harriet Target Sarah Drake

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Recycled wrapping paper is where Girlawhirl got tripped up last year, so this year she's making sure to be prepared. Fish Lips Paper Designs prints graphic versions of holiday motifs on 100% recycled paper – putting them in the running for a Best In Green. This year, The Container Store is carrying almost all of the Fish Lips papers, so Girlawhirl doesn't even need to order online. When all she needs is a little shopping bag to throw a few goodies into, Girlawhirl turns to these recycled paper gift bags from gaiam.com.

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And beyond recycled is biodegradable. This wrapping paper that Girlawhirl found at uncommongoods.com has annual and perennial wildflower seeds embedded in it. Instead of a rustic look more typical of the seed boxes and bags she's seen before, Girlawhirl admires the bright white paper and its crisp feel. All the recipient needs to do is follow the “water me” and “grow me” directions stamped between the sun designs that decorate the paper. It's truly a no-waste alternative that ends up creating English snapdragons, cornpoppies, black-eyed susans and other wild flowers.

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For around the house and on the tree, there are plenty of new green options. She's gifting her father a little early this year, with a whole solar system of outdoor lights. The sun charges them during the day and as soon as dusk hits, they automatically turn on. Inside, LED Christmas tree lights are the way to go and there are tons of options at all price points.