I woke early this morning to sort through my seed packets and to find out what I needed to order for next year’s growing season. Today is the last day of the Botanical Interests free shipping offer so I wanted to make sure I placed my order to take advantage of the deal.
Heirloom tomatoes. They are my one weakness. It turns out I already have 16 varieties of leftover seeds. Oops. Maybe I should try and grow 1 of each variety this summer. That might be kind of fun.
I stopped by the library to pick up I am Hutterite yesterday.
Only to discover when I got home I had ordered it in LARGE print. Gaaaa! Now I have to request it again. I tried reading the large print with and without glasses but it hurt my eyes too much.
I ended up hooking mini rugs all afternoon instead.
And Christmas. This is the fourth year in a row I haven’t bought wrapping paper or any sort of supplies. I know there are people out there who LOVE selecting just the perfect gift wrap and all the ribbons and bows that go along with it. But I just can’t do it anymore. I can’t spend money on something I know will end up in the trash.
Instead, I happily scavenge paper and bags at birthday parties and what my relatives discard at my parent’s Christmas party every year.
Who cares if it looks like I’m headed to a birthday party. Whateva. I don’t know. Maybe I’m getting a little too thrifty in my old age.
So. What’s new with you? Tell me something exciting. It’s raining again and I need to live vicariously through you.
~Mavis
Diana says
It’s going to be in the 70’s again today – YAY!
I rescued a dog from animal control yesterday and today I feel like a mack truck has hit me, lol. She’s integrating with my pack well and is super sweet natured. So far, so good. Oh, she’s a 1yr old brindle pit (and has a LOT of energy, lol) and I already have 3 8yr old pit mixes. 🙂
And you should SEE the broccoli that I’m going to pick in a few minutes. Planted 18 plants back in Sept. and the heads are HUGE! Can’t wait to go out and get them. Any good tips to freeze? I’ve read that I should soak them in salt water first to kill any hitchhikers and then 3 minutes in boiling water, then ice water, then dry them. I’ve got a vacuum sealer, so was gonna use that. Sound ok?
Kari says
I usually hit Fred Meyer after Christmas and stock up on cheap bows, bags, and tags (if needed.) I have one reversible Costco roll that lasts me a few years. I always keep one roll of white tulle on hand for year-round bow making when needed. Other than that, we reuse bags, boxes, and brown paper grocery bags when possible. As much as I love the beautifully wrapped and decked out packages, I’m too thrifty to pay the big bucks. I’d rather take my kids on vacation and pay extra towards the house so my HH can retire early 🙂
Mavis Butterfield says
Ahhhh Kari. That last sentence. 🙂 Me too.
Natalie T. says
Me three! It is also much more environmentally-friendly to reuse than discard and buy every year. Old yet beautiful maps and large calendars (cut off the calendar portion) in crisp condition are unique and highly intriguing pieces for wrapping gifts!
Kathy says
Yesterday it hit 70 degrees. Today, is supposed to be 72 cloud covered degrees. Now remember, this is NE Ohio where we usually are in high 30’s, low 40’s with potwntial snow. I’m recovering from the flu, making risotto in the rice cooker I won from one of your giveaways 2 years ago. How did I ever survive without one? Christmas shopping has been done for almost 2 months now, just have to wrap…I too use leftovers and don’t get over-priced new. Life is grand.
Jen Y says
I love your gift wrap & I can’t remember the last time I bought some either, though I do have a weakness for ribbon.
My husband asked me if he could wrap my gifts in newspaper this year. He says he likes that so I plan to wrap all of his that way!.
Erin says
I’m going to use up the last of what I have then try something I saw on Pinterest: cloth wrapping! I have slowly collected bandanas and old scarves and such to wrap presents with. When they open the presents, I just fold up the bandanas and save for the next birthday or holiday!
Teckla says
Christmas isn’t at my house, so I can’t “scavenge” paper and bows, but I buy the cheapest stuff I can find, usually at the Dollar Store. I think I’ll make reusable fabric totes during the year this year and use them for Christmas gifts next year — 2 for 1! Or maybe just some scraps of fabric and yarn that I bought during one of my “crazier, what was I thinking” moments! LOL I have used brown paper bags and the comics before, but no longer get the paper. Have been too lazy to “make” wrapping paper, but I should!
Frugal is FABULOUS!
Laura says
We gave up on Christmas wrap last year and now use brown paper (cut from bags from the grocery store), newspaper and shopping bags from wherever to wrap our gifts. We were pleasantly surprised though by how nice everything looked under the tree – actually much nicer than the hodgepodge of Christmas wrap we used to put together. We found some reusable Christmas ribbon at the thrift store and use that to pretty things up, but no bows and other gee gaws. And, last year when I traveled to Japan I bought some red and green furoshiki (wrapping cloths) in different sizes – they can and will be re-used year after year. We’ve also got some reusable boxes that we picked up at Pier 1 years ago – they’re still in rotation as well.
Kat says
I use old road maps and even “maps” from attractions like the zoo, botanical garden etc as gift wrap.
Brenda says
Great idea and when we travel and stop at rest areas the maps are free. Now I know what to do with all those maps once we leave the different states. I just couldn’t make myself throw them away. Thanks!!
Renay says
Who remembers wrapping presents in the funny papers?!? Jeez, who even calls them the funny papers anymore…haha
Katie W says
I’m pretty sure I’ve wrapped presents in newspaper before! I think it looks neat 🙂
Vicki says
I am not sure how many years it will be before I need to buy more wrapping paper. A few…well several… years ago, I stopped by CVS (a drug store chain if you are not familiar) and ALL their Christmas items were 90% off…I obviously have NO bargain resistance and when you are only paying .35 to .39 a roll (I see my “can’t resist a bargain mentality”is showing there) I stocked up. I get some solid colors to use during the year for other occasions too. I have given many rolls away, used many…and STILL have plenty!
Mikey says
While l have pretty felt boxes, wine boxes and fabric, my favorite is to get the cheap paper on sale at the end of the year. I like to wrap each child’s gifts in the same wrap, using different print for each, so when they go snooping, they won’t be able to figure out what they are getting. Brown paper with stamped print definitely looks better under the tree than the brightly wrapped paper. I should probably just get more than l stamp…
Katie W says
A couple years ago in a move, we ended up with a huge roll of brown (what I assume is) packing paper. I have no idea where it came from, but now I use it for wrapping paper. It can be used for any kind of gift or holiday, and I just use colored yarn from my crochet stash to tie it up – Sound of Music anyone? 🙂 You can also draw on the blank paper if you want to.
But I’m right there with ya on recycling bags and tissue etc. My friends and family all pass around the same stuff. I still buy wrapping paper for Christmas, but use it for years until it runs out. My mom even has some paper still from when I was a little girl. My sister and I find it fun to take some of this paper from her – think Barney and other cheesy kid stuff – and wrap each others presents in it.