This year more than ever, the holidays are a time to reflect and rejoice the simpler things in life. In this economy, many families are asking themselves how they can simplify some of their holiday traditions. They want solutions that require less preparation and stress, less money spent, and also less garbage in our landfills:

Give Gifts of Time or Service

Gift cards are a good way to guarantee the gift recipient gets to pick out something they actually want and will use. Or if you really want to avoid the waste that “stuff” creates (see newdream.org for tips on reducing your overall consumption), opt for something more creative like a gift card for a local restaurant or music concert. Finally, consider the gift of your time. Handmade coupons for car washing, baby-sitting, etc. offer something valuable to your family and friends while saving your holiday budget as well.

Use Our Reusable Gift Wrap

To reduce the mountain of paper, tissue and bows that go in your family’s trash can each year reuse your gift wrap. Fabricwrapper.com’s Holiday Line offers a beautiful selection of reusable gift-wrap for the holidays. Founder Stephanie Lancaster, a mother of two, comments, “Many families are exchanging reusable gift-wrap year after year; reducing their gift wrap budget and carbon footprint at the same time”. The Sierra Club points out that if every American family wrapped just three gifts this year in reusable gift wrap it would save enough paper to fill 45,000 football fields. The site carries the signature Fabricwrapper for boxes and gift cards in addition to fabric gift bags and furoshiki, all made in the USA. The company belongs to 1% for the Planet, donating one percent of all sales to environmental non-profit groups.

Compost/ Recycle Holiday Waste

More than 10 million Christmas trees will end up in a landfill this year. Don’t let your tree be one of those sent to a garbage dump – compost it instead. Also, don’t forget the mounds of kitchen scraps from Christmas dinner or the uneaten latkes after lighting the menorah. There are plenty of opportunities during the holidays to compost. Think of the wonderful planting soil you will create for spring. And keep in mind that the biggest composting and recycling opportunities are at holiday parties, when large numbers of partygoers create large amounts of trash.

Party Responsibly

If you are hosting a holiday party this year, consider washable rather than disposable tableware and linens, and be aware that “less is more” when it comes to cheap party favors and decorations that will end up being thrown away. Send an “evite” rather than mailing invitations. Also, be aware of the food you are serving. Pre-prepared foods may seem simple, but they come at a high cost to the planet. Serving fresh local, organic food whenever possible will taste and feel better. To reduce costs, serve more foods that are lower on the food chain and stay away from costly meats. Or consider reducing the guest list. Any party that is obligatory rather than fun shouldn’t be on your radar. Remember to simplify and focus on the friendship of the people you are inviting. After all, that is what the holidays should be about!

Give mom a gift within a gift!

Mother’s Day is coming up fast! Since becoming a mother I appreciate my own mother’s sacrifices and words of wisdom more than ever.

Moms today want to save a dollar (reusing is hip!), and the environment, at the same time. When wrapping your Mother’s Day gift this year, www.fabricwrapper.com products provide a way to make both things possible for your mom! But even if your mom is not the eco-conscious type, she will still appreciate that reusable gift wrap is unique, thoughtful and boutique chic.

Our recommendations for wrapping mom’s gift?

Pink Dot Medium fabric gift bag :wrap anything in this versatile bag: A shirt, framed photo, books.

Aqua Dots Wine fabric gift bag :best if your mom is a wine lover or to wrap a beautiful candle!

Daisy Dreams Large fabricwrapper for boxes :wraps the big items such as robes, towels, or sweaters.