Following on from Second Hand Presents

Linda32

Just wondering your thoughts on using obviously second hand paper.

I mean if wrapping paper comes off a present and is still the complete sheet but with obvious folds in it or tape on it.
Or re-using gift bags.

I'd be interested in your thoughts.

We re-used a sheet of paper in the condition I've described above. The present was sent by post so I've no idea of the reaction, if any. But if its bought up, I will simply say "don't be offened", and go on to explain our new re-use / less waste way of living.

These a gift bag which has gone backward and forward in our family now about three time. It was sent by me in the first place :rotfl: which is fine of course, the trouble is, I'm not sure wether the sender realises this.

melancholly

I always re-use wrapping paper, although i try to avoid rips or old sellotape being still attached. So I guess I don't really use 'obvious' second hand paper - but within my family we've been moving the same christmas paper to and fro for years!!
I've also taken to using brown paper since it's much cheaper and looks good too!

pavlovs_dog

i do this, with gift bags especially - they are so expensive!

i have to make a point of taking the gift tag off when i recieve the gift, so i dont forget to do so when it comes to re-using it

anything i like to do is if i receive a plain bag (eg red/blue) then i like to decorate it a bit, so it looks a bit more interesting before i pass it on.

wrapping paper, if in good condition, i will also re-use - waste not, want not

jcr16

i don't worry the slightest if i recive a pressie with second hand paper on it. i'd prefer it had been recycled tbh. i am just grateful that i have been thought of and i am reciveing a pressie. it is the thought that counts the most imo.

Heth_2

I always reuse wrapping paper, unless it is very torn/covered in tape or really messed up. We have a drawer with gift bags and wrapping paper in, and just take some out whenever wrapping a gift. We will occasionally buy more when we need a large sheet for a present, or if we don't have any to re use for a specific gift (like we have loads of birthday paper in our drawer, but no stuff for christmas presents since most gets left at parents where we have had christmas).

Lillibet_2

I've taken it one step further. On the odd occasions that I give a "proper" birthday/xmas/occasion card as opposed to an e-card I don't write on or seal the envelope unless it's going through the post, that way the envelope gets re-used too. Wrapping paper I re-use as long as it is in reasonable condition, depends who I am using it for as to how sellotaped I can get away with, gift bags are used to death. My mother in law would be utterly horrifed if she discovered that her gift had been wrapped in re-used paper, and this is the woman who must have shares in sellotape judging by the amout she puts on her parcels so that you can't reuse her paper:rolleyes:
I use brown paper for Xmas pressies & always salvage what I can to re-use to send ebay items through out the year, they are sent with a "reduce, reuse, recyle, resell" label on the back to explain away any obvious signs of reuse.

HTH;)

thriftlady_2

I always reuse paper if it's in good nick.It's really difficult to salvage it off the kids' presents though as they have a less than careful approach to unwrapping:rolleyes:

Lilibet do you make your 'reuse' labels,or is there somewhere I can buy them?

MrsTinks

I personally prefer to use brown parcel paper anyway as I love the rustic look... then either use ribbon bough in sales, saved or my favourite is string and the straw like stuff that you would buy in a garden center for tying up plants then I cut a card board tag and write on it in fine black ink. You can then tie sprigs of evergreen in at christmas with maybe a cheap sugar cane for some added colour or cinnamon sticks for smell, and the rest of the year anything small and appropriate for the person it's for... I've used things like little bags of lavender or twigs of lavender, a fresh flower from my garden (added just before giving the present to prevent wilting) and so on...

And where possible I don't use cellotape... now don't go thinking it's because I'm awfully good at wrapping... I can just never find it when I need it!!!

Linda32

Well, thanks all, plenty more ideas there as well

Rage_in_Eden

I also re-use paper - although I'm not sure Mr Rage realises!!! :rolleyes: Gift bags ditto. Get this for wastage - this weekend we went to the baptism and I'd got some wrappig paper and also because Mr Rage had forgot to get his Dad anything - he had to buy a roll of paper from asda (smart price) - i made sure we got a plain one - there's a sheet of baby wrapping paper left and nearly all of the roll and Mr Rage's Mum says "I'll just get rid of this", picks it up and starts walking towards the kitchen bin :eek: got it back pretty sharpish - I'm surprised they have the money for whisky and vodka per week that they have!!! (I might add that this is the latest in a long line of wastefulness including not liking new curtains and putting them in the bin!!! - she did the same with a plant I gave her from my recently passed Mother when it "got to big and she couldn't be bothered"!..I was a bit upset about that.....)

Austin_Allegro

I reuse wrapping paper. If it's wrinkled, you can iron it with a warm iron and it will look like new. If it's got tape on it you can either hide this in the way you wrap it, or stick new tape over it. I also make gift tags for Christmas presents by cutting out parts of last year's Christmas cards with pinking shears, and tying them on with coloured string.