Do you save bows and bags for Christmas wrapping?

C

CarolfromTX

Senior Member
Location
Central Texas
I used to do that. I confess, I am not above ironing tissue paper to reuse it. But last year I threw caution to the winds and got rid of many used bags and bows. I mean, how long is long enough?! I started to wrap presents today and realized I need more bags! And bows! I did buy wrapping paper, so I’m good there. Im going to put a reminder in my phone for next November to assess the wrapping paper/ bag/ bow situation. LOL! By the way, I don’t expect many of you men to understand. Dave has to wrap only his present to me (usually at 9 o’clock on Christmas Eve) while I , and most every other female on the planet, have to wrap all the gifts for the rest of the family and anyone else on the list. Truth be told, it’s just as well, since his gifts look a bit … random. color Coordination is not his thing. Deck the halls, y’all!
 

Way back when...when we were all much younger...we always saved wrapping paper and ribbons. We didn't have pre-made bows in those days; bows were made from the ribbon. We ironed the paper and ribbon and saved it for the next year.

I bet that started during the Depression, and I know for sure that it was done during the war, and at least in our family, it was kept up for years afterward.

Now we save and reuse gift bags and bows, but yanno what? I miss wrapped packages under the tree instead of gifts in bags.
 

If they are in good shape, I will save and reuse gift bags. Old bows, not so much as they would lose their sticky adhesive properties. My late mother would actually save and reuse wrapping paper. Getting a gift from her, you could actually see all of the creases and folds from previous use. Not exactly ”Hallmark’s best…” 🎅
 
Kika said:
I save gift bags if they are in good shape, not just at Christmas.
Wrapped gifts under the tree does look so much better, but then boxes are needed too!! I save strips of fabric ribbon, but don't use them much.
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My hall closet is half filled with boxes of assorted sizes needed for presents. I save them during the year from deliveries I've gotten or from presents I've received. The larger ones have to be in "shippable" condition though. If they're flimsy they go out in the trash.

However, this year I made the decision to stop buying presents for all the adults and just limit gift giving to the kids, so I guess I can finally get rid of a bunch of those boxes.
 
If you have a smaller thrift store in your area (not Salvation Army or Goodwill) they will take bags, bows and paper. If the paper isn't good to sell, they can use it for wrapping purchased items. Our PAWS had a lot of holiday gift bags and I noticed they did sell.
 
CarolfromTX said:
I used to do that. I confess, I am not above ironing tissue paper to reuse it. But last year I threw caution to the winds and got rid of many used bags and bows. I mean, how long is long enough?! I started to wrap presents today and realized I need more bags! And bows! I did buy wrapping paper, so I’m good there. Im going to put a reminder in my phone for next November to assess the wrapping paper/ bag/ bow situation. LOL! By the way, I don’t expect many of you men to understand. Dave has to wrap only his present to me (usually at 9 o’clock on Christmas Eve) while I , and most every other female on the planet, have to wrap all the gifts for the rest of the family and anyone else on the list. Truth be told, it’s just as well, since his gifts look a bit … random. color Coordination is not his thing. Deck the halls, y’all!
Click to expand...
I am a minimalist so I save and reuse everything I can. Most of my family is gone so I don't give many gifts anymore but I have a tote with some wrapping paper and other holiday items. When you do want to buy new wait until after the holiday when bags, bows and wrapping paper go on sale and stock up then. You can save a lot of money. Same with decorations, artificial trees, Christmas cards and so on. Always but after the holiday.
 
I like wrapping things up nicely or using gift bags with coloured tissue paper bought from the dollar store. Cards and also purchased at the dollar store. I love those Dollarama stores.
 
I'm a guy. So, I shop for presents, and buy Xmas bags at the dollar store @ 9:45 PM, Christmas Eve. Who doesn't need a battery powered egg scrambler? Presents go in the bag, and pull the drawstring. And my Xmas shopping is over. I admit I've never saved a bow or ironed tissue paper. I haven't ironed anything in the last 40 years.
Merry Xmas.
 


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