Inventive Wrapping

Christmas is in a week, and we're all rushing to wrap up those perfect presents, so our instinct tells us to run to the store and buy a roll of Christmas-y wrapping paper or two, right? What about the old magazines and newspapers around the house? That last question wasn't as off-topic as you may be thinking! This year, I took one of my magazines, and wrapped all of my friend's Christmas presents in the pages and pages of double-sided advertisements. They were really effective, and all looked really unique! It was also a really good way to start conversations. Everyone was asking questions, and they love the idea. One of my friends even decided she would go home and wrap the rest of her presents in old newspaper and magazine pages!

Do you really need new wrapping paper? Try using your old newspaper and magazine pages to wrap some of your presents, even if it is only one or two. Every little bit helps!

"You've Inspired Me"

Have you ever thought that your endeavors to be eco-friendly are hopeless? That whatever you do, you're only one person? That what you're doing isn't being noticed? You're not alone. I've felt like that before too. But then I realized that it isn't about showing off and being talked about. Its about what you're doing. You're taking part in an eco-friendly action, and its good if people notice, but don't worry if they don't.

But do you want to know a secret? People DO notice. They don't tend to let you know though. Since I've been having waste-free lunches at school, using reusable water bottle, and making sideways comments about the wastefulness of juice boxes, I've noticed more of my friends using reusable bottles and producing less trash. If you keep working hard, you might just get lucky, and someone will tell you how they've been inspired by you. For example, when my mom was at a grocery store a couple of weeks ago (with her reusable bags, of course) and was in line to pay, the woman behind her was fascinated with her bags. She engaged in conversation with my mom, repeatedly mentioning how she'd been inspired to do the same.

Thats just one example of people noticing another's eco-friendly habits. Sometimes, a similar encounter can happen without the words though. If that woman had wanted to, she could of stayed silent, noticed the bags, and still have been inspired without talking to my mom. Its the silent inspiration whcich is helping these ideas grow more than anything.

I promise you, if you keep trying, someone will notice. Or maybe they already have! If you have any stories about an encounter with someone you've inspired or that has inspired you, I'd love to hear it! Post a comment or email me at beth@whymewhynot.org  .