Some of the best gifts I received last year were gifts of time. Friends took my children to holiday events which I couldn't attend as we were preparing to move to Athens. If a gift does need to be wrapped, consider using the Sunday comics from the newspaper. It's great for reusing, then recycling. Gift bags of cloth or paper are also reusable and quite handy for both the giver and receiver.
Children are creative with ways to reuse colorful items when wrapping gifts.
Let's all talk trash to our children this holiday season. By considering presents that don't contribute to the mountains of trash already contained in the Earth is one good way to begin. Liz Conroy, originally from Ohio, worked for several years in hospital administration. She is an Athens homemaker caring for two young daughters.