The Brilliance of "No Wrap" Parties

One of my favorite childhood family videos is of my sister on her fifth birthday.

Like most children celebrating a birthday, Blaire accepted each gift with wide-eyed anticipation.  She would rip off the ribbons, tear the wrapping paper in a fury, stare at the gift.... and drop it, immediately sensing the next wrapped present.  It was the element of surprise that was most desired.

Well, let's face it, we're not five anymore.  Sometimes that "surprise" gift without the return receipt from Aunt Mildred on Christmas is not so thrilling.  And with weddings, the surprise is long-gone once the registry is complete. 

Twenty-plus years after those birthdays of frenzied unwrapping, it's better getting exactly what you need (and want), right?  Not to mention the fact that wrapping paper creates more waste. 

In fact, according to the Clean Air Council's "Waste Facts," 4 million TONS of our waste is in the form of wrapping paper and shopping bags.

And thus comes the appeal for "no wrap" parties!

My mom's friend did this for her recent baby shower.  All presents--minus the wrapping and ribbons-- were placed in the baby's crib.

Bitters Co. Recycled Flip-Flop Nesting Basket

For your wedding shower, you can place all of your gifts in containers that can double for your laundry baskets, recycling baskets, or simple organizational bins later on. 

For starters, there is a website called Pristine Planet that offers green products from socially responsible merchants.  Two of their baskets are made of recycled flip-flops:

  

Bitters Co. Flip-Flop Baskets from Pristineplanet.com

Also, the Container Store has some nice eco laundry hamper options that with bamboo-lattice or "zen bamboo."

The Container Store's Square Bamboo Laundry Hamper

And for smaller items, Pier 1 Imports has a basket made of recycled newspaper:

Pier 1 Import's "Recycled Newspaper Magazine Basket"

So, enjoy your new eco-friendly organizers and non-wrapped gifts knowing that your wedding shower had no part in that "4 million tons."  Hopefully by your baby shower, that number will have gone down a bit.

Everything I Need to Know About Wedding Planning, I Learned From My Best Friend’s Wedding

Crisp, bold colors of autumn’s arrival made her ivory pearls and pristine dress glisten. 

October 9, 2010 proved to be the quintessential Michigan day for a fall wedding. And after having planned the entire weekend sans wedding planner, Courtney- my best friend from college, deserved nothing less than the perfect day. 

I can safely say after last weekend that one never fully understands the great magnitude of preparation and— need I say—stress that a wedding involves until you’re part of the bridal party or it’s your own.  Now, I know a little bit more of what I’m in for.

Things I’ve learned:

• It’s never too early to begin writing an itinerary and figuring out where everyone needs to be.

• In the words of the bride, a wedding is like Stage Management 101 (or maybe even 401).

• Have a notebook and highlighter handy at all times.  You never know when you'll need to make a list.

• Above all, remember to breathe, smile, and enjoy.

Now, for some green things I picked up from her fabulous day:

•  Their wedding website allowed guests to RSVP meal choices and activities for the weekend online and paper-free.

• All of the programs were from a recycled, reused source.

• Not only did she use her mother’s veil, she also donned a piece of lace from her mother’s wedding dress as a hair accessory.  It was absolutely gorgeous.

• All “welcome bags” were in the form of reusable grocery bags.

• They utilized local wines and snacks (Michigan dried cherries mixed with homemade granola... an incredible combo).

• Shuttles transported guests en masse from hotel to church to reception.

• They had adorable signs made that hung from their ski lift chair (oh yes, we took a ski lift to a champagne toast... in a word, amazing).  On one side it said “Just Married” and on the other it had their newly shared last name.  The sign will now be reused as décor for their home.

So, not only was their wedding a stunning success, it was good to the planet too.  I couldn’t be prouder of her and I was so honored to be part of their wonderful day! ☺