Not too psyched on re-using last year’s wrapping paper, or wrapping your gifts in the Comics?

The Japanese tradition of Furoshiki lets you make a gift out of your gift wrap, by wrapping your gift in a decorative scarf or other material. It sounds as tricky as Origami, but just as beautiful.

Plus, your recipient can re-gift the wrap as a scarf or wrap when they’re done unwrapping.

See some basic wrap techniques here:
Furoshiki.com

There’s a new film out about Wal-Mart – I am waiting for my copy to come in the mail, but I’ve heard about it from trusted resources (my parents). From what I’ve heard and read, it seems to confirm all the reasons I’ve boycotted it for years. The corporation is low-paying, anti-union, and anti-worker in general. As a matter of fact, it’s even sounding anti-American. To buy from China – no, wait – to manufacture in China, then put American Main Street and smaller chains out of business… is that the patriotic image we all had of Sam Walton? Wal-Mart has chosen this route on a grand scale in order to keep their prices lower than any other store can compete with. Stories about their full-time workers needing food stamps, about required overtime, and about muscling out union organizers are downright disgusting.

OK, I’ll get off my soapbox. If you’re pinching your pennies this holiday season, look to alternative options to spend your celebratory cash, like:

• artfortheanimals.org
• www.heifer.org
• www.puravidacoffee.com

For more info on WalMart: WalMart Watch