Do you ever think that Christmas is becoming over commercialised and too much money is spent on it? Why don’t you try to simplify it then? This year in our house we are simplifying our Christmas by making our own wrapping paper which is such a big expense that ends up in the bin anyway.
I have bought rolls of brown paper and we have been using Christmas shapes and festive red paint to decorate the paper. The presents are then being finished off with raffia which is inexpensive compared to ribbon. You can buy it in Lakeland if you are in the UK. Gift tags are brown luggage labels which we’ve decorated with Christmas stickers. The children love being involved in the planning and preparation for Christmas.
Why don’t you try making your own wrapping paper too. The money you save could be spent on buying safe water for a village or school and for just just £9 (or two rolls of luxury wrapping paper) the gift could help set up or maintain a safe water supply. I 
cannot imagine having no other choice but to give my children water that I know could kill them. I also didn’t know that such a small amount of money can actually help build pumps, tanks, pipes or purification systems. With Oxfam Unwrapped we can all change the world with one gift at a time.
For more information on Oxfam Unwrapped and how you can help or take part in the Simplify Your Christmas Blog Carnival pop over to Who’s The Mummy?
Love the homemade wrapping paper Nova. Looks beautiful. Am def going to try it. We’ve been doing cards and it’s been great fun.
Great idea! I’ve got a roll of brown paper in the cupboard and now I know what to do with it.
After watching the information on ‘safe water’ I feel ashamed that we take so very much for granted. I too will take up your initiative and cut down on christmas spending to make a donation to this very worthwhile cause.
Thank you, that would be great! X
I think this is such a great idea, last year I made a real effort with the wrapping .. I am not great at fiddly stuff only weaving highlights .. I digress, I am shit at wrapping. But last year I really did a reasonable job .. it all looked lovely and then it was all in the log burner..What is the point.. especially now that they are older.. in this house anyhow xx
LOL. XX