Gift Wrapping

"Christmas is the season for kindling the fire of hospitality in the hall, the genial flame of charity in the heart." ~Washington Irving

I've been volunteering with the PACE program in spirit of the Christmas season, holding the job of gift wrapper and I must say I have become quite wonderful at it. But while the gifts at the stores that I do look nice in their shiny papers, I cannot help but feel guilty. Although it may appear anti-christmas, I don't approve of wrapping paper. Think about it- yes the presents look lovely all wrapped up- for about two seconds. Then they're ripped up and on the floor without a second thought. Isn't Christmas about what's on the inside, anyway?
To save trees as I do, here are my suggestions...
1) Newspaper. This is what I use on most gifts. It's free (which is important during this recession) and it doesn't waste any paper.
2) Old sheet music. If you are a musician who has piles of sheet music you don't play anymore, they make lovely wrapping for jewelry and small trinkets.
3) Fabric- old scraps or new fabric. By purchasing a yard of a pretty Christmas fabric you can create a lovely tradition in your family by using it year after year.