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Old 12-11-2012, 09:20 AM   #1
Carousel96
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In light of the holidays: Do you reuse gift boxes?

It may sound like an odd question, but I got to wondering this weekend if I was the only one who did.

DD and her friends had their annual gift exchange last week after decorating gingerbread houses. DD had put all of hers in those small "lingerie" boxes before wrapping. Every one of the girls either ripped her box up, or crumpled it, and put it in the trash with the gift wrap.

I will save and reuse boxes while they still look good. Once they get marred with tape spots, or look worn, I'll recycle them. My standards are higher for a box going to an "outsider" than staying in our house.
But I don't reuse boxes with store names on them, or boxes that picture the contents. I've been burned too many times trying to return a sweater that came in a Penneys box but wasn't purchased there.
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Old 12-11-2012, 09:28 AM   #2
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Yes, I do reuse boxes. As long as they're in good condition. But, I'm with you, I don't reuse a box that has product information on it for a different gift. Save a tree, right?
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Old 12-11-2012, 10:34 AM   #3
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I always save and reuse boxes. I'll also reuse the tissue paper as long as it's not torn.
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Old 12-11-2012, 11:04 AM   #4
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Originally Posted by JoanneS View Post
Yes, I do reuse boxes. As long as they're in good condition. But, I'm with you, I don't reuse a box that has product information on it for a different gift. Save a tree, right?
Same here
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Old 12-11-2012, 11:08 AM   #5
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I bought gift boxes on clearance a couple years ago at Target and we are still using those boxes. I also save gift bags too.
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Old 12-11-2012, 11:11 AM   #6
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We save gift boxes and gift bags. From every occasion as long as they are in good condition. I am the same as far as the condition doesn't have to be as pristine for a family member than an outsider.
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Old 12-11-2012, 12:03 PM   #7
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I reuse gift boxes too as long as they are in good condition. Same with tissue paper and gift bags. I've even taken to recycling Christmas cards. I cut the picture off the front and use it as a gift tag! I haven't had to buy gift tags in years!
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Old 12-11-2012, 12:47 PM   #8
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I reuse gift boxes too as long as they are in good condition. Same with tissue paper and gift bags. I've even taken to recycling Christmas cards. I cut the picture off the front and use it as a gift tag! I haven't had to buy gift tags in years!
gift tags from cards..........great idea.....and I do reuse decorative boxes and gift bags.
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Old 12-11-2012, 12:50 PM   #9
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Yes I do
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Old 12-11-2012, 12:54 PM   #10
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Yep, definitely reuse gift boxes/bags if they are in good condition. I'd be spending a fortune on empty boxes if I didn't! (Remember when ALL the stores used to give out giftboxes with purchases at Christmas time? Those were the days. )
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Old 12-11-2012, 01:11 PM   #11
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Not only will we re-use boxes that ar eintact and not showing lots of wear and tear ... last year, we specifically decorated a couple dozen of them (markers, holiday-themed foam stickers, glitter-glue, paint, etc etc) to BE re-useable gift packaging. Also a dozen gift bags, similarly decorated.

And a huge pile of gift tags; this year, DGF added to that with some cut from "chalkboard paper", so we can write the TO and FROM information, then erase it and write new info next year.

DGF is very unhappy with avoidable waste, while I am very unhappy with presents that are undecorated / "have poor or no presentation".

So, decorated re-useables are our compromise.
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Old 12-11-2012, 01:36 PM   #12
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If a box or bag is still in good shape we'll reuse it. It also doesn't matter if the store name is on it, we'll still use it for family. I also reuse ribbon and sometimes paper from larger boxes for smaller ones the next time.
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Old 12-11-2012, 02:57 PM   #13
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I reuse gift boxes too as long as they are in good condition. Same with tissue paper and gift bags.
Same here!
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Old 12-11-2012, 03:11 PM   #14
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We save the boxes that don't get destroyed. We actually have one box that is at least 40 years old. Its from a local store that went out of business so we know how old it is. One thing I can say is they don't make boxes like they used to. We now use that box for special presents.
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Old 12-11-2012, 04:48 PM   #15
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I will reuse gift boxes, gift bags and tissue paper. Why waste them???? Nothing annoys me more than people that put those sticky gift tags onto a big bag, you really can't reuse the bag again.

The last couple of years, I have been using the chipolte handle bags as gift bags. We go about every other week to chipolte that i have tons of there handle bags. They work great, add some tissue paper, in a real pinch I used tin foil once, and wha-la. gift bag!
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