A BETTER GIFT BOX

In all likelihood, your family already reuses boxes when mailing packages to relatives.

Make them more festive by gluing or taping scraps of saved wrapping paper to the inside flaps of the box.

For a whimsical snowlike effect, use pieces of fiberfill in lieu of packing peanuts.

A NEW LIFE FOR OLD CARDS

What's the perfect way to recycle Yuletide greeting cards and keep your kids busy on a wintry day? Have them cut their favorite images and details from the cards and then turn them into gift tags or tape them to a window for a cheery display.

BROWN-PAPER PACKAGES ARE A FAVORITE THING

Inspired by the Erdmann family of Nutley, New Jersey, we decided to show our green spirit by going brown with holiday wrapping paper. Simply stamp the paper with a cookie cutter dipped in paint. When the paint is dry, wrap the present and tie it with ribbon or -- for "Sound of Music" fans -- with string.