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PORTLAND - We all know that winter holidays are for spiritual reflection, getting together with friends and family and, of course, exchanging gifts. But do you ever find yourself on Christmas morning, waist-deep in wrapping paper and feeling vaguely queasy?

Here are some hints on minimizing waste during December holidays from Megan Cogswell, coordinator of Oregon State University Extension Service's Waste Reduction Program in Portland.

"Even if you choose to start small, you are still keeping down the clutter of the holidays to better enjoy the other parts-like food, friends, family and fun," said Cogswell.

REDUCE WRAPPING WASTE:

• Buy wrapping paper with recycled content in light or pastel colors. Bright colored paper is tough to recycle because it is hard to remove all the ink.

   

• Avoid shiny wrapping paper. It cannot be recycled.

   

• Use raffia (natural fiber cord), reusable fabric ribbon instead of plastic ribbon.

   

• Wrap gifts in reusable items such as fabric tote bags, scarves, baskets or gift bags.

   

• Wrap gifts in the Sunday comics, or old maps or posters.

IT'S THE THOUGHT THAT COUNTS:

• Send electronic greeting cards via e-mail. Think of all the paper and postage you will save.

   

• Buy gift certificates for retailers, services or dining. These are perfect for the hard-to-buy-for recipient.

   

• Give experiences, like a day at OMSI, a day's skiing and lessons, a day at the coast, a weekend in a state park yurt or art lessons.

   

• Make your own certificates for your own services, such as hours of housecleaning, babysitting, window washing, driving, grocery shopping or lawn mowing. These don't cost anything but your time and love.

   

• Make your own gifts. Just a few ideas include jam, jelly, cookies, fudge, ornaments, pot holders, cookie or soup mixes in a jar, candles, soaps, bird houses, scarves, hats and fancy liqueurs.

   

• Search rummage sales, antique stores and flea markets for fun recycled gifts. How about a silver spoon for a new baby? A refinished crib for a baby doll? Old kitchen gadgets and crocks can become objects d'art.

   

• Support local craftspeople by buying handmade gifts at craft and holiday fairs.

   

• If you have a friend with a favorite book or author, find a first edition of that book with a used book dealer.

AFTER OPENING, WHAT'S NEXT?

After the presents are opened, how do you deal with the debris?

• Don't burn the wrapping paper. Put it in brown paper bags and leave it with your recycling. It's okay if there is a little tape on the paper, but too much is a problem. Ribbon should be removed. Don't recycle foil paper.

   

• Put plastic and foil-coated paper in the garbage.

   

• Fold up leftover and the more intact used paper and ribbon and save it for next year.

   

• Take those packing peanuts to local mail services to reuse them.

   

• Wondering about those big pieces of block foam? Call your local recycling center or landfill company and ask if anyone will take it. In the Portland Metro area call 503-234-3000 for resources.

   

• Cardboard boxes should be put out with your recycling or taken to a recycling center. Don't burn them. Make sure the cardboard you recycle has a wavy layer before you put it in the cardboard recycling. If it is not corrugated, it is actually "gray board," and should be recycled with your scrap paper.

IF YOU REALLY WANT TO PREVENT WASTE BEFORE IT HAPPENS:

• Instead of giving gifts, make a donation to a charity and give people cards that explain that you are donating in their name. (This does not always go over well with the under-10 crowd).

   

• With your kids, let toy companies know they use too much packaging and that you won't buy it until they reduce packaging.

   

• Have a holiday party where people bring gifts for charity instead of one another.

   

• Volunteer at a local shelter or children's agency party. Or help them buy gifts for low-income families.

   

• Go on a trip and avoid the holidays altogether.