Crafty cloth napkins trim holiday trash

We avoided crowds at the malls and inadvertently reversed "Black Friday" this year. Instead of bringing more stuff in, we attacked our packed attic and threw years of kid stuff and our stuff out. It wasn't easy, but the process was a reminder of how much we consume. Now we're focusing on this holiday season, when household waste quickly increases, from product packaging to wrapping paper.

Think about making changes in your home, too, and consume less this holiday, right down to the smallest of items: paper napkins. Try this family idea: When guests arrive for an extended stay, resist buying stacks of paper napkins for meals, and use cloth napkins instead.

Cloth napkins typically can be used more than once between washes when identified by the user with creative, individualized napkin rings. Store napkins in a basket, and when breakfast, lunch or dinner rolls around, reset them at the table.

PERSONALIZED NAPKIN RINGS

• String a holiday ornament, charm or jingle bell onto a 16-inch length of thin ribbon or twine. Make a loop and tie in a knot or bow.

• Tie a colorful silk flower such as a poinsettia to a new elastic hair binder or pipe cleaner. A fresh juniper or mistletoe sprig works, too.

• Twist pliable twigs or vines round and round and bind the loop together with raffia or wire. Glue on a mini pinecone or an acorn. Or, wire treasured beach finds such as shells and small stones with holes in them to the mini wreath.

• Tie a small toy or vacation souvenir to a knotted loop of rope.

READY-TO-GO NAPKIN RINGS

• Gather napkin rings you already own. Pick out one of each style for each person. If you have just one set of identical rings, string a decoration or tag with the person's name to each one.

• Select a favorite holiday-themed cookie cutter, such as a star, snowflake or Christmas tree, and simply slide a rolled napkin through the middle.

• Instead of a ring, pin a favorite sports team button, a badge or an antique brooch to the napkin. Remove and re-attach after the meal.

Alternate Idea: Skip using rings and keep it simple with one-of-kind napkins to identify the user:

• Purchase a set of holiday napkins in multiple designs and let each person choose his own.

• Western bandana scarves in different colors are inexpensive and look cute tied in a knot at each place setting. Or, make a variety of napkins with leftover pieces of cotton fabric from DIY projects.

Donna Erickson's award-winning series "Donna's Day" is airing on public television nationwide. To find more of her creative family recipes and activities, visit donnasday.com and link to the new Donna's Day Facebook fan page. Her latest book is "Donna Erickson's Fabulous Funstuff for Families." (c) 2014 Donna Erickson. Distributed by King Features Synd.