'tis the season to save money

So yesterday I got home from work and decided that it was about time to take down the Christmas decorations (tear).  For some reason, this year I have grown especially attached to my adorable 3 foot tall tree-and you would too if you saw it.  One by one I picked the ornaments from their perch and carefully wrapped them up until next year, but when it came time to take down the tree, I just couldn't do it.  I decided that I will keep the tree until it sheds enough needles to make me tire of vaccuming every day...so, maybe March? 
Honestly though, how much money goes into things that we throw away-in particular around the holidays?  From trees, to greeting cards, to wrapping paper, Christmas is expensive-notice no mention of gifts in that list.  Maybe more so than the tree, I felt bad throwing away cards from family and friends.  How do I look at a picture of your smiling children (one, by the way that was chosen through hours of deliberation on who looks good in which shot) and toss it in the garbage? 
The same can be said of the countless correspondence that has become standard to send when you are planning on getting married; engagement announcements, save the dates, invitations, RSVP cards, thank you notes-the list goes on and on.  A bride-to-be spends hours, not to mention thousands of dollars, choosing paper that guests will eventually throw away.  This got me to thinking...how do we encourage people to want to save what we send?  I can't expect my aunts and uncles to be framing my wedding invitation, but maybe they will throw it in a scrapbook if I make them think twice about it-like, "Oh this is just too pretty to be wasted".  Or what about a functional save the date?  I am just planting the seed here, but there are tons of options out there-and what a fine way to practice your green lifestyle! 
The following are just a few of my ideas-feel free to make them your own.

Coasters-sort of obsessed with this idea:

I love trees (as you have probably surmised by this point), and simply love this idea.  I have not yet seen a coaster save-the-date, etc., but I would assume that it could be done-all you need is heavy stock, recycled fiber and a wateproof ink.  This is something that could even be done at home, on the cheap(er).

Magnets-Magnets are a great idea, especially for people like myself, who spend a lot of time in front of the refridgerator.  I would bet that people who use a magnet as a save-the-date, etc., will have higher attendance on average, at their event.  Plus, who doesn't love a cute magnet?  Pretty sure that I would gladly throw away a Papa Johns magnet over a save-the-date should the fridge get too crowded.

Postcards-This is something that your guests could post on a bulletin board for years afterward and not look like serious creepers.  In fact they might appear to outsiders as seasoned travelers.

(Photobooth) photos-Although this has been done in many ways before, it is not a bad idea to send guests an invitation, etc., on the back of a photo; two birds, one stone.  This way, you are able to circulate a picture that you both like and get the word out.  It is my opinion that people are much less likely to throw away a picture than they are a piece of paper-no matter how fancy or elegant.

For more ideas and some amazing designs from independents, visit the New York Wedding Guide online.  Or, as per usual, check out etsy, where you are sure to find a multitude of treasures at reasonable prices.

Save on my friends.