A few years back I used to have a few magazines subscriptions, mostly the health and beauty ones.

And I always felt like I was killing trees and ruining the environment while turning each glossy page. So I cut down my subscription to almost none.

But now that the new year is coming up, I decided that I miss getting magazines in the mail. Plus I would always “recycle” them. I usually save my favorite issues (or articles) and the rest would either be given away or donated to the local libraries. Some schools even request magazine donations as art project for the kids. So it’s not really that bad. I think 3 magazines per household is a good number.

So a nice gift to myself this holiday would be a few new magazines subscriptions. Including Real Simple, Country Living and Sunset.

SUNSET - A great magazine for outdoor enthusiast.  Ideas for local daytrips, neat recipes and gardening information are always nice here.

These photos from Sunset of pretty amaryllis are some of my favorite winter flowers.

Julie Chai of Sunset noted, “but with the right care, these stunning beauties can re-bloom in your garden long after the holidays have passed.”  I know my mom did this with Easter lilies and they still continue to bloom every spring.

COUNRY LIVING - Hopefully someday I will get to retire in the country. Maybe when I’m young enough to actually do farm work! In the meantime, I will at least have this magazine for inspirations. These origami Christmas flower idea are from the pages of Country Living. Seem like an easy project. And the flowers could be used as gift wrapper bows too. Btw, I got a really good deal with Amazon (there were some more good choices, such as “O” magazine from Oprah) - but 3 was my limit. The best part is that I got all three for $15!