One of the tremendous benefits of vintage clothing is its environmental friendliness. It is by far one of the easiest and most stylish ways to recycle and reduce waste.

This holiday, you could take that idea one step further by wrapping gifts in fabric.

Wrapping gifts in fabric is called Furoshiki, and the Japanese have been practicing this type of gift wrapping for hundreds of years. It's unbelievably simple, looks so unique, and can become a secondary gift in itself. Using a vintage scarf from a thrift store or cheap fabric remnants won't cost much more than a roll of wrapping paper, and instead of all that wrap going in a landfill, the recipient of your gift has something they can actually use.

Etsy (my favorite site in the world) has a fantastic tutorial of two of the Furoshiki methods of wrapping by Jenn Playford, Etsy seller and author of the book Wrapagami (Buy Direct). It's so easy and so pretty that once you try it, you may never go back to paper wrapping again!

Whether you follow trends or not, be prepared to see a lot of turquoise in 2010. Pantone announced that turquoise will be the color of the year for everything from fashion to home furnishings next year. They chose the color because it invokes escape, is soothing and tranquil, and gives a sense of well being; all things that people may need in this year to come.

Don't let the idea of Santa Fe jewelry cloud your perception of this versatile color. Pantone points out that is turquoise is neither warm nor cool, so it goes with so many other colors from neutrals, to black and brown, to other shades of green. There's plenty of turquoise to be found in the vintage realm, especially in prints and accessories from the 60s and 70s. With lots of shades to choose from, this is an easy trend to pick up; and if Pantone is right, it may just boost your mood and outlook too.

I am head over heels for Supermarket Sarah! I heard about her ingenious online shop on Mademoiselle Robot's blog a few months ago and have been smitten ever since. It's difficult to describe her shop, it's better to be experienced, but if I had to put it in to words I would call it a virtual bazaar of curiosities.

What is so ingenious about Supermarket Sarah is the display. All of the items (which include vintage clothes and knick knacks) are arranged and displayed on her wall in a Rauschenberg assemblage meets Eye Spy sort of way. Each item in the image is for sale, and all you have to do is click on the piece to buy it. It's just so refreshing an whimsical!

Prices are in British Pounds, as Ms. Sarah is based in London. She lives right near Portobello Market, where she also has a stall to sell all of her art, antiques, and vintage wares. You can see her stall and keep with her awesome finds on her blog, http://blog.supermarketsarah.com/

Black Friday and Cyber Monday don't mean much to vintage shoppers. While others are getting great deals on flat screen TVs and mp3 players, poor vintage shoppers don't get any door busters or early bird specials.

Sure a few Etsy sellers may have had free shipping or offer a discount, but it's not the same. Why can I get a vintage Halston dress for $39.99 as long as stand outside the store at 3 a.m. in the snow with 400 other people? Alas, this is the price you pay for wanting one of a kind items that are impervious to time and age.

Fellow vintage lovers, do not feel left out by these silly retail holidays, as I once did. In only a few short years those silly electronics will be $5.00 at a yard sale, while your vintage garments still proudly hang in the closet of a very happy vintage shopper. So sleep in without shame and remember the thrill you get every time you find an amazing vintage score; no door buster toaster can compare to that.