Are You Dreaming of a Green Christmas?
Lifestyle Organizations and EventsPublished December 23, 2011 at 9:32 am No Comments
There’s no doubt that there’s something special about this time of year. No matter how you choose to celebrate, the family connections, traditions and good spirit that abound in December make the holiday season a joyful time for many. With all the holiday travel, shopping, wrapping, cooking and making sure your home is lit up like a . . . well, Christmas tree, don’t forget that it’s easy to think green during this season. The good news is that in the process of greening up your Christmas, you may have the chance to relax and enjoy this holiday season more than ever before. Here are some Christmas traditions that are as green as they are festive.
1. Live trees (and other decorations). Having a beautiful Christmas tree is a tradition that is a must for many families, and many have a strong preference for either a live or a fake tree. For those that prefer a fake tree, the ease of having a no-mess tree that can be used again and again is quite convincing. The problem is that a fake tree is often made of PVC plastic and when people throw them away because they show signs of wear and tear, they simply end up in landfills, possibly forever.
Your best option is to choose a live tree and give some thought to what will happen when Christmas Day is done. Consider making your tree a potted one (Norfolk Pines are a good choice for this), retaining the root ball so the tree can be planted outside, or turning the tree to mulch at the end of the season. This way your family can enjoy the beauty and scent of a real tree, support local tree farmers, and make use of the tree when the season is done.
Other decorations that bring a festive touch to your home naturally include other types of greenery, pinecones, and cranberries.
2. Responsible lighting. Is your home visible on night time satellite pictures? Maybe it’s time to reconsider that outdoor lighting. New lighting options make it possible to have an energy conscious display. A small lighting display will still have an impact on viewers and it will have a positive impact on the electric bill and our energy resources. If you still want a large light display, consider using LED lights, which use up to 95% less energy than traditional light sets. Plus, when one LED light goes out, the rest of the strand will stay on. Some companies also offer solar LED lights, which provide the perfect eco-friendly solution.
3. Eco-packages. Packages, boxes and bags are fun and festive until they are stuffed into a trash bag after the unwrapping is finished. There are several ways to have beautifully wrapped presents without a lot of extra waste. You might buy environmentally friendly paper, recycled paper, or make your own wrapping paper. Saving used wrapping paper is a great way to reduce waste, and can be fairly easy if you choose to use ribbon or string to wrap instead of tape. Keep or recycle packing materials to further reduce the four million tons of bags and wrapping material sent to landfills every year.
4. Green gifting. Sustainable gifts are trendy! Whether it is homemade by you, locally made by an artisan or a product made with recycled parts or packaging, giving responsible gifts can be a great way you show your care for the recipient and the environment.
5. Festive feasts. Even though your Thanksgiving meal is a not-so-distant memory, it is traditional for many families to enjoy a large feast on Christmas Day. This meal can be delicious, healthy and eco-friendly with a little planning ahead. Shop at local merchants for organic, locally grown food. If you enjoy a turkey or ham, look for a local farm that raises free-range turkeys or produces organic ham. Or you can break tradition and offer a delicious vegetarian dish. Food is also a great gift. Your friends and family might love a jar of homemade jam or jelly, fresh baked bread or an assortment of cookies.
No matter how you choose to celebrate the season, it’s easy to see that the most wonderful time of the year is also the greenest time of year. Sometimes a green holiday takes planning ahead, but you may be surprised to find at the end of the season that a greener Christmas is a happy and relaxed Christmas. We wish you and yours a merry and bright (green) holiday season!
Inspiration for these holiday tips were found at:
http://eartheasy.com/give_sustainchristmas.htm
http://www.sierraclub.org/tips/holidays.aspx
