10 Tips For A Green HolidayThe Holidays are a time for celebration and for the majority of us the festivities mean greater consumption—in fact about 25% more than usual. Having a green holiday is an easy and fun way to be environmentally responsible and involves planning sustainable parties, using real decorations, thoughtful gift giving and thinking ahead about what do with the waste when it’s all over. Plus going green for the holidays can really enhance the magic of your décor, ambience and spirit. After all, everyone notices when you use real natural decorations in lieu of plastic, and nice holiday china instead of gaudy styrofoam plates!
With the winter holidays fast approaching we will have plenty of opportunities to flex our green muscles. Having environmentally responsible celebrations, make a great conversation piece and give a much deserved gift of relief to Mother Nature. Here are some more tips for having a jolly green holiday but more importantly be creative and cut won’t you don’t need, repurpose what you can and recycle the rest!
1. If you are getting a Christmas tree get a real one. Real trees are better, even good, for the environment. Read more about real vs. artificial trees
here.
And if you are ambitious consider a potted tree that you can replant. Read how to care for one
here.
3. When you do your holiday shopping, do your best to keep it local. This helps your neighborhood economy, saves fuel on transportation and helps to prevent urban sprawl. When you do shop bring your own shopping bags and try to get everything at once to prevent repeated trips. Shopping online is a great alternative if you can’t shop local. Try to purchase from vendors who are eco-conscious and do not use unnecessary packing materials. 4. The best gift is one that tells your recipient you know them and care about their interests. Think about the gift and present something the person really wants. If you don’t know consider a gift card. This way your friends and family won’t have to get rid of something they find useless, leading to less waste. 5. Forgo the wrapping paper in favor of reusable boxes and bags. Ask your friends and family if they are going to throw theirs out and take up a collection for next year. If you do buy wrapping paper, choose the recycled variety with high post consumer content. 6. Save used wrapping paper for crafts such as a Christmas scrap book, material to make next years holiday cards, tree ornaments or Victorian style paper beads 7. Give (non-presumptuous) green gifts such as organic lotions, hand made organic clothing, or energy saving devices. 8. Along with non-disposable dishes and utensils, use cloth napkins and tablecloths. If they get stained refer to make your own cleaning products or donate them to your local animal shelter. 9. Use LCD Christmas lights that use less energy and hook them up to a timer. (not many people care about lights at 3am!)
10. Serve organic food at your parties, purchasing meat and dairy from local farms or better yet serve vegetarian dishes.
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