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Green Christmas: 5 Easy Ways to Be Eco Conscious During the Holidays

December 3, 2012 By: Anna7 Comments

 

 

Have a Merry Green Christmas

I love the Christmas season.  Every part of it! The holiday spirit, the decorations, and the parties.  But can we combine consumption with green consciousness?  Absolutely.  Here are some easy ideas to keep your green sanity during the holidays.

1.  Starts with the Christmas Tree:

Go with the real version rather than the PVC laden one.  Check out my Charlie Brown Christmas post which tells you how to source a tree from a sustainable farm, how to replant a live tree rather than cut one down  to where you can rent a tree (depending on where you live.)

My preference, if possible, obtain a tree that you can replant or use an alternative type plant.  Doesn’t a rosemary bush tree sound divine?

Or simply be creative.  No one said you have to have a tree.  Check out alternative Christmas tree ideas  to get your creative juices flowing. Old books anyone?

2.  X-Nay the Wrapping Paper

Gift wrap and all the trimmings  is such a waste when you can simply look in the cabinets or even the recycling bin to wrap your gifts.  Here are some ideas:

  • Reuse old Cards to Make Gift Tags.  (Don’t have any?  Start saving for next year.)   See how I use mine.
  • Wrap with the funny pages to give your giftee a chuckle.
  • Wrap Minimally.   See my suggestions here where LESS is MORE.
  • Use Sustainable Bows and Ribbons.  I’ve taken the guess work out of it for you.  Buy sustainable bows  here and   here.

3.  Light up with LEDs

Be sure to string LED lights around your home rather than conventional lights.  Check  this handy calculator to see your energy consumption for both conventional versus LED lighting.

4.   Holiday Cards

Consider sending online holiday cards instead of the usual glossy cards that are sent.    Think about the paper use, chemicals, and the transportation footprint to get that little old card to your doorstep.  Worse yet.  Let’s be honest.  The card usually ends up in the trash.  Check out Pingg’s  and Paperless Post Christmas photo cards. (I have used both in the past.)

5.  De-Stress Shopping for Holiday Dresses

How many times do you wear the same dress?  Okay, more than twice or three times?  Girlfriend, be serious.  Why bother to buy when you can rent amazing designer dresses.  I did for my son’s bar mitzvah.

So, if I can do this for such a big event so can you.

So think of the green that you will be saving by renting. No one needs to know you rented that amazing designer dress.

Join the Conversation:

  • What are your favorite tips on how to make the holidays greener?
  • Have you or will you use any of the above ideas during the holiday season?
  • Have you ever rented a dress, handbag, etc?

 Note, some affiliate links in the post. GT earns a small commission to help keep rolling out great content.

Photo by Dreamscape Photographs

Similar Posts:

  • Greener Holidays: Sage Advice to Last You Through Gift Returns
  • To Wrap or Not, That is the Eco-Friendly Present Question
  • Reuse your Greeting Cards to Spread Joy to Others
  • 10 Tips for a Green Christmas. Start with the Tree.
  • Recycled Content or Live Christmas Tree Alternatives for the Holidays

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About Anna

Anna Hackman is the editor of Green Talk, and owner of The Naked Botanical and a avid (okay obsessed) gardener. She also loves video and podcasting and hosts Green Talk TV and Green Talk Radio. Her most important role is being a mother of four boys.

Chat with her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest , and Google+.

Comments

  1. 1

    Kari says

    December 4, 2012 at 12:53 am

    I don’t understand why buying a live tree every year would be more eco-friendly than reusing a plastic tree for decades. I could see you recommending purchasing a used faux tree from the thrift store or using a family hand-me-down instead of purchasing a new one, but I don’t see how cutting down a tree every year (and having millions of people doing so nationwide) is good for the environment?

    Reply
    • 2

      Anna@Green Talk says

      December 4, 2012 at 1:06 am

      Kari, I actually advocate to not cut down the tree but replant it. I am in the minority since it is a lot easier said than done. You can only keep the tree inside for a week. I also point to alternatives to cutting down trees to in my Charlie Brown article, such as renting, alternative trees, etc.

      Most people are going to choose between a live one and a plastic one. I do see your point but a PVC laden tree is so hazardous to the environment and the health of the family. Many contain lead.

      I do wish more people would replant or companies would spring up offering to replant in parks, etc. http://chej.org/2011/12/top-fi.....ay-season/. Thanks for your comment. Anna

      Reply
      • 3

        Anna@Green Talk says

        December 4, 2012 at 1:18 am

        Kari, I updated the post to reflect my thoughts. Thanks for catching this issue. Anna

        Reply
        • 4

          Kari says

          December 4, 2012 at 1:39 am

          Thank you- I was honestly just curious. I always thought I was doing a greener good by reusing the same tree every year. This does make me want to look closer at what it is made out of, though it was very cheap so I assume my answer isn’t going to be good!!

          Thanks for your post!!

          Reply
          • 5

            Anna@Green Talk says

            December 4, 2012 at 2:03 am

            Kari, thank you since I honestly wasn’t that clear. It does pain me to see people chop down trees. I honestly thought with the eco-movement that companies would be offering to replant trees for people. Sounds like you had a lot of fun at Knott’s Merry Farm! Love the Snoopy!

  2. 6

    Kiva says

    December 4, 2012 at 6:19 am

    Christmas can be such a wasteful holiday so it’s great to keep green on the mind when going through the holiday. With all the presents coming in it’s a fine time to donate and give away things that are not being used.

    Reply

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  1. Being More Green this Christmas… | Pastiche Events | Chicago says:
    December 16, 2012 at 12:11 pm

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