Photo courtesy of Adams Media
Green Christmas, How to Have a Joyous, Eco-Friendly Holiday Season is a mere 6 ¼ by 5 ½ inches in size, but packed to the gills with good advice, personal anecdotes, and tips to keep you on track to green your Christmas. The book written by husband and wife, Jennifer Basye Sander and Peter Sander, and sister, Anne Basye is written with a down to earth style reflective of all of the authors’ own lifestyles. Jennifer and Peter live a simple life with two young children in California busy re-purposing and recycling and trying to teach their children to respect the environment. Anne, on the other hand, is an empty nester urbanite from Chicago, who does not own a car or a microwave and has penned a book on simplicity.
If I were to describe this book in just a few words, I would say it is down home advice. I read the book’s 184 pages very quickly and loved the authors’ personal anecdotal stories on how they have incorporated some of their own advice into their every day life. It make the tips seems more real and easy to accomplish.
The book is broken down into 8 easy to read chapters from why go greening for the holidays is important, green Christmas entertaining, to one of my favorite chapters, green holiday getaways. There was even a section on how to green your office party! Each chapter guides the reader to making easy choices that truly impact his or her carbon footprint. At the end of the chapter, there is a concise round-up of the ideas discussed. There is nothing preachy about this book.
Realize that this book is not just about greening your Christmas. Many of the tips are ones that you can use throughout the whole year. Some of my favorite tips were their crafty DIYer ideas that make the Holidays so special. They are as follows:
- Instead of using lights, use stringed old fashioned strands of cranberries, Hershey Kisses, or popcorn. You will save on energy from not using any lights. Even if you use lights, unplug them and only use the lights for a certain period of the day or night.
- Organize an ornament swap instead of throwing old, unused ones in the garbage.
- Make your own wreaths and swags from what you find in your garden rather than buy something.
- Consider buying green gifts with advice as to where to buy them online. I loved the tip on how to buy for yourself, but at the same time giving one to someone less fortunate.
- Make your own cardboard chairs for extra guests as well as make your own beeswax candles
- Consider having a home cooked Christmas party using locally grown foods.
There are so many more tips that I enjoyed, but I do not want to spoil the book for you. Due to its diminutive size, it would be a great stocking stuffer to help others to green their holidays. So, consider this book as a gift for someone you love.
By the way, no trees were cut down to make this book. It is printed on 100% post consumer recycled paper. I would not expect less from the Sanders-Basye team.
The book can be purchase online. In addition, quantity discounts are available for bulk purchases. So go ahead, and order a bunch for the office.
Do you have a favorite green book gift for the holidays?
busby seo test says
December 9, 2008 at 11:10 amHow much is the price of that book? sound interesting the way you had described here.
Green Talk says
December 10, 2008 at 12:53 amBusby, The book lists for $7.95 but was cheaper on Amazon.com.
Golan7m says
December 10, 2008 at 4:40 pmWe already bought big containers for all those bottles, cans, wrapping etc. for not being lazy to throw it out of home when we all shall be drunk ))
Fendyk says
December 11, 2008 at 3:20 amNice comments ! I like enjoying Christmas holidays as people will rome in the streets and it looks colorful.
Fendyks last blog post..Paterson, New Jersey