The holiday season is upon us again. People everywhere are celebrating in their own special way; following traditions from Christmas, Chanukah, Kwanzaa, Winter Solstice, Snowflake Day, and many others. It’s a time for celebration, thankfulness, and joy, and yet this time of year also comes with its share of problems. For instance, did you know that Americans throw away 25% more trash between Thanksgiving and New Year’s than any other time of year? In the UK, Christmas alone creates over an extra 3 million tons of waste. It’s a time of year when we tend to do everything in excess, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible to have a green holiday. First, make a resolution to reduce, recycle, and reuse as much as you can. Then read below for tips to help you consume less and consume smarter.
Make New Traditions- While some national and family traditions should stand the test of time, others need to be reevaluated. Sometimes we follow tradition without thinking about it, even when it’s causes stress to us and the planet. Decide who really benefits, then change those outdated rules! Have fun creating new traditions that truly bring you joy.
Buy Local- This action brings about so much positive change and is especially convenient for city dwellers. Buying from local businesses and artisans rather than big box retailers keeps your local economy strong, helping downtown areas to thrive, and even reducing suburban sprawl. It keeps money in the pockets of local individuals and businesses, and the taxes you pay fund your city. You will also reduce pollution since your local purchases require much less transportation than items bought from out-of-town or corporate businesses.
Holiday Lights- Switching from standard (incandescent) Christmas lights to LED strands will cut your electricity bill by drastically reducing the power used. LED light strings initially cost a little more than conventional lights but easily pay for themselves within one or two seasons. For a larger initial investment, solar lights glow without using any electricity at all. Also, use a timer on your house and tree lights to avoid burning energy all night long.
Christmas Tree- Buy a live tree with the roots still in tact and replant when the season is over. Find a local tree recycling location if you purchase a tree without roots. Don’t use tinsel or spray your tree with fake snow, as tinsel and white trees cannot be recycled. Pets also frequently eat tinsel, leaving you with messy holiday surprises.
Shopping Bags- This is the nation’s busiest shopping season, so bring your own shopping bags to reduce waste. You can reuse paper and plastic sacks from the grocery store or invest in cloth bags which can be washed and reused for years. Getting into the habit can be difficult at first, but bags compact easily and fit into purses and pockets until needed. Consolidate your purchases into one bag rather than getting a new bag at each store.
Gift Wrap- If you’re artistically inclined, there is no end to the ways you can salvage scraps of wrapping paper or combine other reclaimed materials to reduce waste. Whether you’re artsy or just pressed for time, bags, fabric, newspaper funnies, magazines and decorative boxes can quickly and easily wrap a gift. Thin, semi-sturdy cereal boxes are perfect for transforming into gift boxes. Instead of wrapping gifts for the kids, hide them and make the search into a treasure hunt. Give gifts that don’t have to be wrapped at all (tickets, membership to an organization, e-gifts), or make the wrapping a part of the gift (food in a reusable dish, clothing wrapped in a scarf, or anything inside a stocking). If every American family wrapped just 3 presents in re-used materials, it would save enough paper to cover 45,000 football fields!
Packaging- When mailing packages you can reuse boxes and shipping materials such as peanuts, shredded newspaper and bubble wrap.
Gift Giving- If you buy presents, look for durable and re-usable items and resist the latest “hot gift”, which can quickly end up in a landfill or thrift store. Homemade gifts are also an eco-friendly choice. Utilize your hobbies and skills to bake cookies or breads, handcraft items in your workshop, or sew/reconstruct clothing or accessories. Some gifts don’t create any waste at all such as concert or movie tickets, or an IOU redeemable for skilled labor (like babysitting or engine repair). Avoid goods which involve unnecessary packaging, like a huge plastic clamshell on a tiny item. Spend less! It takes an average of 6 months for a credit card user to pay off their holiday debt. When buying new gifts, opt for environmentally friendly, sustainably produced, Fair Trade options (see our Green Gift Guide for ideas). Or support your local thrift store and purchase a pre-loved gift. In your family or group you can even agree to stop giving gifts altogether, or agree to only exchange meaningful presents. Or give a gift to others by donating to an environmental, animal rights, social justice or peace organization.
Bad Gifts- It’s inevitable: with the time-crunch and feelings of obligation that the holidays bring, everyone is bound to receive a gift they don’t want. Pass any unwanted presents on to your local thrift stores rather than throwing them away. If the idea doesn’t rub you the wrong way, why not regift?
Ornaments & Decor- Make homemade ornaments with items you would normally recycle: last year’s holiday cards, paper towel or TP rolls, bits from broken toys or games, toothpicks or popsicle sticks, old calendar pictures, soda cans or food tins, old Christmas wrap, etc. Look for materials outdoors such as twigs, bark, flowers and herbs, pine cones, etc. Edible or compostable items like popcorn or cranberries on a string, gingerbread cookies, salt-dough ornaments, or recycled paper garlands make very eco-friendly choices. Thrift stores are also usually brimming with Christmas decorations and ornaments that are often still in their original packaging, but sold at much lower prices.
Food- In this season of excess, many people find themselves eating far more food than they normally do, and making poor food selections as well. Plan smaller meals and snacks to reduce waste and stay in shape during the holidays. Locally grown, organic, plant-based food is best for the environment, our health, and animals.
Holiday Cards- Save old cards and create new ones with some crafty creativity. Sign the back of each card with a note about it’s 100% post-consumer content to spread the word. Old Christmas cards also make great ornaments and holiday decor. Begin a new tradition of sending E-cards and to save natural resources.
Advent Calendars- Homemade advent calendars containing reclaimed items not only save natural resources, but can help get you into the true holiday spirit. See these tutorials for an advent calendar made from a cookie sheet, an earth-themed Advent Stick, and Advent Stockings for brilliant, feel-good ideas.
For more ways to stay “green” this holiday season, see 42 Ways to Trim Your Holiday Wasteline. What are your best eco-friendly holiday tips? Please share your favorite green ideas in the comments below! Happy Holidays everyone!
Posted by Lauren in Fun,Unique on December 31, 2006
As the year comes to an end all the clearance sales jump out at us to entice us to buy one last time. So if you are looking for a great deal, clearance sales are the way to go. There are always awesome deals over on our 
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