While the holiday season is typically a time of consumerism and excess, one needn't sacrifice eco-conscious ideals to have a merry holiday. With a few tweaks here and there, it's easy to go green without being in the red for the season of giving. Here are 5 great ways to green your holidays:
1. Buy eco-friendly gifts:
Inhabitat's Green Gift Guide offers over two hundred green gift ideas for every recipient on your list. Giving friends and loved ones responsibly crafted, sustainably designed presents will help perpetuate green living.
The most ecologically sound way to decorate your home with a Christmas tree is to buy a living tree, which you may replant so it lives for years instead of just one season! Some cities including San Francisco and Portland also rent trees, and if you do cut a tree you don't plan on re- potting, then be sure to recycle it. Finally, trim your tree with LED Xmas lights to save energy.
No matter how hard greenies try to wrap gifts in reusable materials, such as silk scarves, brown bags and socks, it's inevitable that you'll be left with at least a small pile of wrapping paper. But don't toss it! There are many clever ways to recycle your wrapping paper --compost it, stuff it, mush it, or pet it!
Bonus points if you don't have to buy anything to create said gifts! Flex your craft skills, cooking or carpentry skills, whip up unique, one of a kind presents for recipients who will be wowed by your talent. Or, consider having a Buy Nothing Christmas. There really is a website for everything, and Buy Nothing Christmas offers a stress free alternative to all of the consumerism that surrounds the season.
Tis the season to get in touch and catch up with all of your friends and relatives, but don't send conventional paper cards when you can send cards that recipients can plant to grow wildflowers! They'll recall your kind, green greeting every time they stop to smell the flowers.