Christmas Eve is a month away and there is lots to do. Shopping, decorating, cooking, parties and traveling can all take a toll on you and your wallet. Try some of these easy, fun, innovative and cost effective green tips that will help you be more eco-conscious this holiday season.
Natural Holiday Decor & Scents – Pine cones, tree trimmings, baked goods and seasonal produce (cranberries, nuts, gourds, etc.) all give the “look” of the holidays and you don’t have to go out and buy a bunch of holiday decorations. Simmer cloves and ginger instead of burning candles. Rosemary, thyme, and sage are all evergreen, fragrant and can be used to season recipes all year long. You can also try basil, chamomile, lavender and mint. Small, living evergreen trees can be later planted in your yard for year-round beauty. Using live plants like a tall house plant instead of a Christmas tree also reduces the fire risks that come with cut greenery, which can often become bone-dry by the end of the holiday season. Ferns or shamrock plants, crispy white or bright red flowers, like roses or carnations are beautiful and are perfect for eco friendly table decorating.
Design a natural green Christmas garland or wreath by using tree branches from your own back yard for cheap eco friendly Christmas decorations and small inexpensive gifts. Use edible decorations. A Christmas tree with edible, eco friendly Christmas decorations on green branches, like popcorn, candies, cookies and cranberries, looks great, and the birds will be thankful for eco friendly presents after holidays.
Decorate your kitchen and other rooms with wooden, metal, clay, glass or porcelain collections, that include environment friendly products.
Replace your old Christmas lights with Light Emitting Diode (LED) Christmas lights. They are more durable, virtually unbreakable, and since the bulbs have no filament, they don’t burn out and stay cool to the touch.
Use energy saving Christmas decorating lights, environment friendly products, decorating fabrics and Christmas candles for making inexpensive gifts, cheap decorations and indoor or outdoor Green holiday decor items.
Old Christmas decorations and small gifts which you received before can be used for creating unusual and interesting table centerpieces. Re-use last year’s ribbons and bows, and frame especially attractive greeting cards to hang on your walls as holiday accents.
Recycled paper and natural decorating fabrics, like felt, cotton, burlap or sisal twine can be used to create unique handmade greeting cards, Christmas decorations and eco friendly presents.
String popcorn with cranberries for eco friendly Christmas decorations and homemade edible gifts, using dark chocolate, fresh and dry fruits are wonderful Christmas crafts and decorating ideas that you can share with your kids.
Collect burned-out bulbs from old Christmas lights strands to recycle them, making fresh Christmas decoration. Display old bulbs in a glass jar with small evergreen branches or glass Christmas ornaments, that catch the light and reflect it, to add a sparkle to eco friendly holiday atmosphere.
Offer to trade last year’s decor with someone else for the season. Host a party and have people bring their decor items for swap and trade. You never know what you might get! You can change up your theme year to year without spending a dime!
Go Green Christmas Tree – Fake trees may save you some cash but they are made of non-eco-friendly materials. Cutting a tree and throwing it away after Christmas is also bad for the environment. Don’t fret you do have options! Adopt a real tree that grows outside. You can decorate a live Christmas tree with cheap ornaments and LED lights then visit it with your friends and family. Many people enjoy an eco-friendly Christmas holiday party outdoor with games, food and songs before or after a traditional party at home. The sign Adopted Live Christmas Tree … (the year) or The Xmas Tree I Saved This Year on the Christmas tree pictures will always remind you of truly Green, eco friendly Christmas holiday you enjoyed. Hang one or all Christmas tree pictures on the wall for Green holiday decorating. Paper collage, made of live Christmas trees pictures, ornaments or framed photo of the adopted Christmas tree are great eco friendly Christmas gifts ideas that save trees and money. Colorful paper collage, made of family photos makes very personal Christmas holiday decoration or a special gift also.
Tips on how to recycle your Christmas tree after the holidays
Green Gifting
Shop for locally-made goods, whether at a local independent store or a farmers’ market.
Know where you need to go, plan your route and consolidate trips to areas where you can get the most done, know store hours, deals, etc.. It can help you save time, gas and money.
Hit up vintage stores for that one-of-a-kind gift. You’re find something so unique and great that it will be the most talked about gift for years to come.
Purge your house of unwanted items and take them to a consignment store or donate them.
Re-gifting is no longer a faux pas. Why sit on something that you know you will never use again? As it’s in good shape, it’s better off going to someone who will enjoy it.
Sometimes making dinner, spending some one-on-one time (theater tickets, coffee and dessert, movie and popcorn), making a photo album or other personalized gift (a nature wreath, a bouquet of flowers, candle holders, etc) can mean much more than a store-bought gift.
Cut up old greeting cards to use as gift tags or place cards, or tape the front of old cards to inexpensive, plain-color gift bags.
Instead of splurging on new wrapping paper, get creative. Use newspaper, junk mailers or leftover paper. Decorate it and have fun with it! Turning paper grocery bags inside out and decorating them is a great green way to wrap.
Green Christmas Party
Cook large batches of food that can be used in a number of items throughout the week. Also, make large batches of sauces and entrees like lasagna that can be frozen and re-heated in a pinch.
Invest in holiday dishes, glassware and cloth napkins that you use every year. They will be a great part of your tradition and can be gifted to your children as well.
You can also ask your guests to bring their own plates, utensils and glasses. If you’re not in the dish washing mood and want to conserve water, opt for eco-friendly, 100 percent compostable dishes, napkins and utensils instead.
Buy local, organic produce for your salads, snacks and goodies.
Have a well-labeled recycle bin placed in a convenient location for beer bottles, soda cans, etc.
Make wiser drinking choices like juices with organic liquor, organic wines and beers. But most of all, drink responsibly and never let your guests drink and drive.
If you’re not hosting a party and can’t cook, bring organic bagged lettuce, organic dressing, a big bowl and you’ve brought a healthy side everyone will appreciate.
Have a Merry Eco-friendly Christmas!