Dreaming of a ‘Green’ Holiday
Ideas for an Eco-friendly Celebration.
December 1, 2008
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YahooMyWebFrom presents to party-planning, observing the holidays in true "green" style is possible. If you’re looking for ways to be more environmentally friendly, the following ideas will help you to celebrate in a creative and eco-friendly way.
In the new book The Green Year, author Jodi Helmer provides simple and inexpensive eco-friendly ideas, such as:
- Gifts that don’t require batteries. Nearly 40 percent of all battery sales occur during the holidays. Eventually, worn-out batteries end up in landfills, leaching toxic metals into the soil and groundwater. If you do buy gifts that require batteries, give rechargeable batteries.
- Fair trade handicrafts: Many stores sell items that help provide a fair wage to tradespeople around the world.
- Stainless steel water bottles: Got any fitness buffs on your holiday list? Stainless steel water bottles are a trendy and eco-friendly gift, free of the toxic substance that is used to make clear and shatterproof plastic.
- For pets, choose toys made from recycled or natural materials. Stuffed toys made from recycled water bottles and hemp tug-of-war toys are readily available at pet stores.
Eco-Friendly Families (ISBN-10: 159257761X), a new book by Helen Coronato, is a parent’s perfect guide to raising a family with "green" values. Gift ideas include:
- Plant a mini herb garden in anticipation of holiday hostess gift needs.
- Gather a snowman kit for a favorite child or for the young at heart
- Use an empty toilet paper roll, add small trinkets and candy inside and wrap with comics or cloth to create a personalized Christmas Cracker in true English tradition
The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Green Living helps increase awareness and concern over global warming. Author Trish Riley suggests the following decorating ideas:
- Decorate a tree living in your yard instead of buying a cut tree that will end up as mulch and which has most likely been sprayed with agricultural petrochemicals that you don’t want to expose your family to in your home.
- Clip colorful pages from old magazines to patch together customized gift wrap for each package.
- Buy LED holiday lights if it’s time to replace old ones.
The Pocket Idiot’s Guide™ to Your Carbon Footprint is a highly practical and easy-to-use reference that helps readers learn how to do their part to combat global warming. Author Nancy Grant suggests the following green holiday tips:
- Get together with the folks in your neighborhood to discuss reasonable times to begin and end "light up" events. For example, Sunday through Thursday are school nights — everyone could agree to shut off their decorations by 9 p.m. on those evenings, when most children have gone to bed.
- Be honest with yourself about your shopping habits and budget. If you’re not going to be buying from a particular company’s catalogue, phone their 800 number and ask to have your name removed from the mailing list. This will reduce the energy and resources needed for printing and shipping.
- When shopping, leave your car in one parking spot and walk or ride public shuttles between shopping districts.
The World Vision Gift Catalog offers items that benefit children and families living in poverty here in the United States and around the world. The World Vision Gift Catalog, located at www.worldvisiongifts.org, offers more than 100 poverty-fighting gifts ranging in price from $20 to $39,000 that can be purchased in the name of a friend, colleague or loved one. Your donations can help dig new wells; provide animals such as goats, alpacas and chickens that give families milk, wool and eggs; and supply seeds, fertilizer, equipment and training to assist farmers grow food to feed their families. The gift recipient in turn receives a special card describing the gift that was purchased and the impact it will have in the life of a person in need.
All great ideas.
Just to add a reminder. Gift wrap is a terrible waste especially because there are so many other alternatives available. Our favorite is using fabric wraps, then doing some simple techniques like those at bobowrap.com to tie them up. Gifts look gorgeous and the wraps can be passed on from recipient to recipient.
Another idea is if you do purchase a book as a gift, plant a tree at the same time. You can go to Eco Libris and for $1 purchase a tree that will be planted in an area of the world where deforestation is destroying not only forests, but livelihoods.
We’ve got hundreds more suggestions in our book, “Celebrate Green! Creating Eco-Savvy Holidays, Celebrations and Traditions for the Whole Family.”
Thanks for your interest in this topic.