I’m a sucker for the holidays. Bing Crosby and Dean Martin belting out Christmas tunes on the radio, festive decorations and lights on the streets, tree-shaped cookies served with hot chocolate.
But the environmentalist in me cringes at the consumerism that has become Christmas in America. If you’re not careful, the most wonderful time of the year can turn into the most wasteful. Here are 8 tips to keep your Christmas green — and stay true to the spirit of the holiday season.
Like most conventional agriculture, traditional Christmas tree farms spray their crops with toxic chemicals to keep away bugs and weeds. My local eco-conscious nursery offers a lovely alternative — sustainably grown and harvested Christmas trees.
If there’s one item that’s at every church rummage sale, estate sale, and thrift store, it’s Christmas decorations. Why buy them new when you can get them at bargain prices? Go for a vintage look or buy more recently cast-off ornaments.
Wrapping paper is the most wasteful part of Christmas morning. It might look pretty sitting under the tree, but once it’s torn off and cast aside, it goes straight to the trash can. Use newspaper as wrapping paper instead, or opt for gift bags that you can use again next year.
photo credit: amyrhoda
If you’re going to buy new holiday lights, opt for LED, which are exponentially more efficient than traditional incandescent.
If you the allure of bright red and green wrapping paper is too much for you to pass up, unwrap carefully and save it for next year. Granted, this will be a challenge if you have young kids. Perhaps a better option in that case would be to buy recycled wrapping paper.
It’s less expensive and more environmentally friendly to send holiday greetings online. If you do opt for sending holiday greetings the good, old-fashioned way, check out recycled greeting cards.
I think this is one of the hardest tips for me, as an American, to adhere to. Sure, I love the idea of buying less, but the kid in me still likes opening presents on Christmas morning. If you can’t bear to cut down on gift quantity, consider buying practical gifts that you would have bought anyway. And try to skip electronics. Technology becomes dated so quickly that the must-have iPad may be obsolete by next Christmas. If you do buy electronics, considering buying them second-hand.
Whether you like to bake cookies, knit socks, or brew beer, share your hobby as a holiday gift for neighbors, family, and friends. We’re making an exclusive holiday winter ale to give as gifts this year.
Whatever your Christmas traditions are, follow these tips to make your holiday a little greener. Happy holidays!
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