Eco-Friendly
I'm Dreaming of A Green Christmas
By Alice Starr Standish
Dec 16, 2007 - 12:53:16 PM

The Holidays are all about giving. So what better way to celebrate than to give back to Mother Earth by going green this holiday season? There are hundreds of simple things everyone can do to help reduce their environmental footprint, especially this time of year.

            Americans create about 25 percent more waste between Thanksgiving and New Years than they do any other time of year. Here are a few tips to help you cut down on yours.

            When you are out doing your holiday shopping, try taking a canvas bag with you instead of putting all your goods into plastic bags. Celebs like Keira Knightley and Reese Witherspoon have opted to go for the “I’m Not a Plastic Bag” bag to reduce their impact. Tote bags never go out of style, but you can always use whatever is around the house.

            Every year, almost 3 billion holiday cards are sold in America. Writing holiday greetings is a tradition, but spice it up this year by making sure to get cards made out of recycled paper, and include a note telling your loved ones to recycle the card instead of throwing it away.

            When considering what to use in your holiday wrapping, think about how much wrapping paper is thrown away each year. According to the California Integrated Waste Management Board, 38,000 miles of ribbon is thrown out each year—enough to tie a bow around our planet. This year, buy recyclable boxes and paper, or try putting your presents in bags that can be easily reused! Set aside a bag to collect all the bows in and save them in the closet for next year.

            If you haven’t already bought your tree and don’t know what kind is best for the environment, go for a real Christmas tree. Most Christmas trees are grown on farms, and the National Christmas Tree Association reports that farmers plant one to three new seedlings for every tree they harvest. Real trees are also biodegradable and recyclable! Trees can be turned into mulch and become a source to help new trees grow.

            Be smart this year about what decorations you use and how you use them. You can buy LED Christmas lights at any Home Depot or Target to consume up to 90 percent less energy and reduce your power bill. When you are out shopping, pick up a timer for your tree and house lights, so that when you go to bed at night, you don’t have to worry about remembering to turn them off. Not only is this better for the environment—it’s better for your safety. Each year about 150 fires in the U.S. are caused by Christmas tree lights being left on all night.

            And finally, when deciding what to get for hard-to-shop-for in-laws and uncles, get them something that everyone can appreciate. Donations to charities like the Sierra Club or the Worldwide Wildlife Fund can be made in someone’s honor. Help your loved ones help the earth live and thrive. After all, there’s no better gift than the gift of life.