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Have a GREEN Christmas!
Be
Green for the Holidays! Want to save money and help the environment this winter? Here are some ideas for “greening” your holiday.
DECORATIONS - If you put lights on your house, put them on a timer (and don’t overdo the amount). - Buy LED lights (see picture). They’re more expensive, but last much longer and use much less energy. Holiday LEDs sells them and offers a free recycling service for your incandescent lights (and you get a coupon). - Buy a real, locally-grown Christmas tree. You can find one close to you at: http://www.texaschristmastrees.com/ - Make sure to turn off your tree lights when not in use; consider a timer. DINNER - Consider having a vegetarian Christmas dinner. If you want to have meat, look into buying local, sustainably raised meat from your local farmer’s market. The Texas Department of Agriculture offers a listing of markets by city. - Don’t overdo it on food. More food is wasted during the holidays than any other time of year – solid waste increases by 25% during the season (EPA). GIFTS - Bring your own bags when you go shopping. - Make holiday cards out of old wrapping paper and ribbon, or send e-cards. - Don’t buy too many potentially unwanted trinkets. Gifts like services, giftcards, and food are just as good and won’t result in as much waste. - As always, remember to look for sustainable and/or locally made gifts. WRAPPING PAPER - Try not to buy wrapping paper; 4 million tons of wrapping
paper and shopping bag waste are generated each holiday season in the - Reduce wrapping as much as possible. Big items especially look good with just a bow. - Reuse ribbons and bows. If every household saved two feet of ribbon, it would be enough to tie a bow around the Earth (Use Less Stuff). - Look for spare paper lying around your house; newspapers (especially comics), old maps, paper grocery bags and even old wrapping paper can be a cute alternative. - Make or buy reusable cloth gift bags. An easy pattern can be found here. Also, try wrapping in reusable cloths such as bandanas. FUN IDEAS - Decorate a tree in the yard for the birds, either by stringing cranberries and popcorn or by dipping pinecones in peanut butter and birdseed. - Instead of or in addition to a Christmas tree, use something you’ll plant later, like a rosemary tree or a vegetable plant. A good gift guide can be found at Treehugger.com. Zero waste photo and greeting cards Reproduct FAIR TRADE GIFTS CLOTHING Bags that donate food FEED Leather and Fur Alternatives Peta's Compassionate Clothing Guide Organic Cotton Clothing The Green Loop Clothes, sports equipment and goodies that are either eco-friendly or give a donation with purchase E-Conscious Market KIDS Eco-friendly, educational dollhouse Wooden Toddler Toys Science kits that teach kids about hydropower, solar energy, wind energy, global warming, fuel cells, and more Thames & Kosmos (much cheaper to buy on Amazon) DONATIONS Give a Tree A Tree Instead Give basics to Indian Orphans The Miracle Foundation “Adopt” a wild animal, out of 100 species, get a plush and a certificate World Wildlife Fund Buy livestock for residents of third world countries Heifer International
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