Green Your Holidays October 30, 2007

Americans throw away 25 percent more trash between Thanksgiving and New Year’s as compared to any other time of the year. The extra waste amounts to about 1 million extra tons per week. That’s a LOT of extra garbage!

Here are some gift and celebration ideas to help you generate less waste and experience what really matters – the joy and memories of the holiday season:

1. The gift of experience…
   • tickets to a ballet or dance company
   • tickets to a concert or symphony
   • tickets to a sporting event
   • lessons for golf, tennis, skiing, snowboarding, scuba, swimming, cooking, financial planning, painting, sculpting, sewing, dance, foreign language, a musical instrument - something the person has always wanted to learn
   • hand, foot or body massage / spa treatment
   • manicure / pedicure
   • an annual pass to state parks
   • horseback riding
   • gym membership, pilates, spinning or yoga class
   • membership to a swimming pool
   • gift certificate to a bowling alley or skating rink
   • membership to a zoo, aquarium or museum
   • service you can provide like babysitting, raking, gardening, painting
   • gift certificate to a restaurant
   • tickets to the movies
   • subscription to a favorite magazine
   • a bus pass
   • charitable donation in the person’s name
   • edible gift, such as a home-cooked meal or baked goods
2. Creative wrapping…
   • For large, unwieldy gifts, add a large, reusable bow on a large gift
   • Create a “treasure map” to find an unwrapped gift hidden in the house or yard
   • Place gifts inside containers like a backpack, purse, knit hat, flower pots, or baskets
   • Use reusable or re-used gift bags
   • Package small, themed gifts in a larger item – such as plates or table service inside placemats or a tablecloth or kitchen utensils in an apron or decorative dishtowel
   • Start a tradition of Christmas stockings for each person. Stocking gifts are not wrapped and the stockings can be used year after year.
   • Make your own wrapping paper by using pages from the newspaper, comics or magazines.
   • Wrap presents in your own or your children’s artwork
   • Decorate paper shopping bags or cut pieces from maps, calendars or posters.
   • If you do buy wrapping paper, be sure it is recycled-content wrapping paper.
   • Replace ribbons and bows with evergreens, berries, dried flowers, origami or hand cut snowflakes
   • Save cards, bags, boxes and bows to use on future gifts.
   • Make gift tags from last year’s cards.
3. Festive parties…
   • Use washable utensils, dishes, glasses, napkins and table coverings rather than disposable
   • Turn down the heat before guests arrive – the extra people will provide plenty of warmth
   • If you are attending a potluck or bringing an edible gift for the host, package it in a reusable container
   • Decorate with plants. After the party give the plants to your guests to take home and plant 
   • Make it easy for your guests to recycle at parties
   • Send leftovers home with your guests in reusable containers or donate the food to a local homeless shelter
   • For seldom worn party clothes, consider renting or shopping in a consignment shop
   • Take advantage of food waste recycling services where they are offered
4. After the holidays…
   • Recycle your Christmas tree, garland or wreaths. Better yet, instead of cut tree, buy a live tree that can be planted after the holidays. If you don’t have room for it, donate the tree to a school, nursing home, or church.
   • If you received new items that will replace current possessions, donate them to a local charity.
   • Before you recycle all those Christmas catalogs, email or call customer service to be removed from their catalog mailing list.

Related Posts:

• Buy Nothing Day
• Is on-line a greener way to shop?

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