Eco Friendly Green Christmas Ideas

Here’s a list of ways in which to put some green into the upcoming Christmas season.

DECORATING

For your Christmas tree, you have a couple options. If you already have a synthetic tree, then stick with it. Don’t buy a new one. Artificial trees have a terrible impact on the environment (the products that they are made of and the transporting of the trees leaves a huge carbon footprint). A real tree is the “better” alternative, but make sure to purchase from a local lot and contribute to a tree planting program so that what you take from the ground is replaced.

If you don’t have LED lights yet, then get some as soon as possible. They consume a lot less energy and, therefore, are better for the environment. Some home hardware stores such as Home Depot offer a Christmas Light Recycling program. While the program is running, you bring in your old lights for recycling and receive a significant discount off of new LED lights.

When your decorations or lights are not in use (or during the day), ensure all your lights are unplugged.

Make your decorations. You can string some popcorn, or you can surf the web for some other great Christmas ornament projects. I love these paper ball ornaments… they make for a great decorative touch!

Beware of candles. Burning candles in your home can release toxins into the air. Furthermore, you’re burning them during the coldest time of year (when you’re least likely to open windows and air out the house… thus trapping the toxins in your home for months). Opt for soy, beeswax or natural vegetable oil candles. Scentless is best.

If you like the smells of Christmas in your home, there are a few environmentally friendly options. Greenery (holly, ivy, pine and spruce) or flowers (carnations, poinsettias and roses) can make the house look and smell delightful. You can also use pure essential oils in burners. Another way to make your house smell scrumptious is the holiday baking you would be doing anyway (shortbread, apple cider and gingerbread are a few wonderful scents).

Paper plates and napkins may be convenient, but they have a terrible impact on the environment. Make sure to use real linens, dishes, cutlery and stemware (plus it looks more elegant than the disposable alternatives).

GIFT GIVING

Try giving handmade gifts. A knitted scarf, homemade candle, crocheted hat, or bath salts are a few creative ideas. The time and effort used to make the gift usually means so much to the recipient. If you’re not crafty, then try buying your gifts from a local market or craft fair.

Buy environmentally friendly gifts. For example, instead of purchasing the conventional toothbrush as a stocking stuffer, spend a little more and buy bamboo toothbrushes. Want to give a handbag as a gift? Eco-Handbags have some great, unique, purses, bags and wallets!

Try giving experiences. Some examples of experiences to give include; a subscription to the ballet or a local theatre, a spa day, yoga lessons (my personal favourite), horseback riding lessons, etc.

Try giving gifts that contribute to the world and your community. Some great charities include:

• Canada Helps– I love this program! A gift card can be purchased online to use toward any charity of the recipient’s choice. I love this idea because the recipient is an active part of the charitable process; they can research the hundreds of Canadian charities and apply the gift card to the charity of their choice. The gift giver can also choose the picture featured on the “card”, and the card can either be printed off and given to the recipient or it can be e-mailed (which is even better for the environment)! A similar charity is Alternative Gifts International.
• Make a Wish – Help an ill child have the wish and experience they’ve always wanted.
• Operation Eyesight – Give the gift of eyesight.
• Oxfam – You can give a goat, donkey, chickens or clean water to a community in need.
• Save The Children – A gift card is provided for you to present to the recipient of the gift. This charity helps children throughout the world.
• UNICEF – Many wonderful giving options to help make a difference in the lives of children.

Contribute to your local homeless shelter. The gift of food and a warm bed could make a huge impact on a person’s life.

GREETING CARDS

In the age of computers, you could always send a digital Christmas card. There are many online card companies that have a variety of templates available. You could even go through Smilebox to make personalized holiday cards and make a digital greeting card that also has a slide show embedded into it!

If you prefer the traditional greeting card, then consider making your own from recycled scraps.

You can also make a photo greeting card (our family has done this for three years now). A photo card can be framed and kept as a keepsake.

GIFT WRAP

Gift tags can be made out of last year’s Christmas cards.