I’m Dreaming of a Green Christmas
by Living in Canada makes me long for green Christmases every year – no snow here would be fantastic. However, that’s not the kind of “green” this article is about. This article discusses various ways to make your holidays more respectful of the planet and people around us.
As I sit here writing, there’s a snow storm on it’s way. They are predicting up to 20 cm of snow and temperatures with a high of -21° Celsius. Brrrr! I’m dreaming of more than one way to have a green Christmas this year.
Christmas has become so materialistic over the years as retailers push us to buy more, more, more. It’s important to remember that this is not what Christmas is about. It means different things to different people certainly but there are some universals, regardless of religion or celebration type. Christmas is about love, giving, children, family and friends. There are many ways of honoring these traditions while at the same time, honoring the planet that we all share.
This article will discuss ways to have a more environmentally friendly Christmas by simple tips about wrapping paper, Christmas trees, cards, ornaments and gifts. It’s important to remember that going “green” is a process not a step. By this I mean that you can take tiny, little steps on your way to making your family more environmentally aware. In this manner, going green can become a family adventure instead of a chore. Tiny steps by individuals add up to giant leaps when practiced by many.
1. Wrapping Paper
Many wrapping papers are not recyclable because of the shiny plastic coating on them. Ribbons and bows are nearly always plastic as well. Most people just use these items for one gift and then throw them away. There are many alternatives to using wrapping paper to get your gifts ready for Christmas.
One of the most popular alternatives is gift bags. These decorative bags can be used over and over again. Another big plus is that it takes far less time to put gifts in bags than it does to wrap them!
Another idea is to use children’s artwork as wrapping paper. Not all of their artwork can fit on the fridge. The painted or colored paper will look beautiful under the tree. The kids will like it too as they can easily see that their art work is valued. Afterwards, the paper can be recycled or taken home by the gift receiver as an added present.
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Post CommentLucas Dié
On December 13, 2008 at 4:55 am
Great article. The X-mas tree is a newfangled idea anyhow, it started as recent as the late 18th century. And actually, any tree was a X-mas tree …
nobert soloria bermosa
On December 13, 2008 at 7:43 am
very clever proposals,thanks
Adam Henry Sears
On December 13, 2008 at 9:25 am
Hi, Paula, how are you?
I like this article. I never use bows. If I did, I’d make sure they were recyclable. I’m on the artificial tree side. We’ve had one now for close to a decade. But your idea is terrific.
Thanks for sharing.
Karen Gross
On December 13, 2008 at 9:46 am
Some great ideas. I like the one about using money to wrap a gift, I’m not sure I would do this…
One recycling tradition in my family is to pass a basket back and forth every year, filled with small gifts.
Blue Buttefly
On December 13, 2008 at 11:39 am
Environmental friendly.
YolieM
On December 13, 2008 at 11:44 am
Awesome ideas. Love the article.
Jeff C.
On December 13, 2008 at 5:53 pm
One thing many people ignore is the impact of gift cards! Those things contribute 75 million pounds of toxic, carcinogenic polyvinyl chlorine into the waste stream each year. Their manufacture is even nastier and takes place in third world countries. Support sites like http://www.giftzip.com and Earthworks who are trying to get people to shift from the wasteful plastic to electronic or paper. Gift cards are just a digital code, time to digitize it people!
JennyLee
On December 13, 2008 at 8:28 pm
I liked it and can also sypathise with you I live in a place where winter with snow is too cold and too windy to enjoy. This year has been very cold and windy but not much snow. Bad sign for a green summer.
bjr
On December 13, 2008 at 9:21 pm
I like this very much.
Joie Schmidt
On December 13, 2008 at 10:59 pm
This is a very responsible, important article – nice work!
Blessings.
Sincerely,
-Liane Schmidt.
eddiego65
On December 14, 2008 at 9:17 am
Wonderful ideas. Very environmentally indeed. Thanks!
Andrew DC
On December 14, 2008 at 4:17 pm
Wow! Some great tips there!
amy
On December 15, 2008 at 5:18 am
hello young one ….
i have grown very fond of ye story about a green christmas, i do agree with the ‘materialistic’ point of view however for very young children, surely its worth it…
thanks for listening…
xx
and read my stories … theyre greeeeaaat.
Betty Carew
On December 15, 2008 at 6:41 am
Thanks for all the ideas . Great article!
The Black Enigma
On December 15, 2008 at 8:27 am
Thanks for the ideas will try to implement them!!!
Izzy Daniels
On December 15, 2008 at 5:39 pm
nice ring with the title. good job!
Catelin Hoover
On December 15, 2008 at 10:38 pm
This was great! All your ideas are really good. I have another suggestion for anyone wondering what to do with old greeting cards: Re-cycle them into use by children’s clubs, Sunday school classes, schools. The kids in the Kid’s Club I was director of loved the idea of cutting old cards apart to make a new one.
Sarah B
On December 15, 2008 at 11:01 pm
I always wondered about the third option, but I could never grasp at what it was. Thanks to you I have found it. Now I am a strong supporter of the “potted plant” christmas tree. I think its cute, and I wont feel guilty about chopping down any trees or purchasing a fake tree and have it sit in a landfill long after I’m gone and all my grandkids (and so on and so forth). Great article! I shall take these ideas and put it to use!
Scott Mandrake
On December 15, 2008 at 11:26 pm
Many thanks,
I was expecting another article promoting Greenwashed consumerism. Instead I found your article to be wonderfully geared towards the sustainably minded rather than the eco-fad junkies. Keep up the good work
Scott
Mr Cool
On December 17, 2008 at 1:08 pm
Very clever
Dewan Golam Shafi Choudhury
On December 17, 2008 at 1:27 pm
this is a great article! I like the ideas you have suggested! Hope it works out well!
Rookie Expert
On November 13, 2009 at 2:11 am
I’ve always used newspaper for wrapping gifts, but i like your childrens artwork idea better! You go girl!
Mark Bentley
On November 18, 2009 at 4:07 pm
You can find more of Paula’s writing highlighting environmentally friendly products, services, innovations and issues at her new blog Green Colored Glasses. Living green doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive.