Last Minute Ideas for a Green Christmas

While Christmas is only a day away, there are still many things that likely need to be put in order. For those of you who have caught the Christmas spirit, you might be thinking of things in terms of Santa's elves, who are still working at wrapping, stuffing stockings, and decorating the North Pole. Have no fear, however, because the Green Connoisseur is here to help you navigate your way through the world of green festivities. Wrapping Paper Wrapping paper is a beautiful way to be festive and to show the receiver that you care enough to go over the top with ribbons and bows. There are great green ways to show you care, however, other than coating a box in Santa and his reindeer. When it comes to wrapping paper, recycling the used wrapping is a first step towards sustainability. Saving this year’s paper and reusing it for next year is an even greener way. Just tell your loved ones to be careful as they unwrap and collect the paper once the gift has emerged. Another great idea is to use colorful newspapers or magazines that were headed for the recycling bin and choosing images and articles that speak towards the gift recipient. While it may not be store bought, a movie review starring a favorite actor wrapped around a special gift would really show that you care. If you have kids, why not let them decorate with crayons or markets using paper grocery bags as the base. Or, to be truly sustainable, try something completely reusable such as a bandanna or old shirts. Decorations Ribbons for gifts or for a wreath, and ornaments for a tree or for around the house, can all have a green twist. For ribbons, think about using the old tape from a video or cassette. They curl just like traditional ribbon using scissors! Or for the special gift, try decorating with broken shoelaces, old buttons, tape measures, or even broken Christmas lights to make a gift look truly original. If you have Christmas tree lights that still work, try stuffing them into an empty wine bottle for a festive centerpiece. Better yet, choose LED Christmas lights that use 80-90% less energy for all of your lighting needs. For tinsel to decorate a tree, think about using aluminum cans and cutting them in a spiral to loop around or across a tree, wreath, or anywhere else around the house. Just be careful with your fingers and be sure to recycle the cans again after the holidays. So, Merry Christmas Eve from the Green Connoisseur for those of you who celebrate the holiday, and remember that no matter the occasion, there is an eco-conscious way to celebrate in luxury! Image Credit: QPSU, Cliquee, Country Living, Ticklymoo, Wit and Whistle, Daily Danny

The Greenest Christmas Tree: Tips for Eco-Friendly Holiday Decor

Thanksgiving and Black Friday have come and gone; holiday decorations are going up all over town - what's the most eco-friendly way to deck the halls this holiday season?  

The biggest concern is finding an eco-friendly Christmas tree.  Are artificial trees better for the planet or can you enjoy the beauty of a live tree as well as a green lifestyle?  Trimming the tree also deserves attention, from the ornaments and garland to the power-consuming lights.  Here are a few tips to help you make the greenest choices this season.

Eco-Friendly Christmas Trees: Artificial vs. Live

While artificial trees can be reused for many years to come, most fake trees are made with petroleum-based, non-biodegradable PVCs.  When their life finally comes to an end, fake trees sit in landfills and release harmful chemicals into the soil.

Live Christmas trees are typically grown at a tree farm specifically for the purpose of holiday decorating.  Most are transported from local growers, minimizing the impact of shipping, and after the holidays, live trees can be recycled into mulch or composted.

Real trees are generally a better option for the planet than fake trees, but many tree farms use pesticides and other chemicals during the growing process.  Organic Christmas tree farms are becoming more common for an even greener holiday season.

Other planet-safe tree alternatives include:

• Rent a Christmas tree: Tree rental services are popping up in Canada, the US, and the UK.  The potted trees are delivered to your home for the holidays, then picked up and planted after the festivities come to a close.   
• Recycled paper trees: Small cardboard Christmas trees, along with cardboard ornaments, can be purchased online and offer a festive and crafty alternative for the holidays.  
• Make your own tree: Recycled junk can make a creative alternative to a traditional Christmas tree, like the Mountain Dew can tree pictured here.  You can also try garland and wire stems, tomato cages, or create a simple wall hanging like this adorable handprint tree.

Green Tree Trimming Ideas

Whether your Christmas tree is real, artificial, or made out of aluminum cans, there are plenty eco-friendly trimming ideas.  Opt for LED Christmas lights to minimize energy consumption.  Consider bows made of fabric scraps, recycled paper chains, or strings of popcorn or cranberries in place of tinsel and garland.

When it comes to tree ornaments, there's a tremendous selection of fair trade ornaments available.  You can also get your children involved and create your own tree ornaments using recycled materials.

We would love to hear what you're doing to minimize your impact this holiday season!  Share your eco-friendly Christmas decorating tips in the comments.

Images via kevindooley, Fresh99, the Hunger Site

8 Sustainable, Earth-Friendly Holiday Ideas

With Thanksgiving celebrations in the making and Christmas feasts just around the corner, we'd like to spread the word on just how easy it is to combine sustainable, earth-friendliness with holiday cheer. From organic turkeys to green utensils, why don't you consider incorporating a greener outlook regarding this year's festivities. 1) Organic Cooking Ingredients Whether you're baking a pie with Farmer’s Market Organic pumpkin filling or using Wholly Wholesome’s Organic Whole Wheat pie shells, organic cooking ingredients provide an array of healthier dietary choices. If you like cooking from scratch, don't forget to choose organic, locally grown fruits and vegetables to create your sweet treat masterpieces and side dishes. 2) Set the Mood with Recycled Goods Recycled goods not only provide interesting pieces of décor at the dining table, but also encourage unique conversation amongst family and friends. At VivaTerra, this Birds on Branch Tealight Holder uses recycled metal with inviting leaf and stem features. Another eye-catcher is the carved wooden work of art (shown) called the Root of the Earth Wine Caddy. 3) Freshen Up with Flowers The sweet scent of fresh organic flowers adds color and delight to a holiday get-together with eco-bouquets and elaborate centerpieces. A few choices in fresh flower delivery include EcoFlora (in Toronto) or the popular Organic Bouquet, which offers Autumn Sunset Lilies, Autumn Grains Wreaths, and the Santa's Rose Bouquet. 4) Organic Wines and Liquors From the certified biodynamic wines of Frey Vineyards to the green beers of New Belgium Brewing, it's easy to serve organic and eco-friendly alcoholic beverages during the holidays. Choose wines with real cork stoppers over plastic versions, as trees are not lost in the manufacturing of cork. No need to stock up on bottled water, whose plastic containers wreak havoc in landfills. Invest in a decent water filter and freshen the taste with fresh lemons. 5) Green Utensils Each year, nearly 100 billion plastic, paper and Styrofoam plates and cups are disposed of in the United States – sending petroleum-based plastics, hazardous foam or chlorine-bleached paper to harm the environment. Don't become part of the problem – use green utensils. Some options include biodegradable, compostable spoons, forks and knives made out of corn, rice, sugarcane, and even potatoes. For example, ultra green goods offer tree-free sugarcane paper products that biodegrade or compost in 60-90 days, and cornstarch cups and utensils that biodegrade or compost in 150 days. Other green utensil companies include:

• Nature Friendly Products – Made from proprietary biodegradable resin.
• Biocorp – Manufactures cellulose fiber/limestone products
• VEGWARE US Inc. – Responsible for Plastarch (PSM), a thermoplastic resin made from natural starch.

6) Organic Tablecloth Dress your table in striking organic table linens. At Rawganique, choose from their organic linen and organic hemp collection that offers an array of colors, including Russett Orange, Olive, Indigo, and Ivory. Made in Europe from organic European hemp or linen, there are 18 different sizes to consider – all with matching table accessories, such as runners, place mats, napkins, and tea towels. 7) Bamboo Bowls and Plates When serving your infamous stuffing or jellied cranberry sauce, embrace the beauty and natural allure or bamboo bowls and plates – crafted from sustainable materials. With a range of colors and styles, you're sure to find items to match your personal style and home décor. 8) Pass on the Plastic Wrap After you've devoured your Thanksgiving meal, it's time to wrap your leftovers with care. The majority of plastic wraps on the market contain PVC – notorious for clogging landfills and threatening the environment. Use reusable leftover containers to keep food safe or reach for the aluminum foil, which unbeknownst to many – is completely recyclable! Image Credits: VivaTerra, ultra green, Wholly Wholesome, Amazon.com

Thanksgiving 2009: an Eco-conscious Affair

Today marks one week before America celebrates Thanksgiving. This historically based holiday is regarded as a joyous time to gather family, enjoy turkey, and eat in excess. While food is a large part of the Thanksgiving experience, for the luxurious, eco-conscious host or guest at a Thanksgiving affair this year, food is not the only way to green your Thanksgiving. Electricity Late November is often a cold time of year. While you certainly want all of your Thanksgiving guests to be comfortable, keep in mind that baking and other kitchen activities will warm up your house whether you adjust the thermostat or not. Planning ahead and turning down or off the heat while cooking is a great way to save electricity while still staying warm. When guests arrive, if you have a fireplace, you can save electricity and add ambience by starting a fire. Candlelight is also always a great way to create a luxurious lighting situation while saving on electric lights. These electricity saving ideas are ways to impress guests with your attractive atmosphere without appearing as if anything is being sacrificed. If anyone asks, however, as an eco-conscious host, you can stand behind keeping your electric bill and carbon footprint down. Centralize While at this point you might already have plans, potentially involving travel, for where to spend next Thursday, being with your friends and family is a great time to discuss future plans. Maybe next year you can plan to meet in a more centralized location. Or think about the travel involved in getting somewhere to celebrate Thanksgiving just weeks before you might be traveling there again to bring in the New Year. While most employers will give you at least a 4-day weekend, just because you have the time off does not necessarily mean you should spend that time traveling. Staying at home and inviting friend and neighbors to celebrate Thanksgiving is a great way to be eco-conscious. Additionally, you could spend your long weekend catching up with old projects and getting ready for winter. One important weatherizing activity is going around and feeling windows for potential drafts. You then can plug those gaps and make your home more heat-efficient. Planet Green has helpful details on how to do this. Waste When planning your feast this year, think about the waste involved. Avoiding paper or plastic cups or plates is a first step in keeping down your waste levels. Silver wear and napkins are also a great way to add sophistication as well as to conserve your party’s contribution to your local landfill. Another way to cut down on waste is to encourage people to be mindful about their serving sizes while still eating their hearts out. While you may think you can eat a half-pound of turkey in one sitting, if you take small pieces at a time, you will avoid leaving extra on your plate once you are full. If everyone can try to have a clean plate at the end of the meal, the amount of waste you collect will be close to nothing and the uneaten food can become leftovers. Another great thing to do with uneaten food, especially if you have much more than you could ever eat, is to donate it to a local shelter. Making a few calls before hand can inform you of how you should prepare the food to be donated. Another option for cutting down waste is to prepare tupperware to be given to your guests with the food they most enjoyed. Try collecting plastic take-out containers from now until Thanksgiving, giving them a good wash, and then you will have a wonderful gift which will help ensure that the bounty prepared for your family and friends will not go to waste. I hope these ideas will help you think about some of the easy ways you can make your Thanksgiving an eco-conscious and wonderful affair. Image credit: The Daily Green, Local Win, Community Action KY, Steve Neuman

Plant a Tree for Arbor Day

Before there was Earth Day, there was Arbor Day. In 1872, Arbor Day was established in Nebraska by agriculturist Julius Sterling Morton, who believed that trees were important asset for any region. Amazingly, over 1,000,000 trees were said to have been planted during that first celebration. Since the nineteenth century, Arbor Day has become a national holiday (now celebrated on the last Friday in April) and has even spread to other countries around the world. Today, concerns about global warming give us more reason than ever to celebrate and promote trees, since healthy forests are instrumental in processing greenhouse gasses and maintaining a healthy temperature for the planet. Of course, the most popular method of celebrating Arbor Day is by planting your own trees. If you've got some yard to spare, Peaceful Valley has an excellent selection of organic tree stock, including many fruit- and nut-bearing varieties (although unfortunately their selection is much, much better in the late summer and fall). If you don't have that kind of space or don't feel like getting your hands dirty, the environmental benefits of tree planting can still be yours through the Be Green website, which allows customers to have trees planted at ecologically sensitive sites, as gifts for a variety of occasions from Mothers' Day to weddings. It's never too late to plant a tree, but if you celebrated Arbor Day this year you're in good company. Here's a slideshow of celebrities joining in (including the image above) by way of the Huffington Post.

Easter Traditions

If you like to dye Easter eggs, why not try natural dyes this year? A traditional method involves gathering interesting leaves and flowers, fastening them to the eggs, then dying with a broth of onion skins. The eggs, such as those pictured above, range in color from golden to reddish to brown. Nikki Wright's blog explains this process in detail. Digs magazine has another good article on natural egg dyeing - fundamentally the process involves boiling bright colored fruits, vegetables, and flowers to create a range of dyes, but these results (pictured below) are unusually vivid, so this article should provide a good basis for your own experiments. Looking for more Easter treats? Try filling a basket with actual grass, rafia, or shreds of colorful recycled paper (whose idea was plastic grass, anyway?) and topping with organic jelly beans and chocolate bunnies.

Teach Kids to Respect the Environment with Animalopoly

As a nature and animal lover, I couldn't resist passing up a post regarding an interesting take on an unforgettably classic game. Prepare for a holiday gift idea that not only expands the minds of children, but also instills compassion for the environment. Animalopoly ($~27.99) offers just as much fun as the traditional Monopoly game, but instead of landing on Park Place and picking up Free Parking, you have the chance to get chummy with a few members of the wild animal kingdom. Designed for 2 to 6 players (ages 8 and up), the game features colorful, stimulating imagery and fun facts found on the back of Animal Certificates. With Animalopoly, you exchange the world of real estate and mortgages for the excitement of becoming a caretaker of animals. No need to collect rent from your opponents – players are expected to pay Meal Fees. The main objective of the game is to also collect all of the "4 Elements" necessary for animals to survive – land, food, water, and clean air. Hopefully, you can work your way up to obtaining a Habitat where an animal can live on its own. I personally would love to purchase this game for my nephew (which I found while browsing Eco Express), but sadly, he's too young to appreciate the message…or the directions. But, if you're in need of a unique eco-friendly gift – I highly recommend Animalopoly.

Eco-Friendly Holidays Part 2: Correspondence Goes Green with Eco-Friendly Holiday Cards and Stationery

In ‘Eco-Friendly Holidays Part 1,’ we talked about how beautiful gifts can be when wrapped in recycled paper, ribbons and bows. In this post, we’ll discuss how all of your holiday correspondence can help reduce waste. There’s nothing like opening up the mailbox and finding a letter or holiday card from a loved one. Bright, festive cards and stationery that contain well-wishes and hopes for holiday cheer can really make your day. As you’re sending out your holiday cards and letters this year, you can feel extra great about it with 100% recycled cards and stationery. Recycled Holiday Cards and Stationery: Don’t Compromise Style When you use eco-friendly Christmas cards or stationery, you don’t have to compromise your elegance or style. They come in an array of vivid prints and colors that will put a smile on your loved one’s faces. RedStamp.com is one company providing recycled Christmas cards and stationery to eco-conscious individuals. “At RedStamp.com, we believe in stylish, graceful living through personal correspondence,” says co-owner and founder of RedStamp.com, Erin Newkirk. “We strive to give endless options to those who are unwilling to compromise the art of paper communication, yet want to remain respectful to the world around them.” Well said, Erin! It’s nice to know that the elegant and beautiful paper connoisseurs of the world can satisfy their desires for gorgeous holiday cards and stationery – and be respectful of our planet at the same time. With an entire line of eco-friendly paper products along with dozens of designers who focus on green items, RedStamp.com has an array of choices for holiday Christmas cards and stationery. How You Can Make a Difference by Choosing Eco-Friendly Holiday Paper Products You may not think that using recycled Christmas cards and stationery will make much of a difference for our Earth…and you’d be wrong. As individuals become more aware of the waste that is generated in just paper products over the holidays, more of them begin making eco-friendly choices. Over the holidays, the waste generated is around 25% more than normal. If everyone in the US sent just one Christmas card this year that was 100% recycled, 50,000 cubic yards of paper would be saved! As you’re thinking of your loved ones this year, shopping for gifts and trimming the Christmas tree, consider the Earth and how much good you could do by sending eco-friendly holiday cards and stationery. Lindsay DiLorenzo, a representative of RedStamp.com puts it nicely – “We believe paper is the currency of communication. And we also believe that it is of utmost importance to be conscious of what paper we are using - as it reflects not just our own personal style, but our commitment to eco-friendly responsibility.”  

Eco-Friendly Holidays Part 1: Wrapping Your Gift with Love for the Earth

The holidays are approaching very quickly! For those who are eco-conscious, this is the perfect time to start planning vegetarian holiday meals and considering green gifts for friends and family. In all the hustle and bustle of the holidays, wrapping paper is usually the last thing on our minds. Unfortunately, in the US alone, the holidays produce around 4 million tons of waste – just in wrapping paper and shopping bags! No one wants to wrap their gifts in dull, unattractive, recycled wrapping paper. Gifts should be nestled in bright and shiny paper, luxurious bows and decorative bags. Luckily, there are some gorgeous alternatives that you can use to make your gifts shine – and make the recipients eager to open them. Recycled Wrapping Paper Doesn’t Have to Be Boring! With the growing concern for the health of our planet, many companies are manufacturing paper goods which are recycled from 100% post consumer materials. While many individuals picture these recycled papers in dull shades of brown and green – this is just not the case. Recycled wrapping paper comes in all shades, styles and types. From shiny blue paper that features charming snowmen to more conservative, taupe paper with majestic pine trees printed on it – there is a style to suit every taste and personality. Earth, Love’n Paper is one company that offers beautifully designed gift-wrap created from 100% post-consumer waste. Get this – the paper is processed chlorine-free and contains vegetable based inks. The backs of the paper contain lines for cutting as well as information about how beneficial recycled wrapping paper is versus traditional gift wrap. While this wrapping paper looks quite luxurious, the company enjoys the fact that it’s so affordable, everyone can use it. By making it available for everyone, they increase the chances that more people will use it. “I want people from all walks of life to be able to afford our gift wrap,” says owner Caren Levin. "The quality of our paper is high-end, but the price is not. In addition, we donate 1 tree for every 10 packages of gift wrap sold through our partnership with Trees for the Future.” Eco-Friendly Trimmings for Your Packages Once you have your gifts nicely wrapped in beautiful, eco-friendly wrapping paper – you will want to make it even more beautiful with the use of trimmings. There are many of these available, including eco-friendly ribbons and tissue paper. You can make your gifts attractive and striking without feeling guilty at all! There are some beautiful gift bags, tissue paper and eco-friendly ribbons that will dress up your packages to friends and family members. Just a few places you can get them from include: www.sweetorganicsandnaturals.com www.dunwoodybooth.com By wrapping your gifts in love for the earth, you can feel extra great about giving them. You may even inspire friends and family members to do the same. Be sure to check out Part 2 of Eco-Friendly Holidays for more green holiday surprises – it’s coming soon!