Go Green Christmas or Any Holiday
Tip 1. Reuse printer paper, wrapping paper, or gift bags. If the paper is not terribly wrinkled, dirty, or torn then reuse it to wrap packages. Used comic papers make great gifts for children or those graphically inclined. Lots of papers can be found in the recycle bins or by the curb free for the taking. Printer paper, writing tablets, or note pad sheets can be reused from front to back or top to bottom, recycled into makeshift notepads, or torn into strips for kids craft projects. Recycled wraps are can becoming all the rage.
Tip 2. Get stuff for free or set up your own trade group. Get together with friends for a re-gifting oriented party. Finally get rid of the stuff you don’t like, want to use, and remind everyone invited to keep their sense of humor…their gift may make a return. Offer to collect unused, unwanted, or unneeded gifts and give them to charity. Many charities use these as promos or silent auction items during the year. The gift you don’t like may be a lot more than junk but another’s treasure. Think of families without resources that may find an extra set of dishes just the right gift. Freecyclers, Meetup, and Yahoo Groups all have connections to those with a recycle related mind just ready to go green with you. Give or receive new or gently used items during the holiday. Are you a parent with young children? Set up a cloethes or toys trade group for gently used items. Trade with friends or find a deserving family.
Tip 3. Promote recycling amongst your own family and friends or create a recycling group. Each person picks one item to recycle, makes the donation, and gathers the collected funds for charity or a group outing. The idea is not to move fast necessarily but to do good and set some fun goals together. Use your green donation funds to go on a green vacation. Know someone that likes to get large ticket items like appliances based on looks rather than green number…ask for a donation and you might be able to get a refrigerator or stove that’s green on savings but wrong on the new kitchen color or design. Like someone’s sofa, chair, or cabinets then asks they not be destroyed in the next move and the items may look great in your own home.
Tip 4. Give green gifts to family and friends. Light bulbs are an easily replaced item that can save hundreds a year. Your friends and family will love the savings. There are great sites allow you to use criteria to select just the right bulb such as www.energystar.gov. Check out the bulbs offered on or offline. Big box retailers, discount stored, and even energy company resources maintain lists for discount CFL or LED bulbs. There are even green holiday lights available. Shop with retailers and small businesses that use organic, locally grown, items manufactured in an environmentally friendly way, or socially responsible work programs that produce goods for sale. Give rechargeable bulbs. Encourage unplugging of appliances to save energy (you do know the appliances still draw juice when plugged in not just when turned on.) When possible get appliances that will allow you to switch them off or those that cycle off.
Tips 5. Turn old items into something new. We’ve already mentioned art but how about turning napkins into curtains, towels into pet covers, or pots into planters. So many items don’t need to be thrown out if you don’t want to give them away. Many items can have a new life as part of a quilt, pillow stuffing, pet toy, or yard planter. This can even apply outdoors where broken pots can become drainage chips for next year’s planting, old hoses stakes or support, and of course holiday trees or leaves turned into compost. Have an odds and ends party where everyone brings something from the cabinet to cook that they don’t necessarily like or a few bottles of left over liquor to turn into something new once they get to the party. Unused bottles of alcohol can become the basis for eggnog, spiked punch, or a delicious hot toddy. Reclaim birthday or holiday candles and turn into new candle creations. Gather empty jars or silicone containers, melt collected used wax, add a favorite essential oil, and purchase wicks if you aren’t into making your own. You can leave out the wicks and use the recycled candles on candle warmer plates. These new creations can be a unique gift item or way of remembering children’s birthday parties long after the cake and hats are gone. Reclaim soap slivers in netted bags for quick scrubs after gardening or create unique soap molds in the house.
Going green does not have to be a life altering or all consuming way of life. Start small and watch the ways to go green during any holiday multiply.
