Greener Christmas

Greener Christmas

This holiday season during the economical hardship make this year green with some great money saving and eco-friendly tips.

• Don't cut the tree - Purchase your x-mas tree containing the root ball,then after x-mas make it a tradition to plant the tree. Our family makes a sign for each tree with the year and date we planted the tree. This also helps extend the holiday season and helps the environment by planting a tree.
• Give Eco-Friendly Gifts- Visit www.Gaiam.com for some great eco-friendly gift ideas.
• Use real dishes and glasses. Each holiday season we end up throwing out tons of plastic and paper plates that fill up our landfills and pollute our water supply.
  • If you must use disposable stick to the green product that are biodegradable. My favorite is Earth Shell, I pick them up at my local Wegmans and I pay $2.85 for 25 plates and the plates are nice and thick. Plus they are made out of corn and fully biodegradable. For a full range of disposables that are environmentally friendly you can also visit www.thegreenoffice.com
  • Wash you dishes in a green dishwashing detergent that is Phosphate free. Try out http://www.shaklee.net/edge/product/00295
• Create your own wrapping paper - Use paper bags and let the kids decorate them with some of their famous artwork then wrap gifts with the decorated paper.
• Send Electronic Cards - When sending invites or thank you cards try this year using email or www.evite.com this will not only save on paper but also carbon emissions.
• EcoDecorations - Try decorating the table using materials found outside such as extra clippings from your Christmas tree, cranberries, bark and rocks.