Talking About Green

The holidays can be particularly difficult for those who feel pulled in two directions.   You probably harbor the desire to participate in the spirit of the season, but simply can’t condone the rampant waste that accompanies this consumer-driven time of year.  Whether you’re purchasing manufactured goods as gifts, wrapping them in non-recyclable paper, or decorating a tree that once had a happy life in the forest (and will end up littering a landfill), you can’t seem to find your way clear to be joyful when you are surrounded by the ongoing pollutions and deforestation that the holidays promote.  However, you can do your part to help the Earth while still enjoying the finer aspects of the season by simply embracing eco-friendly decorations.

Here are a few ideas to get you started.

1. Fake it.  One of the worst offenders when it comes to environmental waste comes in the form of Christmas trees.  You may have noticed that no other holiday seems intent on denuding our planet’s forested areas for the sake of seasonal tradition, so if you insist on employing this symbol of the holiday, at least opt to do less harm by purchasing a fake tree instead of a cut one.  For one thing, you will be contributing to the continued oxygenation of our atmosphere, and for another thing you will not be dumping a dead tree into a landfill (along with a million other dead trees).
2. Get a helping hand.  Enlist the aid of friends and family to create your decorations this year.  Get crafty with recycled and “found” items to make ornaments for your tree, a wreath for the door (use branches trimmed from your own shrubbery or look online for interesting alternatives like painted cardboard or dried berries), and paper snowflakes to hang in the window.
3. Go au naturel.  This is not a free pass to prance around your home naked this holiday season.  Instead, use items found in nature to decorate your home.  A few pinecones and sprigs of spruce gathered from the forest floor, some potted mistletoe and poinsettias, and a bowl full of organic fruit and nuts can really add a rustic touch to your holiday decorations and they will save you money even as they cut back on waste (leftovers can be deposited in your compost pile or simply left out to decompose naturally).
4. Gettin’ stringy with it.  Another great way to decorate is to make your own strings.  You can easily pop up some corn and thread a needle to create strands for your tree, string together candy in seasonal wrappers, or visit an antique, pawn, or second-hand shop to find items that you can give a second life as a decoration (buttons, wooden spools, bags of costume jewelry, and other small items are your best bet, and probably pretty cheap).  If you have pets, just make sure they can’t reach any of the edible strings.
5. Light a fire.  Most holiday lights bump up your energy consumption right along with your utility bill, so instead of opting for regular fare, consider lighting up your space with candles instead.  They smell good and give your home a warm and inviting feel.  For outdoor decorations, use the power of the sun by choosing solar powered LEDs to hang from tree branches, wrap your bannister, or line your path.  There are eco-friendly options for every home, so don’t hesitate to seek alternatives and take the opportunity to give back to the planet that houses us all.

Sarah Danielson writes for Security labels where you can find custom security labels and stickers.