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The Christmas Tree is not all that is green
November 5, 2007
Over-the-top holidays are going out of style. They encourage us to live beyond our means and stress us just so we can have an impressive, showcase Yuletide.
Some are getting so fed up with over-consumption, they participate in Buy Nothing Day. Buy Nothing Day is the day after Thanksgiving when many vow not to make any purchases.
This Christmas, we need not abandon all gift-giving to regain our sanity. By extending the green trend into our holidays, we consume less. We also have an opportunity to make our friends and family feel more loved than if we bought them the requisite big box store gift card.
Here are some ideas to make your holidays special as well as light on the Earth:
· Establish a repurposed theme this year. If your circle of friends and family will agree to shop re-sale, the landfills are saved a double-hit. A lot of times, the profits of thrift shops go to charities—an extra bonus! For the recipient, this ensures a unique gift—maybe some vintage jewelry or antique glassware!
· Give the gift of lessons. Someone may have always wanted to try their hand at piano playing or knitting. Pay a teacher to get them started; or if you are the expert, offer lessons in your home.
· Create something from the kitchen. Try giving some sweet breads, caramel corn or even bath salts. What a touching gift when the giver makes something especially for someone else!
· Not wanting to cook or bake yourself? You can always order some organic chocolate or coffee.
· Donate money to a charity in honor of the recipient. For some ideas, try the Alzheimer’s Association, Susan G. Komen Foundation, American Lung Association or American Heart Association.
· How about giving a starter garden kit complete with seeds, gardening tools and how-to book?
· Is there a music or theater lover on your list? Look into purchasing some event tickets.
· You can’t give a much greener gift than planting a tree in the recipient’s name.
· For more gift ideas such as organic cotton clothes and environmentally-friendly toys and games, check out these sites: Ecoexpress.com and Greenfeet.com.
· Here are even more environmentally-friendly retailers.
The holidays don’t require us to do things the same way. It certainly feels joyful to use a merry Christmas conscience!
Copyright 2007 Neighbors About Town
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The traditional Christmas Tree at one time was put up on December 24th and taken down on the twelfth day of Christmas. It was considered bad luck to have a tree up outside of these twelve days of Christmas. |