How to Have a Green Christmas

By Crystal Arcand on December 16th, 2008

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Christmas is the biggest opportunity to try the green lifestyle.  You can choose just one thing to take baby steps or go all out and have a truly green Christmas. The three biggest aspects of Christmas are the greetings, the tree, and the gifts. With a few simple steps, you can make an ecological difference for Christmas.

If you still want to go the traditional Christmas card route, simply purchase cards that have been printed on recycled card stock and envelopes. Send postcards for Christmas – there are no envelopes to throw away, and the card itself is half the size. The amount of waste produced by a postcard is 75%  less than traditional card in an envelope (not to mention the savings in postage). If you want to go with completely green greetings, sending e-cards is your best bet. You can send one design to everyone on your list, or send individually personalized ones.

The biggest green impact in your home is the tree. If you choose a live tree, find one close to home to lower shipping and fuel costs, and look into the many recycling options, from mulching or firewood to fencing and building. Many families are getting living trees that are set up in pots while in the house, then planted after the season. While artificial trees don’t have to be disposed of each year, consider the carbon impact of the manufacturing process, including where it’s made, fuel costs to ship it to you and whether or not it is biodegradable when you do dispose of it.

To give green for Christmas, you can choose a traditional gift made from recycled materials, or edible gifts that are organic. Consumable gifts are the most popular green gifts, since very little – if any – of the gift is thrown away. Another increasingly-popular gift is a donation. You can choose actual gifts that help other people, or simply make a donation to a charitable cause in your recipient’s name. Choose an organization that represents something that is important to your recipient.

Whether you choose to do everything green this Christmas, or just take a baby step or two, you’ll feel great about doing a little bit for the earth. And that’s a present for all of us.

(Photo Courtesy of: willc2)