Green Christmas
I am dreaming of a Green Christmas…, did I just say green Christmas instead of white Christmas! Well if you are an eco friendly person, then this time the Christmas is going to be a green one for you as well. All you have to do is act with a little more responsibility and integrate an environmentally conscious attitude. After all isn’t Christmas all about giving, so how about giving back something to Mother Nature as well. Therefore on this special occasion, I am going to take up this opportunity to help all of you have a happy and Green Christmas by suggesting decoration and gifting ideas that emphasize on the spirit of Christmas.
Save Electricity: For starters we need to save electricity which in turn would reduce the pressure on our natural resources. The house with the most lights is the ‘best’ is passé now as smaller presentation of lights is more tuned to the ’season of giving’ concept. Make use of LED (Light Emitting Diode) lights for house and Christmas tree lighting. LED holiday lights use up to 95% less energy than larger, traditional holiday bulbs and last.
Get Real: This year put up a live tree instead of a plastic one. Although plastic Christmas trees are reusable from year to year they are made of petroleum products (PVC). And use up resources in manufacturing. Also discarded artificial trees are sent to landfills, where their plastic content makes them last forever. Live trees, on the other hand, are a renewable resource. They contribute to air quality while growing, and almost ninety percent are recycled into mulch.
Homemade Cards: Christmas cards from the branded store are rich, elegant and expensive. But consume a huge amount of natural resources. Homemade cards however, may not be as professional, but they are more personal and appreciated better. Making the cards is also a fun activity for the family. A little tip-instead of throwing away last year’s calendar recycle it and incorporate the paper and pictures for making the card.
Recycle and Reuse: Start using environmentally friendly wrapping paper made of fibers such as hemp. Avoid glossy foil or metallic wrapping paper as they are difficult to recycle. Reuse gift wrap where ever possible. Gift bags can be made using fabric scraps as well.
Gift ‘green’: Choose gifts made from recycled sources like a pretty journal made from recycled paper. Give ‘battery-free’ gifts as discarded batteries are an environmental hazard.
For Music lovers: The Solar Power battery Pod with its solar panel made out of bio degradable plastics makes a perfect present to give to friends who love listening to music.
Gift a plant: A flowering plant can be a great gift you could also go a step further and gift seeds. Saving trees to prevent deforestation is a worthy cause.
Organic Sheets: Take a step ahead and gift bed sheets and pillow covers woven from 100% organic cotton or linen to help your family and friends decorate the home with consciousness. .
Organic Cotton Toys: Organic Toys would make a good present for children as they are generally handmade and have tie up with a certain welfare organizations. This is a great way to teach children the spirit of giving and playing at the same.
Non Toxic Candle wonder: Use soy candles as they burn slower and produce less smoke. Also they are non-toxic, and completely free of pesticides, herbicides and petroleum. Hand poured from a blend of renewable vegetable wax it comprises soybean, cottonseed and beeswax oils with a natural-fibre wick.
‘Re-gifting’: Re-gifting makes perfect sense especially if you receive something you really don’t need. You can reuse this gift by passing it on to someone who can use it.
Green Gifts or incorporating eco friendliness while decorating your home can go a long way in you doing your bit for the environment. What’s better than celebrating the festival, promoting a sustainable lifestyle? So “Go Green” and have a Green Christmas.
More articles by Ishna Nerurkar
- Pay homage to the war heroes at the National War Memorial - January 13th, 2010
- Rajni-kant take Can’t! He is the Boss! - January 4th, 2010
- Spirit of Christmas - December 21st, 2009
- Sketching and Painting Workshop at Aperture India - December 10th, 2009
- Achilles and Me - December 9th, 2009
Wow I love this post!
I agree with you — it is better to have a Green Christmas than a white (waste) one.
Wonderful idea.I wish all of us a Green Christmas.