How to Have a Green Christmas

With Christmas just around the corner now is the time to plan for your holiday, but it does not mean you have to abandon your eco-friendly lifestyle. Listed below are a few tips to help you go green and still have a great Christmas.

Food Shopping

Produce
Buy organic produce or grow your own fruits and vegetables. Even if you do not have a backyard, you can grow tomatoes in your house or apartment or in a community garden. If you have a friend of neighbor who grows organic produce, ask them if they have any they do not need (before their produce goes bad).

Organic
While shopping for your entree, opt for a free-range, organic turkey, or better yet make it a vegan meal. Tofurkey is actually pretty tasty.

Farmers Markets
Buy from your local farmers markets. You will not only be helping the environment by shopping locally but you will be supporting your local farms and co-ops.

Bring your own cloth bags that you can use over and over again, and don't forget to wash them regularly to prevent contamination. Keep produce in one bag and meat in another.

Decorations

Tree
Artificial tree or live tree? That is the question. There's no wrong answer. If you purchase an artificial tree, plan to use it year after year so be sure to buy one you really like and can grow into as your family grows. However, if you purchase a live tree it can be composted (and used for mulch) because trees are biodegradable.

Decorations
Getting tired of your decorations? Donate them or recycle them if possible. Do not throw them away. Make your own Christmas decorations using nature like pine cones found in the park.

Wrapping Paper
Wrap presents using materials you already have such as paper bags and newspaper. Or if you saved any wrapping paper from last year and it is in good condition, consider using it this year.

Lights
Consider how much electricity you will be using if you put up all of those Christmas lights? If you think Christmas just is not the same without them, at least use LED (lights emitting diode) lights which use less electricity.

Recycle
After Christmas the one thing most people have is trash. Don't forget to recycle your trash including cardboard boxes, plastic bottles, aluminum cans, and paper.

Did you get a present at Christmas you really do not like? No problem. Give it to a friend or family member who might enjoy it more, or donate it to charity.

Having a green Christmas is easy with a little planning. And if you want to give the gift of green, why not make your own presents like homemade desserts, or buy seeds that can be planted in the garden? Then next Christmas, you might just receive the fruits of your own gift.