Have an Eco-Friendly Christmas!

Christmas is a ’spendy”, no holds barred, extravagant time of year. I can’t speak for Kwanzaa or Hanukkah as I have never been around a family celebrating those, but I am sure they are too!

So here are a few ideas to help you keep your year long green missions in check, and not ruin all of the eco-friendly efforts we all do.

• Use LED lights. find these at any home shopping store. HomeDepot, Lowes etc.  You will not only save eco-face but save money on your energy bill too!  Send old strands of  old school incandescent lights to HolidayLeds.com they will take care of recycling!

• Make your own decor.  Use pinecones, acorns, sprigs from trees, holly.  Anything that is pretty, festive and not destined to be around for the next thousands of years (plastic).  String Popcorn and Berries for your tree.  It is a great family project.  My mom and I always did this while my dad and brother went out for the tree.  (my favorite memories)

• Reusable Bags for gifting and shopping. Make your gift a two-fer! Give them a reusable Christmas bag. I got 3 nice, Christmas ones at TJ Maxx yesterday for only $2.99. And make sure you take your own to the stores too.  or use Ecoration bags!

• If you feel guilty not wrapping, or want the kiddos to be able to actually unwrap presents (i love this!) make sure you find a recycled christmas wrapping paper. And please recycle all papers! Find at EarthLoven.com and GreenPaperStudio.com.

• Buy and use a real tree! Fake trees are no good.  not at all.  Petroleum based and in no way recyclable or compostable.  Either get a tree with roots and plant it (this is what we did growing  up) or take it to be made into wood chips and use those around the yard.

• Buy Eco-friendly gifts.  Replace  your lotion and candle sets with some of the organic and/or natural ones you have read about on Prissy Green.  Buy Soy or Beeswax candles.  Find at Dancing Dingo and my store, Prissy Green!

• Skip paper cards. Unless you use a family picture for your cards, consider a phone call or an E-card instead.  Try and keep the over 2 billion Christmas cards out of the trash and recycling bins!

• Holiday Dinner?  Think of hitting up your local farmers market for a free range turkey.  Fresh vegetables and anything else they might have.  Cheese, milk etc.  Dinner will taste better, be better for you, and you will be doing your part so you will feel better!

• Kill the  paper plates and plastic forks. If you just have to have some of those items, try shopping at LetsGoGreen.biz so you are getting the most eco-friendly and compostable varieties.  Use code KRG20 to save 20%.

Karissa Gindling™ for Prissy Green™ ©

Related posts:

1. Green Chic and Eco-Friendly Finds