The Eco-Sensible Christmas
The holidays are a time of excess—excessive food, excessive spending, and
excessive wear-and-tear on the planet. Here are a few easy ways to greenify your
holiday season—and most of them will save you money as well!
Area of waste: Food
Problem: Packaged foods require energy to (over)process and even more energy to
transport them the several thousand miles from their home planet. They are usually
nonorganic and unhealthy. After all that carbon involved in bringing them to your
buffet table, they are often overlooked and thrown away in the rush from event to
event.
Solution: Cut back on meats and prepared foods in favor of simple vegetarian hors d’
oevres. Consider: hummus with crudite and whole wheat breadsticks for dipping,
fruit and cheese trays, pita chips with yogurt and herb dips. If you have leftovers,
incorporate them into meals the next day. And don’t forget the importance of organic
and locally-grown goods!
Area of waste: Transportation
Problem: Families are flung to every corner of the world, and neighbors don’t know
each other well-enough to share a cup of flour, much less a holiday. Parties and
events beckon; shopping must be done. Planes, Trains, and Automobiles becomes
not just a good movie, but a set of second domiciles as we rush to squeeze in every
drop of Christmas we can fit in our already-overflowing cups.
Solution: STOP. It is not unreasonable to allow just one or two holiday events per
week—you might actually have fun this year! If you must visit family in far away lands,
make sure your car is in good running order and only as overpacked as necessary.
Invite your neighbors over for a “getting to know you” cookie exchange that just may
become a holiday tradition.
Area of waste: Paper
Problem: Every trash can in the US is full of it for most of December and the better
half of January. It takes energy to make and energy to dispose of, not to mention
millions of TREES.
Solution: Choose cloth instead of paper—not just obvious things like napkins and
placemats, but also shopping bags, wrapping paper, crafts. Choose e-cards and e-
invites—even a quick phone call—wherever possible. Send loved ones a photo and
sign the back with sparkly gel markers instead of (not in addition to!) buying a card.
When you receive a large wrapped gift, unwrap it with care and save the paper to
wrap a smaller object next year. Avoid wrapping Santa Claus gifts, stocking stuffers,
and any gifts that won’t be seen until Christmas day.
Area of waste: Children’s Gifts
Problem: Commercial toys break before they’re out of the package and are next-to-
useless when functioning. Many require energy to run, either from a wall outlet or
package after expensive package of batteries. Most kids already have a room full of
toys and don’t need or even appreciate more.
Solution: Instead of another piece of plastic in yet more wasteful packaging, consider
giving one or two thoughtful gifts made to last. Dress-up clothes, cloth dolls, metal
trucks, and anything made of wood will still be around when you’re bouncing your
grandchildren on your knee. Blocks and art supplies provide your child with the
priceless gift of imaginative play, and age appropriate books never go out of style. In
our home, “Santa Claus” brings that one commercial, over-marketed toy they’ve been
begging for—all other gifts are educational or otherwise useful.
Area of waste: Adult Gifts
Problem: I need the that noxious hot pink candle, the Nickelback CD, the coffee table
book showing in detail the mating habits of the South American tarantula. Really.
Okay, I’m lying. The average American receives (and gives) more meaningless gifts
every year than personal, well-thought-out ones. If it’s truly the thought that counts,
what does that jar of bath salts say about you?
Solution: If you must give a gift to person who has no obvious need, how about
making a donation to a charity that is close to their heart (or yours)? This year my
favorite is The Heifer Project. If they aren’t the charitable sort, how about a gift card to
a company that specializes in fair-trade, sustainable goods? The recipient just may
find themselves hooked once they see how affordable they are! For all of your own
unwanted treasures, remember that regifting is just a variation of recycling. If you
have no possible use for the item, donate it to a charitable organization with resale
shops.
Area of waste: Decorations
Problem: Too much money, too much electricity, and too much time go into
decorating every spare inch of space. Enough is enough!
Solution: Say no to anything that blinks or plugs into the wall. Buy a live tree if you
don’t already have a fake one. Don’t buy any decorations—not any! Because you
already have plenty! If you must add a few new items, stick to traditional homemade
decorations constructed from natural materials, like popcorn strings and evergreen
wreathes.
How are you simplifying your winter holidays? Email me at
shastamarshalls@sbcglobal.net to share!
excessive wear-and-tear on the planet. Here are a few easy ways to greenify your
holiday season—and most of them will save you money as well!
Area of waste: Food
Problem: Packaged foods require energy to (over)process and even more energy to
transport them the several thousand miles from their home planet. They are usually
nonorganic and unhealthy. After all that carbon involved in bringing them to your
buffet table, they are often overlooked and thrown away in the rush from event to
event.
Solution: Cut back on meats and prepared foods in favor of simple vegetarian hors d’
oevres. Consider: hummus with crudite and whole wheat breadsticks for dipping,
fruit and cheese trays, pita chips with yogurt and herb dips. If you have leftovers,
incorporate them into meals the next day. And don’t forget the importance of organic
and locally-grown goods!
Area of waste: Transportation
Problem: Families are flung to every corner of the world, and neighbors don’t know
each other well-enough to share a cup of flour, much less a holiday. Parties and
events beckon; shopping must be done. Planes, Trains, and Automobiles becomes
not just a good movie, but a set of second domiciles as we rush to squeeze in every
drop of Christmas we can fit in our already-overflowing cups.
Solution: STOP. It is not unreasonable to allow just one or two holiday events per
week—you might actually have fun this year! If you must visit family in far away lands,
make sure your car is in good running order and only as overpacked as necessary.
Invite your neighbors over for a “getting to know you” cookie exchange that just may
become a holiday tradition.
Area of waste: Paper
Problem: Every trash can in the US is full of it for most of December and the better
half of January. It takes energy to make and energy to dispose of, not to mention
millions of TREES.
Solution: Choose cloth instead of paper—not just obvious things like napkins and
placemats, but also shopping bags, wrapping paper, crafts. Choose e-cards and e-
invites—even a quick phone call—wherever possible. Send loved ones a photo and
sign the back with sparkly gel markers instead of (not in addition to!) buying a card.
When you receive a large wrapped gift, unwrap it with care and save the paper to
wrap a smaller object next year. Avoid wrapping Santa Claus gifts, stocking stuffers,
and any gifts that won’t be seen until Christmas day.
Area of waste: Children’s Gifts
Problem: Commercial toys break before they’re out of the package and are next-to-
useless when functioning. Many require energy to run, either from a wall outlet or
package after expensive package of batteries. Most kids already have a room full of
toys and don’t need or even appreciate more.
Solution: Instead of another piece of plastic in yet more wasteful packaging, consider
giving one or two thoughtful gifts made to last. Dress-up clothes, cloth dolls, metal
trucks, and anything made of wood will still be around when you’re bouncing your
grandchildren on your knee. Blocks and art supplies provide your child with the
priceless gift of imaginative play, and age appropriate books never go out of style. In
our home, “Santa Claus” brings that one commercial, over-marketed toy they’ve been
begging for—all other gifts are educational or otherwise useful.
Area of waste: Adult Gifts
Problem: I need the that noxious hot pink candle, the Nickelback CD, the coffee table
book showing in detail the mating habits of the South American tarantula. Really.
Okay, I’m lying. The average American receives (and gives) more meaningless gifts
every year than personal, well-thought-out ones. If it’s truly the thought that counts,
what does that jar of bath salts say about you?
Solution: If you must give a gift to person who has no obvious need, how about
making a donation to a charity that is close to their heart (or yours)? This year my
favorite is The Heifer Project. If they aren’t the charitable sort, how about a gift card to
a company that specializes in fair-trade, sustainable goods? The recipient just may
find themselves hooked once they see how affordable they are! For all of your own
unwanted treasures, remember that regifting is just a variation of recycling. If you
have no possible use for the item, donate it to a charitable organization with resale
shops.
Area of waste: Decorations
Problem: Too much money, too much electricity, and too much time go into
decorating every spare inch of space. Enough is enough!
Solution: Say no to anything that blinks or plugs into the wall. Buy a live tree if you
don’t already have a fake one. Don’t buy any decorations—not any! Because you
already have plenty! If you must add a few new items, stick to traditional homemade
decorations constructed from natural materials, like popcorn strings and evergreen
wreathes.
How are you simplifying your winter holidays? Email me at
shastamarshalls@sbcglobal.net to share!
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