Greening your Holidays
As we pursue a life of simplicity and the mission of caring for creation, here are some ways we can bring good cheer for the whole planet:
1. Consider LED Christmas lights that use 80% less energy than regular lights and last ten years or more.
2. Consider using reusable gift bags as opposed to single-use wrapping paper.
3. Personalize your cards by creating your own from recycled paper or from what you received last year. You can also use cards made from recycled paper or send e-cards.
4. Find a Christmas tree that can be planted afterward or be sure to recycle it.
5. Lighten your travels and offset your carbon footprint. If you must travel, neutralize your emissions by purchasing carbon offsets at carbonfund.org or terrapass.com.
6. Use sustainable cups and dinnerware. Not only is it a lot more classy, but hey, why be wasteful anyway?
7. Make recycling bins available at all of your parties. This not only saves you the work of sorting recyclables from the trash later, but it also helps guests realize a more sustainable method.
8. Use a reusable canvas bags when you shop. How many bags do you want in your house anyway?
9. Consider buying local and organic food this year. The Nature Conservancy claims that 96 billion pounds of food are discarded each year. Consider a theology of “enough” and not of “gluttony!”
10. Personalize your holiday decorations and create a family tradition. Try stringing cranberries and popcorn to decorate your tree, handrails, or fireplace mantel. You can also use the trimming from your tree to decorate your house. Try using corn, pine cones, leaves, and gourds for your Thanksgiving table display.
11. If you really want to be daring, try giving more “Personal time” gifts this year. Really, do you need some more sweaters that will sit under the bed until you finally give them away? Try giving coupons for camping trips, picnics, or give an MLI course as a gift for your deserving son or daughter.
Let this be a holiday of simplicity!