Greening Your Holidays Without Breaking the Bank
We hear it all the time, “Celebrating green is expensive.” No, it’s not.
It’s true that organic foods, in general cost more than their counterparts and luxe green items are available, but so are many equally fabulous, less expensive (or even free), alternatives.
Here’s the thing. We encourage everyone to assess what they already own, or can borrow; frequent garage sales and thrift shops; re-purpose items; and do everything else they can think of to make use of what’s already be purchased. But the fact is, not many Americans are going to stop shopping altogether.
The trick is to buy judiciously. Select items that are made from sustainable materials like organic cotton, hemp, sugar cane etc. Aim to purchase only things that are made by people who are paid a decent wage and treated fairly. This often means looking for items made in the U.S.A. or labeled Fair Trade. Handmade objects from recycled materials, with as little packaging as possible and that travel as short a distance as possible to get to you, make great choices. A final aspect of green in our minds is a sense of community, so check whether a percentage of the proceeds of a particular item go to a non-profit you’d like to support.
Whether you’re looking for décor, gifts or food, there are so many wonderful items out there at reasonable prices, that celebrating green and saving green are not mutually exclusive.
Here is just a taste of our favorite decorative and gift items for this holiday season. All cost $25 or less (plus shipping) and we’ve seen and “tested” them ourselves, so we think you’ll like them.
What are the holidays without lights? This year, if you’re buying, go for LEDs. These multicolor indoor-outdoor lights from www.HolidayLEDS.com, offer all the color and brightness of your old-fashioned lights, but use approximately 90% less energy than standard incandescent string lights. They last longer and do not heat up the way incandescent do, therefore lessening the risk of fire. $16.99.
We don’t know about you, but it just doesn’t feel celebratory to us without candles. But ordinary candles are made from petroleum. The smoke can be harmful to your family’s health. Instead, opt for beeswax which are long lasting, clean burning and fill your home with the aroma of honey. Big Dipper Wax Works offers them in all sizes and configurations including these holiday pillars from $11.
Pick up one of these folding recycled chopsticks bowls and center it on your holiday table surrounded with other natural objects, for a Zenlike approach to decorating. These are not only clever and quite beautiful, they are useful and when not gracing your table, can be folded flat for storage. $18 from Estore.
Fair trade items are no longer difficult to find. These cotton napkins are made in a village women’s cooperative in Indonesia. Machine washable. Global Exchange includes a card with the napkins that shares the story behind what makes them special. $22.50 for four napkins.
Got more people than plates? Instead of paper, try bamboo. These plates are much sturdier than their paper counterparts, and will biodegrade within four to six months after disposal. Made from 100% organic bamboo, a renewable resource. 7” plates, pack of 8, $7. Other sizes available.
The best gifts in our minds are edibles. No waste and taste great too! These organic Christmas cookies are not only adorable, but melt in your mouth. Perfect for friends like us who are not chocoholics. $25 for 8 cookies. Beautiful Sweets uses gorgeous, eco-friendly recyclable gift packaging. From the post-consumer recycled boxes to the organic cotton ribbon, the entire package is completely earth friendly.
If your giftees are into chocolate, you can’t do better than a gift from www.Sjaaks.com Their organic chocolates literally melt in your mouth. This darling handmade box is filled with nine cute little dark chocolate peanut butter snowmen. $16.95
If your gift recipient can’t consume your gift, at least they can compost it or, as in the case of Botanical Paperwork’s gorgeous eco-calendar, they can plant it and end up with a lovely bouquet and reuse the 5×5” metal tin container to boot. And while you’re on the site check out all their other gorgeous offerings—cards, gift tags, and seeded papers.
Have a baby on your list? How can you do better than one of these darling caps made from recycled sweaters? Available from Thinking Mama on www.Etsy.com, where you’ll find thousands of items made by hand by creative types from around the world.
About the Authors
Lynn Colwell and Corey Colwell-Lipson are a mother-daughter team and co-authors of Celebrate Green! Creating Eco-Savvy Holidays, Celebrations and Traditions for the Whole Family available at www.CelebrateGreen.NET Corey also is the founder of www.GreenHalloween.org. You’ll find loads more ideas for celebrating green on their website and in their blog.
