holidays

Aside from the religious significance of Easter, the holiday also presents an opportunity to celebrate the rebirth of the Earth. And while Easter just wouldn’t be Easter without the iconic emblems of the holiday including Easter baskets and egg hunts, following the 3 eco-friendly “R’s” can significantly make the holiday greener.

Reduce, Reuse, and Recyle those Pesky Plastic Easter Eggs

Reduce

• Skip the fake cellophane grass; once thrown away, it sits in landfills because it isn’t biodegradable. Plus, it can be dangerous if children or pets try to eat it. Use fresh hay or woodland moss or just skip basket filling altogether.
• Reduce packaging by filling baskets with homemade goodies and candies that are not individually wrapped.
• Use natural dyes instead of artificial ones made from processed ingredients (find out here or here).

Reuse

• Don’t purchase new baskets; repurpose old baskets, boxes, or buckets you already have around the house. Or if new baskets are a must, purchase pesticide-free, fair trade baskets.
• While you’re better off not using those bright-colored plastic eggs at all, the kids will inevitably pick some up at the neighborhood Easter egg hunt so find ways to reuse them instead of throwing them out (I loved the Geeky Housewife’s 50 uses for plastic Easter eggs).
• Use potted plants and flowers as Easter centerpieces that can be replanted in your yard after the holiday.

Recycle

• Recycle all plastic wrapping, paper, and plastic eggs (if permissible).
• Don’t throw away those hardboiled eggs after the Easter egg hunt but rather find recipes your family that utilizes the eggs. As for the eggshells, sprinkle them in your garden as fertilizer or use them to plant seedlings.

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, you’re probably in the midst of making all sorts of grand plans for your sweetheart. While you may think nothing says “I love you” like a dozen red roses or gourmet chocolate, green alternatives can convey the same sentiment to your Valentine and the environment.

A potted perennial is a gift that keeps on giving.

Flowers

Impact on the Environment: Conventionally grown blooms (often imported from Columbia, Ecuador, and other Latin American countries) are typically doused in harmful pesticides – some that have long been banned in the U.S. – and transported long distances before reaching their final destination. If that isn’t enough for them to lose their appeal, the International Labor Rights Fund estimates (and evidence indicates) that hundreds, if not thousands, of children are exploited on Latin American flower farms, forced to work up to 20-hour days for less than minimum wage.

Green Alternative: Be a green thumb enthusiast! Opt for an organic perennial plant that can be replanted indoors or out and enjoyed year after year; since certified organic growers must adhere to strict U.S. regulations that limit their use of pesticides, it’s better for the environment and will last far longer than a fresh-cut bouquet.

Valentine's Day chocolate: think homemade, organic, or fair trade!

Chocolate

Impact on the Environment: Conventional chocolate is often plagued by the same environmental conundrums flowers are; the sweet’s primary ingredient, cocoa, is farmed in Latin and South America, making it extremely energy-intensive by the time it actually reaches you. In addition, many cocoa farms are also rumored to use child labor.

Green Alternative: Be a gourmet candy maker! Like many food items, homemade chocolate truffles taste far more delicious than commercially produced ones and you can find a myriad of scrumptious recipes online. Or, purchase handmade organic and fair trade chocolates (as this post suggests).

Jewelry

Put some thought into finding the perfect eco-friendly piece.

Impact on the Environment: Diamonds may be a girl’s best friend but they certainly aren’t to the environment. Not only are many of the diamonds sold in the U.S. considered conflict diamonds, certain types of diamond mining are extremely damaging to the environment. Much of the diamond mining done in Africa is not strictly regulated and remediation is scarce. Many of the mines use the cheapest and quickest methods possible, often causing environment devastation throughout the process.

Green Alternative: Be a craftsman! Why not make your own jewelry? Visit a local bead or craft store and you’ll find everything you need to make your sweetheart a one-of-a-kind piece. Too complex for your skill set? Track down original handmade pieces that use natural stones, conflict-free gems, and recycled metal, such as the stunning Kirsten Muenster collection or chic Kyler Designs.

Ready to live greener come 2010? There’s no better time to start than your annual New Year’s Eve Bash. Not only will these easy and effective tips help the environment, they can even save you some money. What eco-conscious consumer doesn’t like the sound of that?

Borrow from Friends and Neighbors – What better way to reduce your carbon footprint by borrowing instead of purchasing brand new? Reusing is after all one of the green movement’s primary mantras. In addition, borrowing everything from music CD’s to wine glasses can keep your party budget in check. However, be prepared to invite all those you borrow from!

Opt for Eco-Disposable – If you must go disposable, purchase biodegradable or eco-disposable options that aren’t harmful to the environment. You can find a wide range of eco-disposable tableware at BiodegradableStore.com or GreenPartyGoods.com.

Send E-Vites – Forget snail mail! The latest trend in party invitations is one that is both good for the environment and your wallet. E-vites are essentially online invitations that can be sent via email. We love the clever, catchy cards you can create and send for free at SomeEcards.com and MyPunchBowl.com.

Eco-Friendly Spirits – What New Year’s party is complete without a little bubbly? For champagne and spirits that taste as good as they are for the environment, choose organic alcohol. In order to qualify as an organic alcohol (according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture), the alcohol must be made from ingredients grown on certified organic farms and processed in a distillery certified organic. The Organic Wine Company or Fleury Wine are great organic and reasonably-priced options.

Green and Cheap Décor – Use scented soy candles, silver and gold ornaments, and recycled wine bottles to set the stage for a festive, glossy New Year’s party. DIY confetti can easily be made from scrap paper, newspapers, or used holiday wrap.

Green Hangover Kits – Looking for a green party favor to send off with guests as they leave? A “green” hangover kit is an eco-friendly option that gives guests the right kind of hydration they’ll need in the morning! Give each guest a reusable water bottle filled with tap water, some ibuprofen, and a packet of Emergen-C (available at most drugstores). They’ll be grateful in the morning!

With the economy still in the dumps and budgets tight, this holiday season is the perfect time to give creative, homemade gifts that mean more and cost less. Not the creative type? We’ve got easy ideas for everyone on your list that won’t cost you a dime.

For the Kids:

Have an aspiring artist? Make recycled crayons into their favorite shapes.

Recycled Crayons – Instead of throwing out all those old, stubby, broken crayons, why not melt and mold them into cool shapes for the little artists in your family? Simply melt them in the oven using a muffin tin or metal cookie cutters. Learn how to make recycled crayons here.

Paint Soap – Homemade organic paint soap is a great gift for kids; it makes bath time more enjoyable and can easily be made from items you probably already have in the house. Made entirely from organic ingredients, the colorful soap won’t hurt your kids or your tub. Check out Tree Hugging Family’s Organic Paint Soap recipe.

Cookies in a Jar – Cookies are just about kid’s favorite treat so give a fresh-from-the-oven gift that will keep on giving. Use old mason jars (or whatever jars you can find around the house), layer each dry ingredient of your favorite cookie recipe separately so each layer is distinct, and attach the recipe using a ribbon. Cookies in a Jar is a great way to get the kids involved in holiday baking. Give each child their favorite kind of cookie!

For Mom:

Gifts of Service – What busy mom wouldn’t like a little help? From making dinner to babysitting, housecleaning to running errands, offer your time or a skill that can lighten her heavy load. Get creative make “service coupons” that she can redeem whenever she wants.

An Apron – These kitchen cover-ups are hot this holiday season and perfect for the mom who loves to cook.  If you’re sewing-inept, you can purchase plain cotton twill aprons for as low as $6.00 a piece. Dress it up for mom using fabric strips, fabric paint, buttons, decals, and whatever else you can find around the house.

Fill handmade bath bags with mom's favorite toiletries.

Bath Bags – Scrap fabric can easily be made into a small bag or pouch using a sewing machine or glue gun (find instructions here). Fill the bag with mom’s favorite bath beads, lotions, or soaps and tie it with matching ribbon or lace.

For Dad:

Fridge Magnets – Print smaller copies of your favorite photos of your dad and glue them to thick cardstock. Laminate the cardstock (which can be done cheaply at a local print shop), cut out the pictures, and attach them to small magnets.

Books on Tape – If your dad loves to read, select a few of his favorites or the latest bestseller to put on tape! Using a small microphone and basic software available on most computers, you can create a MP3 recording of your readings that can easily be transferred to a CD or MP3 player.  This way, dad can listen to his favorite books when on the go.

Assemble all the art supplies you have and the kids' favorite photos of dad to create a personalized photo album.

Personalized Photo Album – If you’re looking for something handmade the kids can give dad, try personalized photo albums or scrap books. Have the kids select their favorite photos of dad and create “pages” for each photo. Collect recycled construction paper, stickers, stamps, and markers the kids can use to decorate and have them write captions or notes for each picture. For just a few dollars, you can have the albums laminated and bound at a local print shop to preserve them for years to come.

The holiday season truly does bring out the best in people…and the waste. With millions of blinking lights, chopped-down trees, and tons of packaging waste, the holidays have become an environmentalist’s worst nightmare. But take heart! We’ve got ten super easy ways to make your festive decorations even greener (pun intended).

The Christmas Tree

Whether you opt for a live, fragrant tree or an artificial one is more your style, here’s how to make this quintessential holiday decoration more eco-friendly:

Artificial or Real, Make your Tree Greener!

• For some, Christmas just isn’t the same without a real, majestic pine in their home. These days, nearly all trees sold seasonally are grown on Christmas tree farms, so you aren’t damaging forests by choosing a cut tree. Purchase your tree from a small-scale, sustainable, and if possible, local grower.
• Consider replanting. Choose a smaller tree, wrap the roots in burlap, and replant it once the holiday is over.
• If replanting isn’t an option, recycle your Christmas tree. Each year, nearly 98 percent of all trees end up in landfills. Most cities offer free recycling programs after the holidays that can turn old trees into mulch and wood chips. Visit Earth 911 to find a program in near you.
• There’s a lot of controversy on whether or not artificial trees are worse for the environment. While they do consume significant energy and petroleum-based materials when manufactured, they can last for years and thus save gas and reduce the amount of carbon emissions emitted to get a new tree each year. Look for artificial trees that use a significantly less amount of PVC.

Christmas Lights

The use of Christmas lights can often increase a home’s energy bill by more than $100. Here’s how to cut the bill and your energy waste:

• Use lights with light-emitting diodes, or more commonly known as LEDs. They release less heat and are 90 percent more efficient than traditional Christmas lights, lasting a staggering 200,000 hours.
• To ward off energy waste, calculate just how much energy your Christmas lights and decorations will zap using the Christmas Lighting Energy Calculator.

Gift Wrapping

StopGlobalWarming.org estimates that nearly 4 million tons of gift wrap and other packaging is thrown out during the course of the holiday season. Mind-blowing, isn’t it? Here are a few gorgeous, eco-friendly ways to adorn your gifts:

Reusable Silk Gift Wrap

• Within the last week, MEH has posted a myriad of ingenious, green ways to wrap all your gifts, from recycled wrapping paper to reusable bags. Here’s one more to consider: reusable silk wrapping. Available in a wide array of colors and patterns, this wrapping is as green as it is gorgeous.

Tree Ornaments, Baubles, and Trinkets

Think DIY when it comes to eco-friendly tree decorating that the whole family can enjoy.

• Use old ribbons, material, or fabric to create bows for your tree.
• Paint pinecones and branches found in your very own backyard and use real holly.
• Get creative! Candy canes, gingerbread men, pipe cleaners, popcorn strings, and reusable paper chains are just a few of the endless possibilities for DIY tree decorating.

October 31 will be upon us in just a few short weeks and children across the country are gearing up for one of their favorite holidays (second only to birthdays).  In the midst of decorating your home and finding the perfect costumes, take a moment to ponder how what you’re doing is impacting the environment.  And while you’re at it, try implementing the tips below to help you have a green and festive Halloween.

Fair Trade Gold Coins

Candy – For the little trick-or-treaters who come knocking on your door, pass out eco-friendly that’s healthier than its conventional counterparts.  For example, Endangered Species Chocolate offers all-natural Halloween treats and donates 10% of their net profits to help support endangered species and habitats.  You’ll also find a great selection of natural candy at Natural Candy Store or you can get fair trade gold coins from the Global Exchange Fair Trade online store.

Costumes – Instead of purchasing a cheaply-made costume you’ll throw away after just one use, get creative and make a costume out of what you already have around the house – think cardboard, scrap fabric, towels, accessories and whatever else you can find.  Or try swamping costumes with friends and neighbors (remember FreeCycle?), so everyone gets a new costume without throwing anything away.

Decorations – Instead of using throwaway paper decorations, make and purchase décor that can be used for years to come.  Use rechargeable batteries for decorations that require batteries and try making your own!  Make sure you use non-toxic paints and fabric made from organic cotton.  If DIY isn’t your style, Etsy is a great place to find eco-friendly, handmade Halloween decorations.

Reusable Halloween Decorations

Pumpkins – No Halloween is complete without (organic) pumpkins!  But instead of letting them rot on your doorstep, put every part to good use.  The seeds are delicious when roasted and you can even make homemade pumpkin pie or pumpkin soup (pie pumpkins work the best).  Cut up the remaining pieces to use in your compost bin.

Trick-Or-Treating – Don’t drive the kids around and wait in the car every time they ring a doorbell; you’ll only waste gas and further contribute to carbon emissions.  Instead, walk door-to-door in a dense neighborhood.

With the Holidays coming up, there are a million ways that we can go green. One of best ways we can do so without impacting the environment is to consider how we use, (or not use) paper.

I have recently stumbled upon this great website, Babymomento, (based out of Los Angeles, CA and Tokyo, Japan), that custom makes birth announcements and holiday cards, all via the Internet.

Here’s how it works: Choose your design, email your photos to Babymomento, and your announcements will be ready to go!

Now you have the option to save tons of paper with the just one ecard! Everyone in your family can announce the “new addition”, or send holiday cards to family and friends. A “one for all” approach thanks to Babymomento!

No paper is used so it really is environmental-friendly and each e-card is one of a kind. I think it’ a great idea. If people want to print them out, it’s their choice. Think of the great eco-friendly greenness you can create. You gotta love it!