As an alternative to gift wrap, LivingEthos offers festive, reusable bags for Hanukkah and Christmas.
If you’re anything like us, you probably feel a bit guilty looking at the giant pile of discarded gift wrap or worry about the eco-friendliness of a real tree vs. an artificial one. Here are a few ways we make the holidays a little greener.
A “Green” Tree
The earth friendliness of faux firs is always debated this time of year. Artificial trees obviously save their living counterparts from being cut, but in fact the real thing may be the greener choice. According to Earth911.com, the holiday tree industry not only employs more than 100,000 Americans, but the discarded trees can be “treecycled” into mulch used for playgrounds or used for shoreline restoration. And they decompose, unlike trees made of PVC and metal.
Or buy a potted tree to plant later. Your holiday memories will last longer and you won’t have cut down an oxygen-producing tree. (We can vouch for this firsthand; the towering evergreen in the yard of our childhood home started out in the living room in 1949.)
If you like to decorate your tree differently each year, recycle, donate or repurpose your ornaments.
Get the Green Lights
Buy LED decorative lights to save on electricity. They’re available almost everywhere from Amazon.com to Lowe’s. Also consider putting your lights on a timer, so they’re off at night or while you’re out.
Green Cards & Wraps
Opt for reusable gift bags. LivingEthos sells cute drawstring bags that look like mini Santa sacks. Designs include retro Santas, trees, bells, candy cane stripes, adorable reindeer and more, as well as elegant Hanukkah colors ($6-$28) — or opt for the 14-bag Festive Holiday Set ($99) or Hanukkah Holiday Set ($99).
Or cut your paper waste and use Sunday comics to wrap children’s presents. It’s colorful, funny, and a good way to reuse your paper.
Buy 100 percent recycled gift wrap. You don’t have to sacrifice cute prints to save the earth. Check out Green Field Paper Company for gift wrap and boxes ($7.95).
Wrap your presents in paper that keeps giving. Bloomin’ ($19.95) makes gift wrap that has flower seeds embedded in it. Just plant (when the weather permits), add water and see your gift wrap turn into beautiful flowers. Little Kay Gardens also offers flowering gift wrap ($12-$14) — and through the end of the year, $1 from every package of gift wrap goes to Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Also check out Green Field’s fun chia cards ($3.49-$110) and plantable gift tags ($7.95).
Send e-cards to save on postage and paper waste. Adding a little holiday cheer with animation or songs is a great way to tell people you’re thinking about them. Elf Yourself by OfficeMax is always fun, but 123greetings.com is also a good source for e-cards.
Green Sleeves (and other gifts)
We’ve already told you about two of our favorites eco-friendly shopping sites: Loving Eco, a great source for eco-friendly luxe fashion, and Green with Glamour, where you’ll find clothing, home decor and accessories. (Plus, GWG gives a portion of profits to environmental organizations worldwide.)
SHFT, a website about sustainable living from actor Adrien Grenier and film producer Peter Glatzer, also has an array of eco-friendly items that would make unique gifts, including a reclaimed wood toy glider ($29), a Voltaic generator solar laptop bag ($499) and SHFT’s own house wine ($24.99).
Do you have any tips for a greener holiday season?
