Green up your holidays

Here are tips to help you plan ahead to reduce your waste and green your gift giving this year.

Get creative with wrapping paper

Don’t buy new wrapping paper. Instead, reuse old wrapping paper or use reusable bags or boxes to wrap your gifts. Get creative and use scraps of fabric, old magazines, or calendars to put together a colorful collage to keep your gifts a secret until it’s time to open them.

Save the trees

Instead of sending the standard Christmas cards, try to find them in kenaf, hemp, or other tree-free resources. Or skip the mailing process all together and send e-cards to show off your family to the rest of your loved ones.

Cut the waste on your parties

Save the environment and yourself some money by hosting a zero waste holiday party. Use real cups, plates and utensils to cut back on waste and save your budget at the same time. Recycle everything that you can and use cloth napkins and tablecloths. It may be a little extra work for you, but will go a long way in preserving the earth.

Gifts from the heart

Don’t buy your loved ones commercial goods this year, but give them gifts from the heart instead. Give them the gift of your time and your love. Make them dinner, take care of their dog, and help with home or gardening projects. Material gifts can’t replace the time you will have together or the gift of your help.

Recycle, recycle, recycle

To cut down on the impact on the environment, recycle all cardboard packaging, peanuts or other Styrofoam packing that comes with gifts that won’t break down in a landfill but can be used again in the future.