Smart Green Holiday: Tips, Ideas, and Resources

by Erin posted to Home | 3,703 views

Give a little something to Mother Earth this holiday season. Even the "little things" can go a long way as far as being green. You don't need to do it all. Just make a little dent in having a little less waste, a little smarter lighting and a little greener gift. Here are some ideas.

Eco-Alternative Christmas Trees by Festivetree.com

Artisan built wooden Christmas trees that are beautiful, simple and enduring. Can be used year after year.

festivetree.com  |  Saved from festivetree

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Sustainable, eco-alternative Christmas trees that are a great option for holiday and seasonal celebrations.

Eco-Friendly Christmas Tree Options | Apartment Therapy Re-Nest

Q: Are there any good eco-friendly options for a Christmas tree? We are opposed to using a real, chopped-down tree (or a potted one because we live in an apt) or a conventional fake tree because they're made of plastics and other petroleum-based...

re-nest.com  |  Saved from Jackie

This is a question on Re-Nest and there are some great eco-friendly responses for those that want an eco-friendly Christmas "tree".

A Gift I would LOVE to Get: Kendra Scott Tigers Eye Tassle Necklace

Such a unique statement necklace. It comes in several colors, but the tigers eye is my fave!

Eco-Friendly Christmas Tree Options | Apartment Therapy Re-Nest

Q: Are there any good eco-friendly options for a Christmas tree? We are opposed to using a real, chopped-down tree (or a potted one because we live in an apt) or a conventional fake tree because they're made of plastics and other petroleum-based...

re-nest.com  |  Saved from Jackie

This is a question on Re-Nest and there are some great eco-friendly responses for those that want an eco-friendly Christmas "tree".

Gift Idea: Crunch a Color

For less than the cost of a pizza, you can completely change the dynamic at your dinner table! Created by a mom, Crunch a Color™ is an engaging game that gives kids points for eating a balanced and colorful plate of veggies, fruits, proteins and...

crunchacolor.com  |  Saved from Jenese

Green from the inside out -- makes it fun to eat your greens and made with recycled paper and non-toxic inks.

Healthy Hip Mom | Stylish Green Gifting

Raw Materials Designs Giftbag filled with your homemade goodness. What's not to love?

A homemade gift is heartfelt, and you can add a little chic with "wrap" that doubles as a gift.

Wrapsacks: Planet-friendly reusable Gift Wrap

Not only does the planet-friendly fabric bag store much easier than a bulky box, but it also allows me to track the bag’s journey around the world as it keeps on giving and giving. How cool!

wrapsacks.com  |  Saved from Larissa

These reusable fabric bags come in different sizes and designs, and are pretty affordable - they're about the same price as throwaway gift bags.

Green Holiday Tips from Sierra Club

Green holiday tips and gift ideas from Sierra Club for Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Christmas and much more.

sierraclub.org  |  Saved from Eden Godsoe

There are some great (and practical) green holiday tips on this list from Sierra Club including feasting on organic & locally grown food, making your own wrapping paper & recycling your Christmas tree.

Outdoor Plug-In Timers

Use an outdoor light timer to make sure the lights only go on when you want them on. Helps make sure you hard work is on when it gets dark, and automatically turned off at bedtime!

Real vs. Artificial Christmas Trees - Earth911.com

Guide to local resources including recycling centers, how to recycle, pollution prevention and how help protect the environment.

I always thought that an artificial tree would be better for the environment. This may not be the case. Check out this post for a great read on the pros and cons of Real vs. Artificial trees.

Energy-saving Christmas lights - Sunset.com

Eco-friendly, low-energy ideas for holiday lights, from solar string lights to LED tea lights and rechargable votives.

Hours of sparkle for a fraction of the energy. Check out these great ideas for low energy holidays lights. Info on where to purchase, etc.

Green Gift Wrapping

Question: Have you used any of these green ideas for holiday gift wrapping?

Check here to see who has tried these great ideas.

Decor: A Dozen DIY Wreaths

am loving all of the ideas circling 'round the internet having to do with do-it-yourself wreaths. here are twelve of my favorites (click image for larger view) to inspire you over the long thanksgiving weekend. black friday may as well be known as cr...

Suggested by Larissa:

These wreaths are surprisingly cute and "easy" to make (if I were crafty and owned a glue gun), most homemade wreaths I've seen are pretty cheesy and bedazzled.

Decorations: Recycled Newspaper Ornaments

This paper star ornament is made from recycled, color newspaper funnies pages and is part of my Sunday Comics Series of Star Urchin decorations. It

etsy.com

1 Like 1 Comment 1 Save

Suggested by Eden Godsoe:

I LOVE this. They come in different sizes for different purposes. Beautiful on a Christmas tree, hung somewhere, on a table, in a bowl. Eco-friendly or not, this makes a great gift to yourself or someone else.

Penelope Poet: These are so festive and beautiful!

Rancho Siempre Verde Christmas Tree Farm

Suggested by Darya Mead:

We LOVE this spot --it's family run and we make an annual pilgrimage. It's between Half Moon Bay and Santa Cruz, CA on the coast

Hanging Terrarium with Tillandsia Planting Kit featured in Dwell

Poinsettias are too on-point for a holiday shindig. These ornamental air plants will last forever with a bit of misting.

Suggested by Penelope Poet:

Creative terrarium globes have a unique, tiny world appeal that can spark the imagination of all ages.

Fun Facts About Christmas Trees and Evergreens | Akin To Green

Christmas trees are evergreens, which mean they retain their foliage or needles year round. They are grown in all 50 states and have been sold commercially in the United States since 1850.

Suggested by Eden Godsoe:

Interesting post that outlines why a real Xmas tree is not necessarily worse. For example, buying real trees encourages more planting of trees. Also real trees are 100% biodegrada­ble; artificial ones are not.

comments (7)

Erin asks: Any ideas for a greener holiday?

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Doug Hopeman added:

 We are worthy because we sell Christmas trees that will last forever. Recyclers have also perfected the ability to start recycling pvc and within 10 years these products we be heading to the recycling bin to be re-purposed as you desire.

Silk Artificial Trees – Palm, Christmas, etc.

artificialplantsandtrees.com

Artificial palm trees, Christmas trees, bonsai trees, etc. Silk artificial plants and trees – indoor and outdoor. Tree and plant catalog, free interior design consultation and worldwide delivery.

Like

Doug Hopeman added:

 We are worthy because we sell Christmas trees that will last forever. Recyclers have also perfected the ability to start recycling pvc and within 10 years these products we be heading to the recycling bin to be re-purposed as you desire.

Silk Artificial Trees – Palm, Christmas, etc.

artificialplantsandtrees.com

Artificial palm trees, Christmas trees, bonsai trees, etc. Silk artificial plants and trees – indoor and outdoor. Tree and plant catalog, free interior design consultation and worldwide delivery.

Like

Eden Godsoe added:

 Interesting post that outlines why a real Xmas tree is not necessarily worse. For example, buying real trees encourages more planting of trees. Also real trees are 100% biodegrada­ble; artificial ones are not.

Fun Facts About Christmas Trees and Evergreens | Akin To Green

akintogreen.com

Christmas trees are evergreens, which mean they retain their foliage or needles year round. They are grown in all 50 states and have been sold commercially in the United States since 1850.

Like Erin promoted this suggestion

Darya Mead added:

 We LOVE this spot --it's family run and we make an annual pilgrimage. It's between Half Moon Bay and Santa Cruz, CA on the coast

Rancho Siempre Verde Christmas Tree Farm

triporati.com

Like Erin promoted this suggestion

Penelope Poet added:

 Creative terrarium globes have a unique, tiny world appeal that can spark the imagination of all ages.

Hanging Terrarium with Tillandsia Planting Kit featured in Dwell

dwell.com

Poinsettias are too on-point for a holiday shindig. These ornamental air plants will last forever with a bit of misting.

Like Erin promoted this suggestion

Larissa added:

 These wreaths are surprisingly cute and "easy" to make (if I were crafty and owned a glue gun), most homemade wreaths I've seen are pretty cheesy and bedazzled.

Decor: A Dozen DIY Wreaths

martawrites.com

am loving all of the ideas circling 'round the internet having to do with do-it-yourself wreaths. here are twelve of my favorites (click image for larger view) to inspire you over the long thanksgiving weekend. black friday may as well be known as cr...

Like Erin promoted this suggestion

Eden Godsoe added:

 I LOVE this. They come in different sizes for different purposes. Beautiful on a Christmas tree, hung somewhere, on a table, in a bowl. Eco-friendly or not, this makes a great gift to yourself or someone else.

Decorations: Recycled Newspaper Ornaments

etsy.com

This paper star ornament is made from recycled, color newspaper funnies pages and is part of my Sunday Comics Series of Star Urchin decorations. It

Like (1) Erin promoted this suggestion