I’m dreaming of a green Christmas!

I’m always dreaming of a white Christmas, but what about a green Christmas? Here are a few ideas for making your Christmas celebrations a little more eco-friendly!

• The wrapping! Making Christmas gifts festive and fun to unwrap is part of the fun of giving the gifts. But then again, we know that wrapping paper accounts for millions of tons of trash every Christmas. None of us wants to be a Grinch, so how can we green up the wrappings?

  

  Try a reusable gift bag instead of wrapping paper

• Why not try recycled paper? And follow your mom and grandma’s lead – reuse that wrapping paper!
• Use tissue paper; (I use the tissue paper that’s stuck into dry cleaned clothes), fabric, or even the comics.
• Reuse gift bags; (I have some bags that have been through at least 5 seasons). 
• The tree! OK, it’s the age-old debate – should we use a fresh tree? Artificial? Tree in a pot to be planted later? A few thoughts and then make your own decision: 
  
• Artificial trees –most are made of non-recyclable, non-biodegradable metal and PVC. When thrown away, they sit in the landfill for many generations to come. Since my family keeps their artificial trees for decades (my mother has had her artificial tree for nearly 50 years), I’m not losing sleep over this. A more troublesome issue with artificial trees is most are produced overseas and shipped to the U.S.; think fossil fuels and pollution in production and shipping. 
• Real trees – Most experts agree that this is the more eco-friendly option. Over 30 million Christmas trees are sold in the U.S. each year, and 93% of those trees are recycled into mulch (Earth911). Additionally, Earth911 reports that a single farmed tree absorbs more than 1 ton of CO2 in its lifetime! The cons? Since Christmas trees are an agricultural product, we can expect application of pesticides, fertilizers, and herbicides, unless they’re grown organically. Additionally, if you don’t live in an area where conifers grow naturally, add the costs of tree transport into your eco-footprint calculation. If you do get a real tree, be sure to say NO to the plastic mesh wrapping!
• Real LIVE trees – the most eco-friendly option. Buy a live, potted tree, which you can keep in your house for about 1- 1 ½ weeks and then plant outdoors after the holidays.
• The cards! I come from a proud line of Christmas card senders and Christmas letter writers. So how can we green up this annual tradition?
• Send cards and letters online. Friend and family can read about your adventures in the past year, and then save, print, or delete!
• Try one of the eco-friendly card companies, using soy inks and recycled paper. One of my favorites is Minted! 

  

  If physical cards are a must, try eco-friendly version!

• Buy and send cards that support a green organization, such as the cards made by the National Wildlife Federation or World Wildlife Fund.
• The gifts! There are actually fun green gifts that don’t lead to a forced smile and insincere “thank you!” Check these out:
• For the animal lovers in your family! Through many organizations, you can symbolically “adopt” an animal, and receive a plush toy, certificate of adoption, and a poster or photograph. Young children get a toy; wildlife organizations get badly needed financial support. Some of the programs I’ve enjoyed in the past are sponsored by the National Zoo, the National Wildlife Fund, Adopt a Lemur from Duke University’s Lemur Center, Sea Turtle Conservancy’s adoption program, and World Wildlife Fund.
• Do you have a bike? By giving bikes to not just the kids, but also the adults in the family, you’ll be encouraging the option of green transportation for local trips (plus you might lose a few of those Christmas cookie pounds!) 

  

  A bike makes an amazing gift!

• How about a new set of non-Teflon coated cookware? Have you wanted to upgrade your cooking utensils and get away from plastic that can release toxins when heated? Trade up for pots and pans that AREN’T coated in Teflon, reduce your family’s exposure to many harmful chemicals.
• Got an avid gardener in the family? Christmas is the perfect time to set someone up for a successful butterfly or vegetable garden in 2016 – garden tools, seeds, composting equipment, even rain barrels are gifts that your family can enjoy throughout the year. Birdfeeders and bird baths are a nice addition to any garden. If you really want to go all out, how about beekeeping equipment?
• Lifelong learning! Gifts certificates for classes are a waste-free gift that can be enjoyed throughout the year. Be it cooking, archery, knitting, photography, or sailing classes – you know they’ll love it!
• How about a gift that lets the receiver enjoy the great outdoors? Camping equipment was my birthday gift last year! Not into camping? Think “roughing it” is a black and white TV? Then how about binoculars or a field guide for an aspiring bird or butterfly watcher, or a camera for the budding nature photographer?
• Got someone in the family that enjoys camping or vacations in cabins? Virginia State Parks offer gift certificates that can be used for camping, cabins, parking, and picnic shelter rentals. Outside of VA? You can always give an annual pass for national parks and federal recreational lands. 
• How about non-toxic soaps and shampoos from eco-friendly companies? Many manufacturers now make these products, but some of my favorites are The Body Shop, Aveda, and the Parsonage.

We hope this list gives you a little food for thought as you head into Christian and other faith-based gift-giving and celebrative seasons. Here’s wishing you a blessed and GREEN Christmas!

Desiree Di Mauro, PhD
Blog: www.greenmomster.org
Chair, Creation Care Committee
Emanuel Lutheran Church, Vienna, VA