Earth-Friendly Holidays
By Dawn Southgate
The holiday season is a great time for giving, receiving and for decorating the home in celebration of Christmas festivities. This year, we’re seeing a growing interior decorating trend that’s having a positive impact on the environment. Holiday decorating is going green. This trend not only lends itself to Christmas but to other significant holidays and celebrations such as Chanukah, New Year's, Kwanzaa, birthdays, weddings and baby showers.
The look and feel of “green” holiday decor is one of being in harmony with nature, infused with natural materials, organic shapes and fabrics. This translates to holiday wreaths and centerpieces made from local plants and vines—even from your own garden—fruits and berries, natural wick candles, wooden table decorations and organic, hemp or even handmade napkins and table cloths.
simplifying and greening your holiday decor means making conscious choices about the decorations you use— avoiding synthetic, plastic and other non-recyclable items and instead choosing natural, sustainable alternatives that are renewable and support the environment.
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A quick search on google will delight you with an amazing assortment of tree accessories that are not only eco-friendly, but also support Fair Trade and indigenous cultures around the world, such as tree angels made from recycled beverage cans from guatemala, recycled glass ornaments from ecuador and recycled oil drum angels from Haiti. You’ll also find nature’s very own crystal or agate tree decorations and recycled aluminum snowflakes.
While live Christmas trees seem to have the upper-eco hand over artificial, non-biodegradable and often toxic ones, they are often discarded after the holidays without thought when recycling for mulch is a much greener solution. Using a potted tree with roots can provide the lasting benefit of a tree that can be replanted and reused year after year.
For Chanukah, choosing sustainable wood dreidels, recycled glass Chanukah decorations, recycled steel pipe and glass menorahs, and natural beeswax candles make going green for effortless.
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sustainable decorating for the holidays or specials event just takes a little extra planning, some online shopping and perhaps a trip into nature. Don’t forget to add party supplies to your list such as eco-friendly tableware made from 100% recycled paper, recycled cards and wrapping paper and reusable fabric gift bags. Add sparkle to any party by using solar-powered fairy lights or led lights which use up to 80% less energy than regular lights and can last up to 10 years.
significant to every major event or milestone is the giving of gifts. One of my favorite eco-gifts is to make a donation that benefits and enhances the life of another. Whatever event or festivities you celebrate, make your decorative and gift giving efforts environmentally conscious ones that showcase creativity, ecology and style!
