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Get Ready for the Greenest Holiday Ever!

November 29, 2009 in Holiday, Holiday Gift Guide by Jennifer | No comments

No matter what winter holidays you celebrate it’s easy to green them up. Before we kick off the 2009 winter holiday season this December I thought we’d look back at some of the best green home holiday tips from last year. Then stay tuned for brand new holiday tips over the next couple of weeks.

greenest holiday ever

GREEN HOLIDAY BASICS

TREATS & GIFTS!

SPICE UP YOUR HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

PLAN AHEAD

Also as you start thinking about the new year consider a Ban on Paper Calendars.

Greener and Less Expensive Christmas Gifts Under the Tree

November 28, 2009 in Holiday, Holiday Gift Guide by Jennifer | 1 comment

According to the Seattle Times, “A fifth of U.S. consumers plan to buy more environmentally safe gifts this holiday season.” That’s about as many green shoppers as last year, although Seattle locals were a little more green with about 24% of consumers noting that eco-friendly gifts are on their list this year AND astoundingly 55% of Seattle respondents say they’ll pay more for greener gifts.

Luckily, although most people think green gifts cost more, they don’t have to. You can find greener holiday gifts for about the same price, sometimes even less than conventional gifts. Since December is right around the corner, below are some green gift ideas to get you started. None will break the bank but all will please the eco-conscious folks on your list.

Are greener gifts on your list this holiday season?

Ten easy ways to green Christmas

November 19, 2009 in Holiday by Jennifer | No comments

Christmas is one of those holidays that’s actually pretty darn easy to green up. Simple choices can lead to a green Christmas and a more meaningful holiday celebration. Following are some ideas…

green your christmas

1. Green your Christmas tree: There are so many choices when it comes to the tree that it can seem hard not simple, but it all comes down to a few bits of info…

  • Reusable plastic tree = not so green.
  • Cut trees from a conventional farm = ok, but still not too green.
  • Cut tree from an organic farm = greener.
  • A living tree = green!
  • Alternatives like a wreath, small tree, plant, or other recyclable option = green.

To get an in-depth look read the most eco-friendly Christmas tree.

2. Green your lights: No matter where you like to place holiday lights, LEDS save you energy and look beautiful as well.

3. Green your wrap: Reuse last year’s Christmas wrap; use the comics; use a reusable container; use wrap made with recycled paper.

4. Green your greetings: Don’t send cards this year, call your loved ones instead or send an e-card. Make cards with recycled craft supplies. IF you really want to send a paper card, send one made of tree-free paper, plantable paper, or choose from the many recycled Christmas card options available.

5. Green your holiday baking: Use organic ingredients and eco-safe bake ware. No time to bake? Find the most Amazing Organic Holiday Cookies.

6. Green your shopping: Don’t shop like mad. Make a small list of meaningful gifts you’d like to get and stick to it. OR make crafty homemade holiday gifts. You can also give many gifts that actually give back.

7. Green the toys: If you’ve got kids, Christmas toys are likely on your list. Make sure you get safe, lead-free, non-toxic toys this year.

8. Green your Christmas stocking: This year use an eco-friendly Christmas stocking AND stuff it with safe fun green treats.

9. Green your holiday supplies: Plan on using goods for the holidays that are made with recycled materials or that can easily be recycled. You’d be surprised at how many options there are for a nice recyclable holiday season.

10. Green your Christmas mindset: The biggest challenge surrounding getting green for Christmas is simply wrapping your mind around a new way to celebrate. Read I’m Dreaming of a Green Christmas and/or Celebrate Green for ideas about how you can celebrate in a fun way while keeping it green and meaningful.

How are you greening your Christmas this year?

Eco-Friendly Christmas Stockings

November 11, 2009 in Holiday by Jennifer | 4 comments

It’s never too soon to start thinking about a green Christmas. Once fall hits Christmas can sneak up on you quickly and the more prepared you are the less stressful the holidays will be. Also, if you need special gear, like stockings, it’s good to have a chance to look around. It’s not easy to just walk into any store and find eco-friendly stocking options.

Following are some great choices for eco-friendly Christmas stockings:

Use what you’ve got: If you’ve been using the same old stockings for years, that’s actually a very nice tradition. You don’t need to buy new each year. I used the same stocking from the time I was born until my teens – my mom made it. Using family stockings is one of the best ways to keep it green.

Make your own: It’s easy to find a free stocking pattern online. Then simply use an eco-friendly fabric like organic cotton, felt, or bamboo to make it. See more cute DIY stocking ideas.

Buy one: If you’re buying an eco-friendly stocking it can pay to check out local crafty Fair Trade or eco shops. If you can’t find one locally there are some good options online.

eco-friendly holiday stockings

  1. ChunkiChilli Christmas stockings hand-knitted and hand embroidered in pure merino wool. MANY pretty styles to choose from.
  2. Adorable Recycled Sweater Personalized Christmas Stockings!
  3. Beautiful wool felt stockings hand made in Hungary by a womens’ cooperative that uses traditional appliqué techniques from Hable Construction – so many cool colors and designs to choose from too.
  4. Eco-friendly felt stockings from rikrak – lots of color and design choices.
  5. Amenity holiday stockings made with 55% hemp 45% certified organic cotton, and printed with non-toxic, water-based dyes.

Nine Last Minute Green Home Holiday Gifts Ideas

December 17, 2008 in Holiday, Holiday Gift Guide by Jennifer | No comments

Everyone loves flowers during the holidays. I really like the Kindness Blooms Holiday Bouquet – Red tulips and Stars of Bethlehem, in a frosted recycled glass vase. Certified as sustainably grown. Plus right now you can save 10% on holiday flowers from $19.99.
Read the rest of this entry »

Three Quick Green Holiday Packing and Wrapping Tips

December 16, 2008 in Holiday, Organic Gardening by Jennifer | No comments

  1. Save all your old newspapers, magazines, and tissue paper, and send them through the shredder to make instant thin packing strips. If you have colorful strips, say from magazines, you can use them in holiday gift bags or baskets even.
  2. Skip gift tags and try simply jotting down who a gift is for on the package itself. You can also write on the gift’s bow or ribbon. Or use old gift tags (save them each year).
  3. Make a gift super reusable by packing it in a nice reusable bag or lunch sack. It’s a two for one gift!

For more green gift wrapping tips visit: Eco-Wrap Your Holiday Gifts

Tons of Green Holiday Links – Crafts, Food, Gifts, & More!

December 3, 2008 in Holiday by Jennifer | No comments

I pulled together this post I’ve been sharing at my green-minded blogs. And I thought readers here might enjoy it as well. This post is chock full of green holiday goodness – plenty to get your holiday season off to an eco-friendly start:

Green Treats & Recipes

Remember, no matter the treat or recipe, you can always green it up by exchanging organic and natural ingredients for conventional.

50 Cute and Tasty Christmas Cookie Ideas

Cherry Dot Cookies

Organic Holiday Cookies!

Hey It’s Sugar Cookie Day – worth it for the pretty snowy cookie image alone.

Bacon Nut Stuffing – don’t forget, pork is a high pesticide food item, so buy organic if you make this dish.

Top 10 Turkey Tools

Pumpkin Cheesecake – one of my personal favorite treats.

What Else Is In Your Beer? AND Vegan Beer & Wine – I know beer and wine do not make a meal, but hey, they are treats, and if you have a drink, you may as well get the best.

Homemade Eco-Holiday Crafts

Read the rest of this entry »

Make A Holiday Ice Wreath

December 2, 2008 in Holiday by Jennifer | 1 comment

Here in Oregon, it’s never too snowy. At least not where I am in Oregon. However, if you live somewhere super chilly, this beautiful ice wreath above is the perfect alternative to store-bought holiday outdoor decor. It’s completely recyclable, made of all natural materials, and so lovely. It would look great hanging on a gate, and a smaller one could even hang on your door.

BEST OF ALL: You will not believe how easy this is to make. Plus it’s way fun for kids.

Learn how to make Festive Ice Wreaths

[Image and tips via Junk Creation]

Deck Your Tree With Shades of Green

November 30, 2008 in Holiday by Jennifer | No comments

The other day we looked at how to choose the most eco-friendly Christmas tree. Today we’re going to start looking at how to deck it out in style (and in green).

Start with LED lights: Read the rest of this entry »

The Greenest Christmas Tree

November 28, 2008 in Holiday by Jennifer | No comments

Now that Thanksgiving is officially over, you may be thinking about getting your Christmas tree. But which tree is the best green choice?

Your best bet – a living Christmas tree:

Living Christmas trees are great because you can celebrate with them, then plant them. Need help?

Go organic:

There are Organic Christmas tree farms now, and we all know that pesticide free is the best way to go, if you have the option.

Artificial Christmas trees vs. real Christmas trees…

When it comes to this battle, real trees almost always win. It seems fishy, I know, but cutting down a tree is more eco-friendly than an artificial tree. Why? Artificial trees are usually made from non-renewable plastics; some containing PVC. The toxins and other nasty chemicals used to create artificial trees make them a poor green decision. Also, real trees can be mulched and used in the garden or used for heat where as artificial trees cannot easily be recycled; in some cases, they can’t be recycled at all.

Have a tree-free holiday:

You can celebrate without a tree. There are plenty of ways to bring some pine fresh love into your home sans an entire tree. Consider wreaths made from gathered fallen forest branches, or a tabletop decor item made from swags of tree, pine cones, and berries. Your kids can even use recycled paper to create a fun pretend tree on the wall.

Coming up: I’ll be posting some eco-friendly Christmas tree decorating ideas – stay tuned!

Seven Tips for A Greener Holiday Season

November 20, 2008 in Holiday by Jennifer | No comments

Anyone can green up the holiday season. Try these easy seven tips out…

  1. Make homemade eco friendly gifts instead of buying new, overpriced, bad for the environment gifts.
  2. Use LED lighting for all your holiday needs. LED tree lights, LED house lights, and special LED accessory lights.
  3. Use recycled wrapping paper for gifts. You can even make your own with homemade paper, old newspaper, or last year’s wrap. After festivities recycle the wrap again.
  4. Make it an earth friendly year by buying fewer overall gifts. Make time for your family and friends vs. purchasing products for them. I suggest a nature walk. Think it’s too cold? Read, 25 Reasons To Get Outside During Winter for ideas.
  5. Have a tree-free year, or at least learn more about the best Eco-Friendly Christmas Tree options.
  6. Host an Eco-Friendly Winter Party — Save Heat and Save Money!
  7. Green your holiday baking – use organic ingredients and eco-safe bake ware. No time to bake? Find the most Amazing Organic Holiday Cookies.

To learn more about green holiday tips related to Christmas, check out this book review; Green Christmas.

[top image via Holiday LEDs]

Happy Green November!

November 2, 2008 in News by Jennifer | 1 comment

Well, it’s November folks – this year is flying by. I hope everyone had a happy Halloween. Now it’s time to start thinking about Thanksgiving, winter home prep, and winter holiday home decor.

Here’s what’s going to be happening in November at Best Green Home Tips:

The holiday gift guide: With the holidays coming up, it’s best to start thinking about which eco-friendly holiday gifts you’d like to buy (or make) for friends and family. Because this blog is about greening your home, all the gifts featured in the gift guide will be home-based, with maybe a few oddballs thrown in for fun.

Winter prep: If you haven’t started already, it really is time to outfit your home with options that will keep your family warm and save energy. We’ll be looking at more of those options during the month.

Green holiday prep: Thanksgiving and the winter holidays are almost here. I’ll have tips about greening them all, starting this month.

Green product reviews: I’ll be posting at least three green product reviews in November…

The usual: Of course I’ll be posting plenty of green home tips all month long. You might want to Subscribe to the Best Green Home Tips feed so you don’t miss a post (it’s free and will keep you up to date).

If there’s anything else you’d like to see posted here during November, let me know in the comments.