Katie Paulson, NCLCV Online Engagement Coordinator

Wrapping paper? Check.

Tree? Check.

Lights? Check.

Environmental impact study? Uhhhh…

Some of you may have already mastered the art of keeping your holiday celebrations as environmentally-friendly as possible. But, for the vast majority of those participating (this writer included) in the traditions of the season, it’s easy to struggle in making choices that will satisfy holiday whims but not sabotage the environment.

There are vast amounts of resources out there to provide guidance in your decision-making process, such as which is better: a real or fake Christmas tree? What is the impact of lighting candles in the home?

In order to ensure I practice what I preach, I combed through the interwebs and compiled nine simple ways to make your holiday celebrations good for you – and for the earth.

• Selecting sustainable flatware. Avoid the temptation of convenience at the holiday feast and pull out your real dishes for eating. The plastic, paper, or (gasp!) Styrofoam disposable plates and silverware contribute to the more than seven million additional pounds of waste Americans generate from Thanksgiving through New Year’s (ew!). If you absolutely must go disposable, ensure that it is compostable or made from recycled products.
• Recycle that wrap! Don don don. Wrapping paper: one of the biggest environmental foes of the holiday season. Fact: if every American family wrapped just 3 presents in re-used materials, we could save enough paper to cover 45,000 football fields. Touchdown!
• Give something from the heart…and home. Bring back the art of homemade gifts to the holiday season. Need ideas? Get crafty – knitted scarves and mittens. Get in the kitchen – homemade jams, jellies, cookies, soup mixes. Go old-school – print certificates for household chores, movie tickets, memberships. Make a donation to a cause close to someone’s heart. Sign-up for a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA).
• Make the switch to LED to light up your spirit. Compared to older models, LED light bulbs require just 1/50th of the electricity of conventional lights and last 20-30 years. Not only will that help your overall electric bill, but it also benefits Mother Earth.
• Say “no no” to junk mail. While it’s fun to see a full mailbox that’s not electronic in this day and age, it’s less exciting when all the contents are catalogs asking you to buy – BUY NOW! Get yourself off those lists by calling the 1-800 number on the publication. To find more ways to combat the battle against junk mail, visitwww.ecocycle.org/junkmail.
• If possible, keep it real. A real Christmas tree, that is. Several authors have taken on this debate (example 1and example 2) with both identifying – broadly – that real trees have less of a negative environmental impact than fake ones. To go above and beyond, seek out a potted Christmas tree that you can plant after the festivities end. If your tree has to hit the road following December 25, there are more than 4,000 Christmas tree recycling programs across the country. Sorry, plastic, non-compostable pre-lit trees.
• Recycle. It’s not just for that Christmas tree. Make recycling a key component of all your gift-giving and hosting actions. Put out a bin for cans and bottles at your soiree. Once you use those gift cards, RECYCLE them! Even better, see if the company offers electronic gift cards. If you can’t re-use any of those lovely Christmas cards, drop them in the recycle bin.
• Strategize shopping trips. Shopping trips can put a dent on the gas tank and on our air quality. Find alternatives: take public transportation or organize a holiday shopping carpool. Do more online shopping and ensure items are bundled to reduce overall impact.
• Did you leave your bags in the car?Staying on the shopping trip wavelength, bring those reusable bags with you. Keep some in your car so you’ll always be prepared. Of course, the trick is to remember to actually remove the bags from your car.

There you have it. Nine tips to make your seasonal celebrations a bit greener (and maybe even keep some green in your pocket).

Have others? Share below!