Believe it or not, there are tons of ways to be Green for the holidays. You may even be taking Green initiatives without recognizing it.

Decor - Use natural elements such as flowers, fruit, pine boughs, laurel, etc. Not only will you appreciate their fragrances (vs. the toxic fumes off gassing from their plastic counterparts), but these organic materials will break down completely without harming the environment. When shopping for a tree, look for one with roots so that it can be planted in the spring.

Lights - If you plan on purchasing new strings this season, opt for LED’s. Light Emitting Diodes require minimum watts for operation and can last 100,000 hours. In other words, while these may cost a bit more than the typical string, you will save in utility costs to run them and won’t have to replace them so soon.

Gifts - This is a great time to encourage the Green movement among friends and family. Check out stores that offer green, organic products. If you are in the Concord area, Main Street alone has lots of opportunities to buy green. Here are some to name a few:

• Real Green Goods;
• Your Home, Your World;
• Earth Made;
• KAZA; and
• Concord COOP.

Gift Wrapping - Depending on how crafty you are, give fabric a try. A dab of hot glue would be your best bet as an adhesive. If wrapping with paper is preferred, look for recycled or FSC certified products. The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is an international agency that promotes sustainably harvested wood, gathered from well-managed forests.

Gift Receiving - Your Great Aunt Bessie has the right idea by opening her gift with incredible care. Try salvaging wrapping paper this year; done right, you could save money and a tree for next season. Gift bags, ribbon, and bows can also be reused. At the very least, PLEASE RECYCLE all that you can.

To be honest, the excitement of Christmas hasn’t been the same since I outgrew my one-piece “feetie” pajamas. If you are like me, one way to nourish holiday cheer is to decorate your home.

Families and traditions come in all shapes and sizes. Your style of choice may be the classic red, white, and green combo, or blue and white for Hanukah. If so, I am here to encourage you to step out of the box! The possibilities for decking the halls are endless, and it doesn’t have to cost a fortune.

As an alternative to the classic red, play things up with pink or orange. Purple, green, blue, turquoise, brown, silver, gold, etc. all have potential to create dazzling displays individually or in combinations. The inspiration behind a theme can come from anywhere: a hobby, rural/farming, urban/modern, retro, Adirondack, tropical, winter solstice… Your favorite holiday book or movie are other sources for decorating ideas. Silver bells can represent “The Polar Express” or a thin, somewhat pathetic secondary tree lends a nod to “Merry Christmas Charlie Brown”.

Have fun - it’s time to celebrate!

(Courtesy of Better Homes & Gardens)