Keep Christmas Green
A Few days away from Christmas!
..and I am sure we are all experiencing Christmas consumer overload – from songs, to promos, sales and parties galore, Christmas certainly won’t let us forget that, yup, its Christmas!
While gifts and warm fuzzy feelings are expected each holiday season, a downside to this hectic month is the excess that comes along with celebrating Christ’s birth. The days after the 25th, and even the 31st, leave in their wake a generous amount of trash that we have to dispose of.
One of my personal decisions this year is to be more conscious of not just my spending habits, but also how I practice habits that are friendlier to the earth.
On that note, we at Edgy Ecology, Inc. decided to share some thoughts with everyone that will hopefully keep the Earth happy, and help ease the stress that comes with Christmas…
1. Last minute Christmas shopping can really rack up your costs. So it helps to have an idea about what you still need to buy. As much as possible, try to stay local, or at least within your city, to lessen gas consumption and Christmas traffic.
2. Avoid leaving the lights on when no one is home. Of course, typically a Filipino home is never empty, but it still makes good eco-sense (as well as financial sense!) to switch off our Christmas lights when not in use, most especially those strung around our Christmas trees. Not only will we keep our electricity costs at bay, but we avoid potential fire hazards as well.
3. Save those wrappers! While the kids may barely be able to contain their excitement while opening presents, those of us who are more “advanced” in age may be able to open those gifts with more diligence. I know many a person who saved a pretty penny by reusing their Christmas wrappers!
4. Buy in bulk. There’s something about buying in bulk that makes me assess how much I really need something. At the same time, certain products can be bought by the pound or gram. This lets you choose how much or how little of something it is you need. It saves you trips to the store, and lessens packaging and waste.
5. Consider digital. Instead of sending out invites to your gatherings, many sites now offer “e-vites” that allow your guests to tell you right away if they are coming or not. You actually save trees by doing this. Plus, it’s easy, it’s fast, and it’s clutter free!
6. Give an “experience present”. Why not buy your loved ones concert or movie tickets, lessons, or gift certificates? We all appreciate thoughtful presents that offer more than the usual. Leaving them with a great Christmas memory is sure to last them years of good vibes.
7. Food is gooooood. We all know the holidays also mean food, glorious food! Are you blessed with baking skills? Then consider sending out your very own version of Christmas cookies or other forms of pastries. You can use nice jars or reusable containers instead of the usual boxes, and these can be used again in a variety of ways that will outlast the Christmas season. You could give out hot chocolate mixes, little tea collections, or even a whole wheat pancake mix. Remember, go easy on the butter. Aside from being eco-friendly, we want everyone to be healthy..
Yummmmmm.
8. Bring a reusable shopping bag and avoid adding clutter to your home. Of course we’d love for you to use our bag, but really, we support any cause that will lessen the use of plastics in everyday consumerism. Aside from the Not Plastic bag, another alternative is the “I’m A Natural Shopper” bag from Aranaz. Save the earth in style!
9. Try to include organic ingredients in your Christmas meals. Not only is organic healthier, but its a good way to support farmers who practice earth friendly farming methods.
10. Spread the word! Encourage your friends and family to practice at least one of these tips. More importantly, tell your kids or your younger family members about everyone’s responsibility to the earth. You can never start them too early!
From our families to yours, Edgy Ecology, Inc. wishes you a warm, healthy, happy and beautiful Christmas!
