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It's easy to get "wrapped up" in our traditional ways of decking the halls. But some decorating traditions, however sentimental, may not be so environmental.
Obviously it's eco-smart to reuse any decorations that've survived their latest hibernation in the basement. Yet inevitably your "halls" end up looking a little bare — or your husband brings home a hulking tree that looks naked even after ALL your ornaments are hung. Then you find yourself writing "more tree ornaments" and "new wreath" and "garland for stairs" on your holiday shopping list.
This year as you're making a list, be sure you're also checking it twice for any opportunity to green your holiday decorating.
Interior designer Cheryl Terrace says you’re in good company if you’re opting out of a new petroleum-based fake Christmas tree, mass-produced or plastic ornaments, or energy-draining string of standard holiday lights.
“There’s a huge movement toward respecting the planet during the holidays,” says Terrace, founder of eco-friendly design firm Vital Design. “The focus is shifting from mass consumerism to creating a holiday that’s about gratitude, especially for the environment.”
That think-green buzz is making it easier than ever to find affordable eco-friendly and socially responsible holiday decorations. Here are a few tips to help you look at holiday decorating in a new green light this holiday.
1. Gotta get a tree? Keep it green …
Love that fresh pine scent making your house feel all wintry? Go ahead — a live tree is actually a relatively eco-friendly choice, so long as you’re conscious about where it goes once the holidays are over.
According to the National Christmas Tree Association, nearly all cut holiday trees are grown on tree farms — meaning their stock is replenished yearly and forests aren’t hurt by choosing a cut tree. And spent trees can be ground into woodchips and used to mulch your garden or prevent erosion at a local watershed. Check with your city government or go to earth911.org and enter your ZIP code to find out where to have your tree recycled.
Fake trees are a different story, requiring a significant amount of energy and petroleum-based materials to manufacture. Plus, artificial trees are often manufactured overseas and shipped thousands of miles before they reach our living rooms.
“Living trees are another option,” Terrace points out. “They can be kept in a pot during the holidays and planted in the garden afterward.” Local nurseries stock numerous varieties of evergreens. In the Northwest, the Original Living Christmas Tree Company rents live Christmas trees that are returned and replanted after the holidays.
As for those presents under whatever tree you choose, wrap them in recycled paper or other eco-friendly gift wrap alternatives.
2. String a smarter light string
Instead of buying more standard holiday lights to replace bad strings (or to try and keep outdoing your neighbor’s massive display), opt for energy-efficient light strings. When they’re made using light-emitting diode bulbs, or LEDs, they’re 90 percent more efficient than traditional holiday lights. LEDs also last longer — up to 10,000 hours compared with 5,000 hours for standard incandescent bulbs.
Look for LED holiday lights where regular lights are sold, or order from Gaiam.com or others including www.environmentallights.com. You can even get holiday-motif signs and decorations lighted with energy-saving LED bulbs.
Or save even more energy with solar-powered holiday lights, and set up a light display wherever you please without a tangle of extension cords all over your lawn. Gaiam.com offers strands of LED lights with solar panels — no outlet required. You can even get lighted wreaths powered by totally cute little solar panels. You’ll pay a little more up front for solar versions of holiday lights, but the savings on your power bill over the holiday season make up for that pretty quickly.
3. Practice the 3 Rs
You’ve heard it a million times, but Terrace says, “Those three little words ‘reduce, reuse, recycle’ can have a huge impact during the holidays.”
Choose eco-friendly and socially responsible holiday decorations like tree ornaments hand-made from natural materials. Many handmade decorations also come with little or no packaging, reducing that aforementioned holiday trash total.
Tired of that same old garland? Throw a holiday-décor-swapping party with neighbors, family and friends or check secondhand shops like Goodwill and the Salvation Army, where you’ll find aisles of gently used holiday décor. Buying secondhand saves cast-offs from the landfill, and you can use the savings to make a donation to a good cause.
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Dec 18, 2007 9:07:37 AM
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