Hi everyone! Last year, I blogged about how to make your Christmas more green, and I think a lot of these ideas could come in handy this year too - so I'm reposting for you! Check it out:

Your Christmas Tree

First, check out my previous post about adopting a tree, and see if tree "rental" is available in your area. If you don't have an adopt-a-tree service in your area, it might seem like an artificial tree is the more eco way to go, since they are reused, but really, it's not. Surprising, right? People usually only use them 4 times or so and them toss them out where they will sit in a landfill forever. They also use lots of energy to produce, package, and ship them....not to mention that they are made with really gross toxic materials.

If you are going to get a cut-tree, search for an eco-friendly tree farmer near you. Check out LocalHarvest.org or GreenPromise.com. Your most green option is to find a sustainable grower from a certified organic farm. You will also be supporting your local farmers. If you go this route, be sure to recycle your tree after Christmas by chipping it into mulch or composting it. You can also visit Earth911.com to find tree recycling.

You can also always decorate a live tree you have in your home or in your yard (my favorite!). And in some areas, live, potted trees can be rented. Ask your local nursery about this or go to LivingChristmasTrees.org...or just plain google it.

Tree Lights

The lights you've been using for years are probably not the most super crazy eco-friendly ones, but don't toss them. The most green thing to do is to keep using them until you want to either pass them on to a friend or until they just stop working altogether. HolidayLEDs.com offers free Christmas light recycling and will give you a discount on new LED lights if you do this. Follow this link. Their recycling program ends in February. You can also look into your local eWaste program.

If you are replacing your lights, less lighting is the way to go, and always use a timer with them. LED lights are also a good choice because they use 80-90% less energy than regular lights.

Tree Ornaments & Decorating

Just a few notes on this....try using things you have found or made to decorate. This will also save you $$$ instead of buying them all new from the store. You can use a baby shoe or an old children's toy as an ornament and add a little one's name and date. Hang cookie cutters from ribbon, use memorabilia like concert tickets, airlines tickets...any tickets! You can use craft supplies to adhere them to wood patches too. Make ornaments from nature!! Pinecones and twigs and pebbles. Go crazy....buttons, silverware, things in your sewing kit....glue photos onto wood scraps or lids. Use cutouts from old holiday cards and magazines.

If you do buy ornaments, try to find groovy used ones on eBay, Craigslist, or from your local thrift store. If buying new ones, choose the most eco ones you can get your hands on. This usually means lead-free, Fair Trade, or ethically sourced options. You can visit CelebrateGreen.net for ideas.

Stockings!

They don't have to be something super fancy, in fact the more you use them, generally the more you start to love them and enjoy pulling it out each year. You can look for used stockings and big socks, or even big oven-mitts from your local thrift shops, garage sales, Craigslist, or eBay. If you buys a new stocking for the holidays, look for ones made from recycled or organic animal-friendly materials (that means no wool, too).

Holiday Cards

I save the fronts of holiday cards and reuse them. I keep them in a little box and pull them out when I need them. Try to reuse old cards, or make them out of stuff you have at home...magazines, old wrapping paper, etc.

But if you will be purchasing new ones, definitely try to go for 100% recycled cards....made from 100% post-consumer waste. And if they are printed with soy-based ink, that's even better! GreenFieldPaper.com sells recycled cards and hemp cards too! And BorealisPress.net is another great green card resource. You can also send seed embedded cards....card that you soak and then plant.

Gifts & Gift Wrapping

Visit my gift-giving blog for some tips, then check back for the gift-wrapping blog I'll be posting later in the week!

Holiday Meals & Parties

I've chosen my favorite recipes so far in the past recipe blogs. These would all be great for your holiday gatherings! I will also be posting some holiday recipes in the coming days, so keep checking back for those.

Try to make your party a little or no-waste event. Go for your own plates, cloth napkins, glasses, and silverware, but if you will be buy disposable, try for recycled or compostable/biodegradable dishware and utensils.

At my house, we don't do the tree or lights. We just enjoy the rain and cold, and we don't really do presents either. Am I a scroodge?

I love giving... I'm just not great about rules of when to give. I will of course give some gifts this year, but I'm always late, and end up giving gifts for the new year. I'm also a big believer in giving people you love the things they need or that move you to share with them... like treating them to meals, or if you discover something that you know would be perfect for them. I used to love writing out gift lists and shopping when I was little, but I just don't seem to be as into it these days. Maybe it's because of all of the consumerism, and the time is takes, and how it feels like an obligation. I prefer giving spontaneous, loving gifts.

We just really don't get excited about that stuff. We love the weather, food, and cozy vacation. It's also my husband's birthday on Christmas Day, so I always make a bigger deal of that and try to create a special event for him - which is very easy! This year is his 40th!

How will you make your Christmas green? Do you have any other ideas to add to those above?