Environmentally friendly ideas please for making my home welcoming this Christmas?

Answer 1

Using a live tree will only work if you live in an area where you can actually plant it after the holidays. Here (in Minnesota) it's too cold and the ground too hard already, so not an option. If you buy a real tree (cut down), go to a local farm that grows sustainably. Then check with your local city/county to see if there is a program that will recycle these trees ... some areas will chip/shred them into mulch. Artificial trees seem like a good option, but are created with chemicals and oil ... not so good for the environment even though you use them several times. Consider going without a tree? Some families are OK with this, some aren't.

If you decorate with lights, check out the newer LED's, they use less energy. Use a timer so they are only on for certain hours of the day.

Give gifts that don't require extra packaging or wrapping. Consider giving fewer gifts to kids - most have one or two items they really want and the rest is just for show. Think about getting gifts that are environmentally friendly and locally made instead of shipped over from China.

Consider decorating with items that can be re-used throughout the year - for example, set your table with a beautiful tablecloth and plain white china, add sparkle with candles. Tie cloth ribbons around the chairs. Spread festive pillows and throws around your living room. Consider buying cotton slipcovers for your furniture in holiday colors. You can reuse them every year and they instantly change the look of you home.

Answer 2

I only have 2 ideas:

Cloth reusable gift bags instead of wrapping paper
Live tree that can be planted outside when the season ends

Merry Christmas!