How to Think Green this Christmas

Do you want to have a frugal, green Christmas this year? Do you want to be kind to the planet and celebrate the birth of Jesus? These two thoughts don't have to be separate ideas. We can scale back our consumer mentality this Christmas, have more fun and be kind to our planet all in the same celebration.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. 
   Green Christmas

   CHANGE YOUR IDEA OF GIFT-GIVING. Gifts don't have to be extravagant to be meaningful. Donate to a charity in someone's name. Buy gifts from Ten Thousand Villages (a fair trade website that offers unique jewelry, home decor, etc. that enables 3rd world people to make a living) See resources. Give only gifts that are handmade. Or give only gifts that are consumable to help think green this Christmas.

2. 
   Green Christmas

   CHANGE THE WAY YOU LIGHT YOUR HOUSE FOR CHRISTMAS. Have you ever considered using LED lights instead of normal Christmas lights? LED lights use 90% less energy than regular Christmas lights. Always look for the Energy Star.

3. USE REUSABLE BAGS AND RECYCLED WRAPPING PAPER. This Christmas carry your own shopping bags to the stores. You will be using less plastic bags and saving yourself the bother of disposing all that trash. Use fabric bags, bags from last Christmas, or wrap gifts in the funny papers. Use your imagination! Brown wrapping paper and a bow makes a beautiful gift!

4. 
   Green Christmas

   SEND ELECTRONIC CARDS. They are cheaper and get delivered immediately. You can choose animated, funny or Christian cards and deliver them to everyone on your list in a fraction of the time! This saves trees and the environment. Another way to think Green this Christmas

Resources

• TenThousandVillages