The holidays are a time to celebrate! As we all know, it’s very easy to get caught up in the rush of the season. We spend a lot of money on gifts for loved ones. We cook, bake, rush around to various Christmas parties and school functions – there’s a lot to think about during this time of the year. Before you know it, we’ve spent a ton of energy and created a lot of waste.
Consider these statistics:
- Americans throw away 25% more trash between Thanksgiving and New Year’s.
- About 35% of Americans have an unused Christmas present collecting dust in their closets.
- 8,000 tons of wrapping paper are used at Christmas each year, equating to roughly 50,000 trees.
There are many easy ways to conserve during the holidays; here are some ideas below:
- Use artificial trees – if that doesn’t work for you, buy a living tree that you can replant outside after the holidays are over.
- Be energy efficient – use few or no lights, go LED, decorate creatively with natural materials, make your own gifts (at least some of them), get creative and make it a family affair!
- Shop online, or take your own shopping bags when you’re out and about.
- Donate to a charity or service organization in the name of a friend – giving is what it’s all about, right?
- Use creative materials for gift wrap, such as: scarves, fabric, handkerchiefs, old maps, sheet music, advertisements in the newspaper – just to name a few!
- Eat sustainable food
- Avoid disposable containers
Some of these ideas will allow you to craft, explore your creativity, and spend time with your family – all while giving back to Mother Earth. Above all, make sure you take the time to enjoy the wonder of the season. Happy Holidays from Creative Conservation!
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