Have Yourself A Biofriendly Christmas

Yes everyone, it’s that time of year again.  In the frenzy that is Christmas, there are a few things we can do to bring good tidings to mother earth as well.  So, according to this Natural Choices article, here are the top 10 tips for making your Christmas festively green:

1. Turn off your fairy lights.  More to the point turn off anything you are not using.  Christmas is a good excuse to turn up the crazy dial and celebrate, but attempting to make your home visible from the moon is a waste when there’s no one around to appreciate it.  Save the lights where you can – that goes for anything you’re not using.

2. Be choosy about Christmas cards.  How many of us toss the Christmas cards we receive in the merciless post Christmas cleanup?  Think about buying recycled cards and/or cards that benefit charities.  With this age of technology, consider an e-mail or e-card.  After that, any cards you plan on chucking – chuck them in the recycling.

3. Recycle.  While recycling Christmas cards, don’t forget the wrapping paper.  Buy recycled wrapping paper instead.

4. Most candles are made with paraffin, which comes from petroleum residues that are not conducive to good health.  Usually, the nice striking white candles are made from paraffin – try soy, beeswax or natural vegetable-based candles that are smoke free and biodegradable.

5. Biodegradable decorations can show the festive spirit and be kind to the planet.  Try decorations made from organic and recycled materials: popcorn, cinnamon sticks, bows, gingerbread, holly etc.  These can go in the compost and won’t clog up landfills.

6. Real fresh Christmas trees not only smell like Christmas, they are biodegradable and more Biofriendly.  They might not last as long as the fake ones, but they won’t sit in landfill either when they fall apart.  Nothing sets up for a Merry Christmas like the traditional tree wrestling when trying to get it home – it’s a bonding experience.

7. Kids love toys, and yes I just pointed out the screaming obvious.  What may not be so obvious to us in the midst of our mad Christmas frenzy is the small print “Batteries Not Included”.  Traditional batteries are not biodegradable and are difficult to recycle.  Be prepared this Christmas with rechargeable batteries.

8. Christmas lunch/dinner, it’s what turns big burly men into snoozing softies.  And we look forward to it every year.  Diets get left at the front door and culinary delights dance on our taste buds.  This year, try organic food or food that is locally grown.

9. This one’s difficult for me – I’m a hoarder and find it difficult to give things away that people have given me, no matter how insanely ridiculous the gift is…  but I’ll work on it (again).  So, for those unwanted presents, I liked the idea of recycling to charities.  Try and find a home that might want it before you try the bin.

10. Give charity or biofriendly gifts.  This could make your ears burn horribly the next day so think this one through.  There are gifts out there that are friendlier to the environment than others and won’t cause a backlash.  Just a little forethought and imagination will get you inspired for this one.

So there you have it – a more biofriendly Christmas.  Whether it’s a little or a lot, any effort makes a contribution.  So, during the festive silly-season, may you all be safe, merry and a little bit greener.

about the author

Sofia Lockhart

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