Christmas time...

Season's greetings.

I got an email from my friend J3Names...

It's christmas. And so I ask. How do you package your gifts that you give? Me, I use old shopping bags (often the bag the purchase came in but more often a grocery sack with some holiday cheer on it) and whatever I can find as a substitute for grooving up the holidays.

If you are serious about this, I encourage you not purchase gift bags and boxes and what-nots that are the same kind of waste as over-packaging, and in fact, encourage consumer over-packaging. Recycle your own in some creative capacity. Save a tree, save the world.

My weird family used to cut down a thorn tree (that grew like weeds in the back woodlot) and use that as a Christmas tree. Plus, we all wrapped our presents in newspaper. This year is the second year my wife and I have used the same tree. It's a little potted pine that had some weird wind damage to it, but has filled out nicely in other places. It has tons of character.

Any suggestions for a green Christmas?

www.at-bristol.org.uk/wildwalk/GreenChristmas.htm
This is a British site that has a picture of a sweet and strange British couple enjoying a British Christmas day. Click on the various "yuletide elements" to find out what may make a greener holiday choice. Good for the kiddiwinks!

www.christmastrees.on.ca/consumers/recycling-ideas.html
What you can do with your Christmas tree after you use it! From the experts!

Here's a suggestion from our government:
www.ec.gc.ca/EnviroZine/english/issues/15/get_involved_e.cfm
More enviro-friendly Holiday tips:

• Try a potted tree this year. You can plant it in your yard in the spring and decorate it outdoors next year.
• Decorate your tree with handmade ornaments, strings of fresh cranberries and popcorn.
• New energy-saving outdoor light use 5-watt bulbs instead of 7-watt bulbs, a difference of 30 per cent less energy used.
• LED (Light Emitting Diode) holiday lights use about 99 per cent less energy than larger holiday bulbs at a tremendous savings on your energy bill.
• Homemade cards add a special personal touch or send an e-card this year to all your on-line friends.

If you believe in vegetarianism as a way to save the world, here's a Christmas website for you:
www.goveg.com/
It's got interesting recipes for vegetarian alternatives this Christmas.

And here's one from the hometown Hogtown boys (and girls):
www.toronto.ca/ourcity/holiday3r.htm

And of course, our old friends from Greenpeace, with some excellent suggestions including flourescent light bulb gifts and a "green guide" to consumer electronics. Plus, unnecessary encouragement to increase the mistletoe factor! What could bring world peace faster than lots of kissing? (except if you are kissing someone else's wife...)
www.greenpeace.org/canada/en/campaigns/12-steps-to-a-greener-holiday

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