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Why It's Good:
Go on, spread a little holiday cheer. No need to go overboard—the simplest touch of seasonal décor raises spirits and energizes your space...before you know it, you'll be humming old favorites and inviting the gang over for hot toddys and laughs.
Why It's Green:
It's easy to be green this season. Here, our picks for sustainable, recycled, organic, reclaimed, energy-saving, and biodegradable décor. See below for details or click on the links to learn more.
Have a Wonderful Green Holiday!
When decorating for the holidays this year, you may be surprised by this advice: Less is More. That means no cheap tinsel, cackling Santas, or glowing reindeer. No fake snow (toxic goo), PVC window decals, and Styrofoam snowmen. Why add to the tons of non-recyclable, non-biodegradable Christmas clutter clogging our landfills? If you stop to think about it, holiday requirements are simple: Loved ones, heartfelt words (by phone or mail), a delicious table, and memories, old and new. A fresh approach to what's considered the most stressful month of the year: Joy and Thoughtfulness, and above all, Simplicity. This back-to-basics mentality naturally leads to all things environmental.
This December, when guests knock at my door, they'll be greeted by a fragrant organic evergreen wreath (pictured, center right)—no frills, and genuine outdoors-inside-goodness. (Fake wreaths and trees require tons of electricity, not to mention petroleum-based plastics, to manufacture). They'll warm their hands at the fireplace, where a low-emission, recycled java-ground log will spark long into the night. A re-plantable live tree from an environmentally managed farm will be decorated with clear, blue, and green recycled glass bulbs (pictured, top right) —lovely in a group. Nestled among the branches will be red and white eco-felt birds and shining recycled glass icicles. A handful of energy-saving LED tapers and votives will dot the mantle and beckon carolers from windowsills, and the trees outside will be laced with solar-powered strings of winking lights.
The night before Christmas, I'll wrap gifts in cheery hemp and recycled paper (pictured, bottom right) and yards of colorful biodegradable ribbon, labeling recycled wood gift tags and penning warm holiday wishes to friends and family on handprinted, eco-friendly holiday cards. Wishing you a jolly green holiday.—Elizabeth McMullen
