The holidays can be a tough time for the eco-minded. For decades now, it has been the dreaded season of mindless consumption—a bloated period that's developed a rather unsettling inverse relationship to the duration of winter. It's the time of year we warm up the SUV for 20 minutes before driving off to the mall and shopping away our seasonal depression. But as the annual glut of holiday films reminds us, this time of year doesn't have to entail tacky plastic ornaments, a five-digit credit card statement or a waist-deep sea of shredded wrapping paper to warm our Grinch-green hearts. We've got a few ideas on how to keep tradition alive along with the planet.
Switch to LED lights
Decking more halls than the Joneses no longer entails firing up the auxiliary nuclear reactor. LED lights use one-tenth the power of incandescent bulbs, and now come in every color and formation, from icicle strands to multi-colored nets. And LED bulbs emit very little heat, so your tree stays fresh. You can find them at any major store or browse a large variety online at environmentallights.com.
Give less junk
Okay, no one likes spending money on superfluous tschotchkes that will, at best, make a brief stop on mom's mantle between Malaysia and the dump, but when last-minute gift panic sets in, grabbing the nearest ceramic snow-couple candy dish tempts even the most imaginative holiday shopper. The truth is, a substantial gift doesn't always come in a box; consider incorporeal presents like tickets to a play or a Black Hawks game. What about classes in salsa, mandolin, yoga or Spanish? A new skill is something a loved one will potentially use for a lifetime. If you're on a budget, a gift of your own time—making dinner or babysitting—can be the most thoughtful expression of the season.
Wrap it in reused materials
I used to wrap all my Christmas presents in cut-up paper shopping bags because it was cheap, but it dawned on me I was also reducing paper consumption and waste. Look around the house; old newspapers and magazines can serve one more happy function before shuffling off to the blue bin. I favored the paper bag option because it's easy to personalize with stamps, stickers and illustrations. If the rough-hewn appearance of found papers isn’t your style, Fish Lips Paper Designs sells recycled holiday gift wrap. Better yet, make the packaging part of the gift; handmade bags and cards by local artists abound at indie boutiques like Renegade Handmade in the Ukrainian Village and Fleur in Logan Square.
Tree-cycle!
Tree farming is one agricultural industry to feel pretty good about. Trees provide habitat for wildlife, absorb greenhouse gasses and produce oxygen. Keep the cycle green by saving your tree from the dumpster. Old Christmas trees can be used as mulch, to stabilize shorelines and as habitat for fish. Each year, the Chicago Park District has tree recycling drop-off at parks across the city, rewarding donors with a free bag of mulch. Check the website for details.
Better yet, keep it alive
Gethsemane Garden Center sells live potted trees that you can plant in your yard at the end of the season. If you don't have a yard, and you still want to decorate but are not willing to sacrifice a tree, consider decorating an outdoor tree or a houseplant or making a tree of your own.
Here are a few more tips on ways to celebrate green:
Keep the chemicals out of your alcohol
Toast the New Year organically. Binny's Beverage Depot and Sam's Wine and Spirits carry dozens of organic wines and beers.
Stop the junk mail insanity
Catalog Choice is a free service that helps you eliminate the tonnage of unwanted catalogs in your mailbox.
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