Season's Greenings

OK, so I've been gone for a little while- I was moving to a new state and starting an new job...cut me some slack!

Having recently checked the calendar, I was shocked (along with many of you, admit it) to see that it is already December 10! When did that happen. Only 15 shopping days left until Christmas. We all know how hectic this season can be, but did you know how harmful it is to our environment? Experts estimate that the holiday season (between Thanksgiving and New Year's) adds 25 million tons of garbage to our landfills?

A recent poll showed that people want to have a more fulfilling and less stressful holiday season. Sometimes the most treasured gifts we can give are our time, love and energy. In the spirit of giving, I’ve gathered some holiday gift ideas that create less waste and more memories. Many of the ideas provided here will help your family save money, help the planet save its resources, and help you save your sanity! Take this holiday season to truly commit to a more sustainable lifestyle. You’ll feel good about it, and you’ll be instilling a new ethic into family traditions!

Over the next few days, I will be posting information that will allow you to make more informed decisions this holiday season. In my research, I've found that much of this information is available, scattered throughout webpages and splashed haphazardly around the internet. I've tried to compile the most up-to-date recommendations from reliable environmentally-friendly sources. Don’t expect the “right” answers for eco-friendly holidays, because in moany cases there are no “right” answers. Hopefully this guide will inspire you to make more thoughtful choices that will lead to a new tradition of living gently on the planet.