Tips for a Greener Christmas Part III: Making Old New Again

Ordinary Environmentalists have the same challenges many others do coming up with affordable and memorable holiday decorations. The difference is that we also try to make sustainable choices that benefit, or at least do not hurt our environment. 

Since we are Ordinary Environmentalists we don't get all freaky about sustainability, however in our busy lives we look for simple ways to make an environmental difference. Here are a few ideas for making old items new again for the holidays in Part III in this three part series on Tips for a Greener Christmas.

Part III: Making Old New Again

Tip #8 Insert last year's holiday cards into picture frames.It if fun to holiday cards in the mail each year and so many of them are fun or beautiful that is difficult to throw them away. You don't have to if you simply insert the front cover of the cards into picture frames you will have instant holiday-themed decorations. This is also a great way to add a special touch if you are giving a picture frame as a gift.

Tip #9 Paint old picture frames in new colors.

Speaking of picture frames, if you have some outdated or scratched picture frames, take out some half-used paint cans and paint the frames in new colors. This is great for holiday-themed decorations, or for any time of the year. These repurposed picture frames may also make a nice gift to someone special. See Tip #6  Have an Upcycle Challenge. 

Tip #10 Paint old boxes for gift wrapping

Since we are on the subject of paint, and while you have it out for Tip #9, why not take some sturdy boxes and cover them in a coat of holiday-themed paint. Put your gifts inside, tie it up with a little ribbon and you have a great looking present!

Tip #11 Wrap garland around a tomato cage

If you have a summer vegetable garden, chances are you have a cone shaped tomato cage. Simply flip it upside down and wrap garland around it for a little Christmas Tree. It is a fun, inexpensive and easy way to decorate your yard while repurposing common items. Directions

That wraps up our three part series on Tips for a Green Christmas. We hope you try some of these tips and continue on as an Ordinary Environmentalist after the holidays!

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Tips for a Greener Christmas Part II: Reuse & Bring New Meaning to Gift Giving

Yes even us Ordinary Environmentalists can get caught up in excessive consumerism during the holidays. It takes a great deal of energy and resources to create holiday gifts - from the oil that make plastic toys, the manufacturing pollution, generated from making warm fuzzy throws, the immense about of fuel required to ship the products to your local store or home, and all of the packaging required to protect the gift.

Now Ordinary Environmentalists are not extreme green freaks, but there are some easy creative ways to give meaningful gifts that promote sustainable gift giving. Please read Part II of this three part series on Tips for a Greener Christmas to learn how.

Reuse and Bring New Meaning to Gift Giving

Tip #4 Give a White Elephant Gift

In ancient India it was a great honor to receive an albino elephant as a gift. The problem was, it was too valuable to use for labor, and it ate a LOT, and become less valuable to the new owner. Over time a "white elephant gift" became the tradition of giving away something you do not want to someone that might find value in it, will find it very funny.

White Elephant Gifts

Start a new White Elephant tradition with your extended cousin get-togethers and co-workers where you exchange unwanted items from your house for something from theirs! Dig into your closets and find that leg lamp (think "A Christmas Story), cat embroidered sweater, unopened Chia pet, wall-mounted talking fish, etc. And your holiday memories will be about the laughs you shared with your loved ones.

Tip #5 Re-gift (discretely)

Unlike a white elephant exchange, where laughter is your goal, giving someone an unused gift you received can be a great way to reuse an item. Don't like that bottle of Cabernet someone gave you? Put it in a nice gift bag and give as a host gift. Who would enjoy the bling jewelry that isn't your style, the beautiful scarf that doesn't work with your complexion or the gift card to the store you never go to. As long as it hasn't been used, is packaged nicely and you are certain the original gifter will not know you re-gifted, it is perfectly acceptable to re-gift and feel good about making Christmas a little greener.

Tip #6 Have an Upcycle Gift Challenge

For your gift exchanges, have a challenge where everyone has to purchase something from a consignment or thrift store with a set dollar limit and/or they need to repurpose it into a new gift. The ideas are endless; matching separate jewelry pieces into a coordinated gift set, finding picture frames and inserting fun pictures of the two of you in them, or putting together an action hero-themed kids gift box of barely used books, CDs and DVDs you know they will love.

Tip #7 Give the Gift of Time

Time is the most valuable thing you can give to those you love. Give the gift of time with a home made coupon book or gift certificate that declares you will do something with or for your loved one. It could be helping Dad clean out the garage, or spending an afternoon helping Grandma sort through her old pictures, it could be taking your niece to the zoo or giving a young Mom the day off while you babysit.

A greener Christmas is easy for an Ordinary Environmentalist with just a little bit of creativity. You may also find yourself saving time and money when you take a few steps to simplify Christmas.

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Tips for a Greener Christmas Part I: Reducing Waste While Personalizing Gifts

It is easy for us Ordinary Environmentalists just like anyone else, to get caught up in excessive consumerism during the holidays. This over-consumption steals our time, empties our wallets and covers up what the true meaning of the holidays is for us. It also means a 25% increase in trash between Thanksgiving and New Years for the average household according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Please read Part I of a three part series on simply ways to make better choices for our environment during this holiday season.

25% Increase in Trash

Here are three tips for simplifying your holidays by reducing transportation costs from manufacturing and shipping, and reducing packaging that ends up in landfills.

REDUCING WASTE WHILE PERSONALIZING GIFTS

Tip #1: Use natural plant materials instead of bows to decorate presents. 
Go into your back yard and find leaves, evergreen twigs, berries and interesting barks and use them instead of expensive and over-packaged bows and ribbons that will get tossed out with the wrapping paper. Also look in your drawers for interesting buttons, small unused toys, kitchen gadgets, scarfs, etc. that can be repurposed into unique gift packaging for that reflects the gift receiver's personality, interests and/or hobbies.

Plants and foliage = great gifts and decorations

Tip #2 Give plants instead of flowers.
Flowers will be gone in a few days, however a plant can last for years, brings a bit of nature indoors and help improve air quality. There are plenty of price points and plant choices: an herb plant makes a great gift for Anita the cook, a high maintenance bonsai tree for recently retired Grandpa, a crazy-looking cactus for Tim, the on-the-go college student - you get the idea!

Tip #3 Give a donation to a good cause. 
Instead of giving Great Auntie Denise another scarf, why not donate in her name to a non-profit organization she supports? If you don't know what your gift recipient supports, this is a good opportunity to get to know them better and they will really appreciate that you gave to something near and dear to their heart. 

Donate a Gift to a Good Cause

These are three simple tips any Ordinary Environmentalist can easily implement this holiday season. Please comment and share your ideas to reduce holiday waste.

Watch for Part II:  Tips for a Green Christmas - Repurpose and Bring New Meaning to Gift Giving

Find more Ordinary Environmentalist tips and ideas on Twitter and Facebook!

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