Have a Merry Green Holiday!

There are many ways to celebrate the winter holidays in style while leaving a lighter, greener footprint. Here’s Chocolate Granola’s 2010 guide to greening your holidays.   Although many of these suggestions are for the NY and DC metro areas, they can definitely apply elsewhere.

Deck the Halls with Sustainable Decor
Whether you are having holiday parties or simply sprucing up your home, think about using natural decorations.  Carefully arranged branches or seasonal fruit can make a dramatic statement or cozy up a plain corner.  Almost any combination of cones, fruit or twigs looks impressive in a clear glass container.  Try making a centerpiece of  soy candles.  Candlelight softens large spaces and makes even the smallest apartment seem romantic. There are many naturally scented soy candles.  Soy wax burns cleaner and longer than paraffin wax.  Try de-luxe’s Maison scented candles or Self Essentials’ aromatherapy soy pillar candles.  Both companies use 100% pure soy wax made from soy grown by American farmers.  

While I do not have a tree in my apartment, my fond holiday memories include my Dad singing carols and decorating the tree with old family ornaments.  For those who associate the season with crisp smell of pine cones and evergreen leaves, consider buying your wreaths or trees from responsible growers.  Green in Vermont, which services Brooklyn, New York and Licking Creek Trees in the Washington, D.C. area are some of the farms which use certified organic farming practices and offer Christmas trees.  

Adorn your tree or wreath with energy efficient LED-lights.   While the initial cost is higher than traditional bulbs, these bulbs will save you up to 90% in electricity costs!  That’s a nice way to save some green while lighting up the winter nights.  Check out Environmental Lights, they offer a multitude of LED lights for inside or outdoor usage.  After the holidays, remember to recycle your tree!  The NYC Department of Sanitation conducts special collections for Christmas trees every January.  Your tree will be mulched and recycled to support other city plants.  If you live in New Jersey, consider getting your tree from the 14^th Street Garden Center.  They will deliver your trees and pick them up for recycling afterward.

Bag an Apple
You will surprise and delight vegans and techies alike with Matt and Nat accessories.  These bags are cool enough to impress the fashionistas, durable enough to endure the morning  commute and not made using any animal products.  Think Marc Jacobs meets Seattle sensibility.  These forward thinking designers consistently put forth classy collections that are full of thoughtful detailing.  According to their website, each product contains at least one recycled element.  Many of the fixtures are made of antique brass and the 100% recycled suede lining  is made from recycled plastic bottles.  Matt and Nat recently began offering special bags for Apple products.  What makes a Mac even cooler?  Putting it in a sleek, socially responsible bag.

Go Vintage
Going vintage is not just for Williamsburg hipsters.  It is more eco-friendly to reuse than to purchase new items.  It keeps good quality items from being tossed into landfills, reduces the resources it takes to produce and ship new products, and is often less expensive than buying new, more cheaply-made made stuff.  But no one said you have to give up style to be green.  Often you will get better quality and more unique pieces at a vintage store.  Some of my favorite handbags and shoes are my mother's from the seventies.  A worn leather bag or briefcase adds sophistication and character to any outfit.  Legacy, a NY store, offers online shopping for designer or signature vintage pieces.

Looking to put a twinkle in your loved ones' eyes?  Give accessories that make a statement.  There are many chic and beautiful vintage jewelers.  Whether you are looking for casual cocktail rings or estate jewelry, there are tons of options.  

Experience Gifts
Give the one thing that no one else can give them - your undivided attention.  Treat your loved ones to dinner and a show.    If you are a great cook, grab the ingredients from your local farmer’s market and make a memorable meal.  Not exactly Alice Waters in the kitchen?  Don’t worry, a lot of restaurants are locavore-friendly.  Find a restaurant that serves fresh, seasonal ingredients.  The Savoy in Soho is a great place for winter dining.  After enjoying a savory meal, head uptown for the shows. I love seeing Alvin Ailey in December.  Go on a night when they are performing “Revelations”; it always brings down the house.  Have little ones?  Take them to ice skating in an outdoor rink.  Maybe you can start a new seasonal tradition.  The entire family will have a blast and you can relive the experience again and again.

Been there, done that?  What about making your gifts together?  Paint a ceramic.  Knit a sweater.  Bake tasty treats.  Make homemade soap or scented candles.  There are lots of kits for the craft lover in your household.  This year, join them in making homemade gifts.  They do not have to be perfect. The fun of making something together will be a present in and of itself.

Pay it Forward
What do you give the person who has everything? Maybe this year you give them the warm feeling that comes from being altruistic.  Millions of people are suffering from natural disasters.  Instead of buying more stuff, give a gift of hope.  Donate to a favorite charity instead.  Many charities will send notices explaining exactly what was given on your behalf.  If Waiting for Superman made you cry, donate to a classroom through DonorsChoose.org's Classroom Project.  Feeling like you want to give to farmers? Heifer International provides agricultural families worldwide with marketable farm animals.  Give a flock of chicks, a goat or a water buffalo.  Bet no one in the family ever got one of those before!  Not sure what to give but think your in-laws might be less than thrilled with a card saying thanks for the gaggle of geese? The UK-based organization WorldVision has a catalog of “must have gifts” that features numerous ideas for much needed charitable gifts.


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