11.28.2010

A Greener Christmas

I absolutely love Christmas. It is truly the most wonderful time of the year, which is part of why I rush the season so much. In the heat of July, I'm aching for temperatures in the 40s, sweaters, tea, and the warmth of the holiday season.

But it's not just the presents that make this day so special to me, as it may have been when I was younger. In fact, the actual day of isn't so much what I love, but rather the anticipation, the feeling surrounding the holiday season, from the music to the decorations, food, shopping, planning, and the undeniable joviality that infects everyone you meet. These are the things I love about Christmas and these are things that, I believe, you should start channeling as soon as Halloween is over, although I usually begin even earlier than that.

I love finding new ways to give my home that holiday feel, cooking up new recipes using the best ingredients of the season, and thinking of unique and personal gifts to make for my friends and family. I recently came across a wonderful book entitled A Greener Christmas, edited by Sheherazade Goldsmith, which is full of great ideas for Christmas to save money, reduce negative environmental impact, and remember what the season is really all about. Goldsmith urges you to avoid the pull of consumerism by demonstrating the ease of creating a healthy and happy Christmas for all the people you love and the environment around you as well.


Just a few of the fabulous ideas and tips include:
  • Wreaths made of dried leaves
  • Fragrant ornaments made of dried fruits and aromatics
  • DIY fabric and paper ornaments
  • Homemade gift ideas personalized for anyone of your Christmas list
  • Recipes galore!
  • Instructions for making mulled wine
  • Recycled card and gift wrap options
  • Table setting decorations
For any Christmas, DIY, or decorating fanatics, I highly recommend picking up this book. Though these ideas are all centered around Christmas, the projects and methods can easily serve as inspiration for other seasons and celebrations. Keep an eye out for future posts featuring projects from this very book!

6 comments:

  1. I, too, think that Christmas time is sublime. I love your green ideas!

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  2. This is actually the first Christmas I am making homemade gifts. The reason I chose to was because I am extrememly poor this holiday but still wanted to give everyone something.. I'm so happy because it has opened my eyes and I want to do it EVERY Christmas from now on! There are so many great gifts you can make! <3

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  3. I love the idea of making homemade gifts - I'm hoping to make some pretty and delicious jars of trailmix and some bath scrub. It's always much harder than it looks though isn't it!

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  4. I'm so glad that so many of you are making homemade gifts! It really forces you to be super creative and then you end up with a wonderful product in the end... And I know that I love to get something made by hand because I can appreciate all the work that went into it! Thanks for all your lovely comments ladies!

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  5. Love these ideas! I definitely try to use items I already have around the house when decorating, and I definitely recycle gift wrap. I've even been know to take a giant GAP bag and cover up the store's emblem with a patch of leftover wrapping paper, then taping a big initial letter over that. People think it's so "custom", but it was a lot cheaper than buying a gift bag new.

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