Posts Tagged ‘holiday’
Last year on Cyber Monday consumers spent nearly $890 million dollars online. Imagine the difference we could make if just a fraction of that money was spent on responsible, meaningful holiday gifts. That’s the goal of Green Gift Monday from The Nature Conservancy! So we thought we would put together some of our Greenest items and if you Like any of them feel free to blog/post them on Monday, November 29 in hope that more people will give green holiday gifts this year…
The men in your life will appreciate our focus on Organics again this year! You can get all the details on the items below at http://www.prana.com/men/collections/organics.html.
Organic Cotton
Conventionally grown cotton consumes approximately 25% of the insecticides and more than 10% of the pesticides used in the world. Organic production systems on the other hand replenish and maintain soil fertility, reduce the use of toxic and persistent pesticides and fertilizers, and build biologically diverse agriculture. Third-party certification organizations verify that organic producers use only methods and materials allowed in organic production. Organic cotton is grown without the use of toxic and persistent pesticides and synthetic fertilizers. In addition, federal regulations prohibit the use of genetically engineered seed for organic farming.
We haven’t forgotten the beautiful women in your life either! Her Organic styles will not only keep her cozy and in style outside but she’ll feel better inside knowing that these choices have a lower environmental impact. You can get all the details on the items below at http://www.prana.com/women/collections/organics.html
Be sure to check out our Women’s Recycled Poly styles for another low impact alternative at http://bit.ly/WomensRecycledPoly!
For more on other TNC Green Gift Monday partners click HERE
Or Tweet ” Responsible, meaningful holiday gifts like these Organics from prAna.com bit.ly/GGM2010prAna #GGM2010 #nature_org“
What do 3 Germans do when they travel to Mallora for holiday… Lots of climbing and celebrating with the locals. Courtesy of Toni Lamprecht
If you’re looking for handmade arts and crafts from over 150 vendors and to support local and small businesses this holiday season, visit the Renegade Craft Fair, a DIY event featuring indie-craft and contemporary design talents. They just wrapped up shop after a great weekend in Chicago and are coming to San Francisco on December 19 and 20.
Those looking to shop handmade and support small business this holiday season will surely find something for everyone – from jewelry and clothing, to ceramics and stationery, with everything from bath products, housewares, posters, comics and plush objects in between – at this large-scale, FREE-TO-ATTEND art, craft and design extravaganza!
Other event features include free raffles of publications from Chronicle Books, items from Jenny Hart’s Sublime Stitching, papergoods from Pinball Publishing, signed copies of Ed Roth’s Stencil 101 Decor, and Faythe Levine’s Handmade Nation – both the book and the DVD documentary! Free copies of Readymade Magazine can be found at the Renegade Craft Welcome Station and be sure to pop in the free-to-use photo booth provided by Magnolia Photo Booth Co. Food and beverages will also be available for purchase!
Stuck to white lights, green wreaths, and an 8-foot-spruce? Perhaps this is the year to start changing things up. Don’t worry: We’re not suggesting you get rid of that ornament your newlywed son made in first grade, but there are plenty of other ways–from incorporating nature into your place settings to finding new ways to use old holiday goodies–for you to give your home a December makeover without wasting time, money, or resources. Read on for seven of our favorites–and leave your can’t-miss traditions in the comments.
1. String up Energy-saving LED lights
Make a cheery first impression with the right holiday lights for indoors and out by trading out your old incandescents for bright, bold LEDs–which can save you as much as 30 percent on your electric bill. Traditional bulbs tap between 6-9 watts, while LEDs use .05-.07; you could use an LED strand more than 200 times for the same cost as one use of an older strand. (Figure out your own savings at Holiday LEDs.) While the initial investment might seem like a lot, you can get discounts by recycling your old lights at Home Depot or Holiday LEDs–and since LEDs last longer, you won’t need to replace the whole string next Thanksgiving. Want to save even more energy? Shell out for solar-powered LED lights, which use the power they collect throughout the day to light your home at night.
2. Choose the Right Tree (or None at All)
You can skip the tree entirely: Create a holiday atmosphere by lighting a pine-scented soy candle and decorating with branches and wreaths. But if you absolutely need a place for Santa to leave the presents, you can still add some green to your greenery: Choose a potted tree that you can replant outside; go to your local Christmas tree farm instead of buying one shipped from across the country; and choose an organically-grown version of your favorite pine or spruce. And once the needles have dropped and the season is over, recycle it through curbside pickup (after which most trees are turned to mulch) or check Earth 911 for a list of drop-off locations near you.
3. Think Recycled, Used, Biodegradable, or Already Owned Ornaments
Unless you’re decorating a tree that’s going to be highlighted in some sort of national decorating magazine, trust us: You do not need perfectly new, color-coordinated ornaments every year. But you also don’t need to use everyone one of your elementary school art project ones every year, either: Try choosing a color or theme to help you edit your collection and give your tree a modern look, from traditional red, gold, and silver to more contemporary purple, blue, and green. Still think your tree is a little bare? Collect family favorites from your parents or grandparents; make your own ornaments from recyclables, cloth, or paper; or bake new ones from biodegradable dough.
4. Serve a Festive Feast with a Gorgeous Centerpiece
Planning an eco-friendly, vegetarian menu is one thing (see our green dinner party tips for foolproof, flawless food) but every great entertainer knows that presentation is everything. Creative, inexpensive centerpieces–like fresh foliage from your yard, mix-and-match ornaments, or holiday potpourri–can take the place of elaborate displays while keeping your table cozy and comfortable. Shop for coordinating (but not identical) holiday dishes at thrift stores and yard sales to create one-of-a-kind place settings for each of your guests (and rearrange them next year for an entirely new look). And don’t underestimate the beauty of the food itself: Serve pumpkin soup in a hollowed out pumpkin, stuff squash for extra effect, and let bright berries pop on neutral platters.
5. Rethink What You Have
Now that you have the showiest parts of your holiday decor ready for their closeup, it’s time to spread the season throughout the rest of your home–though that doesn’t mean you have to spend a lot or waste a lot. Shop your home for items you can rework for the holidays: Display red serving platters, fill a jar with peppermints, tie bows on the frames of your favorite photos, or paint your favorite outdoor planters for splashy entryway decor. Don’t feel committed to traditional colors, either: collect blue, green, and gold ornaments in a vase in your bedroom, arrange black and silver candlesticks with jewel-toned ribbon on the mantle, and set out black and white photos of past generations opening gifts, meeting Santa, or hanging stockings for a sentimental touch.
6. Bring the Outside In
Old-fashioned revelers always seemed to make their homes look flawless with nothing more than a string of popcorn, some carefully threaded cranberries, and a few modest candles. And while you don’t need to give up all of your decor in favor of plants, you should think twice before ignoring what Mother Nature has to offer: Surround stems in glass vases with deep red cranberries, leave out a bowl of chestnuts for an earthy accent, line up green and red apples on your windowsill. Check local farm stands and produce markets for in-season pumpkins, gourds, fruits, and vegetables that do double duty as placecards, candleholders, or stocking-stuffers.
7. What About Wrapping?
Now’s the time to take a fresh look at paper around the house. Recycled brown bags, wallpaper, maps, the Sunday Funnies–all these sources lead to uniquely wrapped gifts that add holiday cheer without sending more waste to the landfill. More crafty? Try painting empty cardboard boxes, collaging magazine or newspaper pages, or designing your own wrapping paper on upcycled paper bags for a unique finish touch on any decor.
Cross Posted from Treehugger
The season for giving is fast approaching, and it’s time to start looking for the perfect gifts for all of the special people in your life. When we know we selected just the right gift for our loved ones, it gives us a warm and fuzzy feeling, right? Well – as it was once famously put – we are living in a material world; and sometimes that makes gift-giving stressful and expensive. It may sound a little cheesy and cliché, but oftentimes the gift really is in the giving. This year try bringing back that warm and fuzzy feeling of gift-giving by making it a creative and thoughtful effort. You can be more original (and hopefully less consumptive) by thinking like a green, eco-conscious consumer this holiday season.
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Top Tips
- Bag of Goodies. Instead of making a gift basket, use a reusable bag to fill with tons of eco-friendly goodies like a BPA-free water containers, compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs), soy or beeswax candles, organic cookie and cake mixes, and eco-friendly skin care products. These items are all useful, thoughtful, and good for the environment and…Who doesn’t want a whole bag of free stuff?!
- Make great memories. Buying tickets to the theater, a museum or a concert is a fantastic gift because you’re guaranteed to find something for anyone. Whether you’re shopping for your artsy bookworm friend or your indie rock ‘n roll buddy, there are so many options for you to choose from. Depending on where you live and what type of tickets you’re buying, they can become pricey, so you may want to save this type of gift for someone really special.
- Consumable gifts. Spending money for a gift that isn’t going to get any use besides gathering dust in garage is a waste in so many ways. Selections of organic baked goods, fresh flowers, dried fruit, and organic teas are gifts that are sure to be enjoyed with very little waste.
- Material gifts. If you have to purchase a material gift, just make sure it’s something that will get a lot of use. Try to stay away from items that are easily disposable or may not be used often. Just because your sister really likes waffles, doesn’t mean she’s in dire need of a waffle-maker. If you’re going to spend the money, why not buy something the person really needs? If you know the person well enough, you might know of something they are thinking of getting themselves, and maybe just haven’t gotten around to it, so beat them to it. You’ll know your gift will be thoroughly enjoyed.
- Green Gadgets. This article lists 50 green gadgets that are great gifts for the eco-conscious consumer. They range from eco-chargers solar-powered tents!
- Does not include batteries. Although batteries have greatly improved since they became a household “necessity” in the 1980’s, they still contain Read the rest of this entry »
