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59 Christmas Ideas to Help Save the Environment

We don't want to ruin your Holliday Season so we looked for a way to quantify the impact Christmas has on the environment that doesn't make us look like Scrooge or the Grinch. We found these charts that show Santa's carbon footprint. They are done in a light hearted way but still get the point across that we should be aware of ways to reduce the excesses of this great time of year. Santa's Carbon Footprint


15 Don’t wrap Christmas presents  Read more

154 Buy real Christmas trees DEBATE  Read more

161 Save bubble wrap and Styrofoam peanuts from packages to use again

175 Reuse gift wrappings and bows

176 Use gift bags that can be reused instead of wrapping paper

216 Use led Christmas lights on house

601 Connect Christmas lighting to timer and shut off after Midnight

629 Use led Christmas lights on tree

633 Reduce the number of Christmas lights you use

677 Don’t use scented candles  Read more

694 Wrap gifts in fabric and tie with ribbon; both are reusable  Read more

730 Give energy saving gifts on Christmas

731 Give environmentally friendly gifts on Christmas

809 Use Energy Star decorative light strings for the holiday

811 Buy living tree you can plant outside or keep as a houseplant after holidays  Read more

812 Take tree to chipping facility or return to environment in Eco-friendly way  Read more

813 Consider using few or no lights in your holiday decorations

814 Save money and resources by making your own gifts

815 Give experiential gifts like theater tickets or other experience based tickets

817 Reuse the fronts of old cards as holiday postcards or gift tags

818 Buy cards made from “post-consumer” content and printed in non-toxic inks

819 Send email cards or make your own

820 Use fiber optic lighting on the holidays

981 Have a non traditional Christmas  Read more

1088 Avoid plastic toys Read More And More

1139 Make eco-gift list for Christmas right now

1219 Use biodegradable cellulose tape to wrap gifts

1551 Buy wooden toys this year 

1552 Buy wooden non plastic board games for christmas 

1553 Buy charity gifts  

1554 Give a cow this christmas Read More

1555 Don't put too much on your plate 

1556 Challenge your family to use eco friendly wrapping for Christmas  

1558 Don't flock your tree 

1559 Don't buy trendy trees 

1560 Don't use a Christmas tree this year 

1561 Plant two trees for every one you use at Christmas 

1562 Give fewer, better gifts 

1563 Know where your tree is grown (FSC) Read More

1564 Get the maximum meals out of your leftovers with good planning 

1565 Give Books on green living 

1566 Give a membership to an organic farm or co-op 

1567 Give transit passes for Christmas 

1569 Give Bicycles for Christmas 

1570 Give your photos for Christmas 

1571 Give homemade gifts  and baked goods 

1572 Use branches trimmed from the bottom of trees for decorations 

1573 Limit your fire place use for Christmas 

1574 Make a pallet outdoor Christmas tree Read More

1575 Slow down and breathe during the holidays 

1576 Do a white elephant gift exchange - unused, unwanted but useful things Read More

1577 Do a Yankee swap gift exchange Read More

1578 Replace a burnt out bulb rather than throwing away the whole string 

1683 Give gifts made of  earth-friendly fabrics 

1684 Give gifts made of stainless steel 

1685 Give gifts made of bamboo 

1686 Give gifts that grow 

1687 Understand the true cost of Christmas Read More

1688 Select one of the world's creatures to adopt and follow 

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