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As we’re all relaxing on the day after Thanksgiving, enjoying memories of family and friends and basking in the glow of eating too much delicious food, it’s a good time to reflect on how to have greener and more sustainable festivities. Ecocycle has 10 easy tips to “Go Green this Holiday Season.”
This green holiday guide is especially helpful, for I had never thought of the impact of my colorful wrapping paper. According to Ecocycle, traditional wrapping paper has “high-clay and low-paper content,” which “makes it difficult to recycle.” To avoid merely throwing the wrapping paper away, try a creative alternative by using “comics, posters, maps, blueprints, calendars, fabric, reusable paper or cloth gift bags, bandanas, etc.” We all want our presents to stand out right? Why not make a green statement with how we wrap them!
Ecocycle also advises us all to “Go for Eco-Deco.” Instead of decorating for parties with disposable balloons or streamers, decorate with locally grown flowers or other natural materials. If you need ideas, check out the “Holiday Greenery” or “Your Winter Holiday Table” course at Duke Gardens to learn how to make wreaths, centerpieces, and other decorations from many materials that can be found in your own backyard.
Just because it’s winter, doesn’t mean many of the local Farmers Markets are closed for the season. The Durham Farmers’ Market, the Chatham Mills Farmers’ Market, and others have year round hours and are the perfect places to stop in to buy food for holiday meals, but also locally crafted Christmas presents, like photo cards and posters, soaps, clothing, and accessories. Craft fairs are another great place to support your local artists and craftsmen and women this season. The Durham Craft Market is holding their annual Holiday Show on Saturday, December 7th, and the ArtsCenter in Carborro is hosting its 7th annual Elf Fair, also on December 7th, which will feature local artists, food, and even crafts for kids, just to name a few.
We hope you enjoy these tips to have a greener and more sustainable holiday season this year, and Happy Holidays from the Triangle Land Conservancy! Have more ideas for a green holiday? Let us know on our Facebook page!
