It’s easy to get “wrapped up” in our traditional ways of decking the halls, but some decorating traditions, however sentimental, may not be so environmental.
The holidays can be one of the most expensive times of the year; from cooking the perfect dinner to preparing your home for your family. If you’ve recently started a family, it’s best if you look for new ways to make Christmas memories that your children will look forward to every year.
It’s not necessary to celebrate holidays with an expensive menu or extravagant decors, you can impart a sense of joy and wonder with an eco-friendly twist. This holiday season, giving love, peace, and quality time to the people who are closest to us are the true reasons for this season.
Well, following these simple tips will help you save money, enjoy your resources, and feel good about the impact your holiday celebrations will make on the environment.
1. Photo and Card Holder
Make a holder for holiday cards by gluing clothespin to a yard stick or thin stretch of balsa wood. Make sure they are evenly spaced, about 3 inches apart, and wait to dry. Then, spray paint the color of your choice, and clip in your cards. For a little extra holiday flair, top the holder with glitter, rhinestones, or tiny bows. If you want to make it even memorable, you can hang the most outstanding photos of you, your friends and your family.
2. String a smarter light string
Instead of buying more standard holiday lights to replace bad strings (or to try and keep outdoing your neighbor’s massive display), opt for energy-efficient light strings. When they’re made using light-emitting diode bulbs, or LEDs, they’re 90 percent more efficient than traditional holiday lights. LEDs also last longer — up to 10,000 hours compared with 5,000 hours for standard incandescent bulbs.
3. Homemade Wreaths
Not all wreaths require cutting branches off of trees, you can actually make something out from your old dresses and rags making this a great example of a more eco-friendly alternative.
4. Eco-friendly Wrapping Paper
Ditch the rolls of wrapping paper and avoid glossy or metallic gift wrap. Instead, check out fabric gift wrap or these creative gift wrap ideas. Use the greeting cards received last year or any other recycled material to make gift tags. For gift bags that come with tags attached, write “Reuse this bag!” on it instead of the recipient’s name. (Just don’t forget who it goes to.)
5. Make Your Own Greeting Cards
Use the cards you received last year, a child’s artwork or your own craftiness to create new Green Christmas cards. Use recycled paper for holiday letters. Or send a family photo with your greeting handwritten on the back.
Want more eco-friendly tips from Cagayan de Oro’s first and only eco-friendly property? Click here.
For more information, visit www.primaveraresidences.com or www.facebook.com/condoprimavera. You can also call 088-880-5002.
