A Symbol of Goodwill and Love

Over the past few years I have integrated several habits into my holiday traditions in attempts to reduce some of the waste and excess that is inherent to celebrations this time of year. I know that traditionally the 12 Days of Christmas begins on Christmas Day and is celebrated through Epiphany, but this year I want to share with you some of the ways that I have tried to make my Christmases a little more Green.

On the first day: O Tannenbaum!

One of the most iconic elements of Christmas for me is a decorated tree that becomes the focal point of the living room. Decorating it has always been a special occasion, for several reasons. First of all, it is something that happens at the beginning of the season, in preparation for all of the celebrating. In addition to kicking off my seasonal decorating blitz(usually accompanied by breaking out the Christmas CD's), it also involves unwrapping the lovely collection of ornaments I have amassed, which includes one Mom helped us pick out every year of our childhood. Each one has a memory associated with it, and hanging them all together creates a splendid, shimmering Christmas tradition.

Most of my life we have picked out a cut tree from a lot, varying in size from trees short enough we could top it ourselves to a gorgeous 14-ft tree Dad had to dangle over the halfwall of the second story to top with the star. I love the fresh pine smell, the character each branch has, and the challenge of evenly spacing the lights and ornaments. However, I am not a fan of the need to vacuum little needles on a daily basis, the water that needs to be constantly maintained, or the sad disposal of the tree at the end of the month.

When we got married and began to alternate Christmases with both families, it meant we would be out of town for several days over Christmas every other year. We decided to use a synthetic tree on the years we wouldn't be celebrating at home. Then we adopted Bosco, which complicated the water issue even further(not to mention my coveted popcorn garlands!), and each time we contemplated buying a fresh tree for the season I have been more and more consumed by a feeling of guilt about cutting down a perfectly good conifer to abide in my home for a month. It seems sacrificial to end all of the years that have been put into that tree just for a short period of indulgent enjoyment. Needless to say, we have been erecting our (pre-lit!)artificial tree for the past several years, which has saved time, money, trees, and quite a bit of mess. It's not quite the same, and is made out of non-renewable petroleum resources, but I know that it's a more sustainable long-term solution for us.

In addition to artificial trees, it is becoming a more available option to purchase a living Christmas tree. This means you get to enjoy a live tree(potted, with roots and soil) that you can plant after its stint decorating your house. This option is significantly more expensive and takes some very intentional preparation, but the investment supports a local nursery or farm, and provides a significant contribution to your landscaping after the holidays are over. When we have a yard where we could plant and nurture a live pine tree, I fully intend to pursue this option.

If you do have a cut tree this year, check out your municipal resources for composting or chipping the tree into mulch. Many cities and towns offer a day in January when trees can be collected from your curb for free and used in local landscaping projects. But please consider these alternatives to buying a cheap cut tree from a big-box lot. It will support your environment and add some local Green to your holiday and beyond.