Day 12: Let Your Heart Be Light
The day we have been anticipating for the past month and a half has finally arrived, and I hope that you and yours are cozy and well-fed, enjoying some holiday cheer and relaxing.
My final thought about Greening up your holdiay season is to remember that less is always more. If you keep this mantra in the back of your mind, it will become easier and easier to follow. There are many approaches to celebrating the holidays without over-indulging. Eat less, use less, buy less.
You will feel healthier, more relaxed, and hopefully happier as you share the season with people you love, and prepare for the new year.
Showing posts with label Holidays and Family Time. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Holidays and Family Time. Show all posts
December 25, 2012
December 24, 2012
Sharing Christmas
Day 11: It's Such a Wonderful Time
If you have a need for something specific around the holidays, it is not always necessary to buy a brand new one for yourself. Especially items that are not practical for regular use. Ask a friend or neighbor who might have what you are looking for, and chances are pretty good they will be happy to lend it to you!
For example, if you are entertaining and need a coffee pot larger than what you have, ask a friend who might be attending if you could use thiers - it's likely they will not need it that night anyway. If you need an air mattress for guests crashing in your spare room, ask somebody you know will be traveling for the holidays if they have any solutions you could borrow.
In the same light, if you know of somebody in need of an item you have that you could live without for a few days, offer it to them. There is so much STUFF in this world, it's not possible that we will all use everything we have. To simplify your holiday celebrations, stay open to sharing - both giving and receiving.
If you have a need for something specific around the holidays, it is not always necessary to buy a brand new one for yourself. Especially items that are not practical for regular use. Ask a friend or neighbor who might have what you are looking for, and chances are pretty good they will be happy to lend it to you!
For example, if you are entertaining and need a coffee pot larger than what you have, ask a friend who might be attending if you could use thiers - it's likely they will not need it that night anyway. If you need an air mattress for guests crashing in your spare room, ask somebody you know will be traveling for the holidays if they have any solutions you could borrow.
In the same light, if you know of somebody in need of an item you have that you could live without for a few days, offer it to them. There is so much STUFF in this world, it's not possible that we will all use everything we have. To simplify your holiday celebrations, stay open to sharing - both giving and receiving.
December 23, 2012
For Santa's Clientele
Day 10: Making Sure that Everyone has Toys on Christmas Day
As you shop for gifts for your family, friends and colleagues, keep in mind where gifts you purchase come from, and all of the resources involved in creating the product and presenting it to your receiver. These days there are eco-friendly categories of every product. If you can, take the extra time to explore options to buy something locally, and save the carbon involved in transporting something across the country, or even overseas. Consider the packaging involved, and avoid cellophane and plastic wrap wherever you can. Make it a point to support Fair Trade vendors who apply and promote sustainable practices.
Throughout this process, you should also consider what the receiver will truly do with your gift. Will they really use it? Explore experiential gifts, like tickets to a show or event, edible gifts, or packages that will allow them to enjoy something routine more than usual, like a luxurious collection of shower and bath treats. Get creative with the joy you spread, and people will appreciate your extra thoughtfulness!
As you shop for gifts for your family, friends and colleagues, keep in mind where gifts you purchase come from, and all of the resources involved in creating the product and presenting it to your receiver. These days there are eco-friendly categories of every product. If you can, take the extra time to explore options to buy something locally, and save the carbon involved in transporting something across the country, or even overseas. Consider the packaging involved, and avoid cellophane and plastic wrap wherever you can. Make it a point to support Fair Trade vendors who apply and promote sustainable practices.
Throughout this process, you should also consider what the receiver will truly do with your gift. Will they really use it? Explore experiential gifts, like tickets to a show or event, edible gifts, or packages that will allow them to enjoy something routine more than usual, like a luxurious collection of shower and bath treats. Get creative with the joy you spread, and people will appreciate your extra thoughtfulness!
December 22, 2012
What Christmas Means to Me
Day 9: All These Things & More
Tired of the obligation to spend money on stuff that other people might or might not enjoy or appreciate? Instead of continuing to expand your carbon footprint, think about ditching the consumer-driven commercial expectations placed on Christmas, and focus on making time to enjoy traditional relationship-focused holiday celebrations.
Host a dinner party or cocktail mixer for family friends, and provide valuable time to catch up and reconnect. Set up a holiday-themed game night for your family with intangible prizes, like being able to select the menu for Christmas breakfast or getting to open their stocking first. Do something traditional to get into the spirit, like caroling door-to-door in your neighborhood or reading classic Christmas stories out loud.
Another concept that is becoming more and more popular is to host events that support a cause, like a food-drive or a local charity. In addition to raising awareness within your community, it provides friends and family with the opportunity to contribute to something truly meaningful as they share your celebration.
The season is about rekindling relationships with people who matter the most to us, and sharing our blessings with less fortunate. Making time for people to share that can be just as fulfilling as watching them open a new game or set of pajamas.
Tired of the obligation to spend money on stuff that other people might or might not enjoy or appreciate? Instead of continuing to expand your carbon footprint, think about ditching the consumer-driven commercial expectations placed on Christmas, and focus on making time to enjoy traditional relationship-focused holiday celebrations.
Host a dinner party or cocktail mixer for family friends, and provide valuable time to catch up and reconnect. Set up a holiday-themed game night for your family with intangible prizes, like being able to select the menu for Christmas breakfast or getting to open their stocking first. Do something traditional to get into the spirit, like caroling door-to-door in your neighborhood or reading classic Christmas stories out loud.
Another concept that is becoming more and more popular is to host events that support a cause, like a food-drive or a local charity. In addition to raising awareness within your community, it provides friends and family with the opportunity to contribute to something truly meaningful as they share your celebration.
The season is about rekindling relationships with people who matter the most to us, and sharing our blessings with less fortunate. Making time for people to share that can be just as fulfilling as watching them open a new game or set of pajamas.
December 21, 2012
Filled With Your Favorite Things
Day 8: Sending a Little Christmas
Exchanging gifts with friends and family across the country means that there are lots of packages being shipped and delivered each day. In this internet age, shopping online has many advantages over shopping in a brick-and-mortar retail environment. You can make online purchases 24 hours a day, and you save all the time spent driving to, parking and browsing in a store. Not to mention the benefits of avoiding the crowds out and about during December. Shopping online also allows you to quickly compare items, and select the best product for your needs at the best price.
However, shopping online only increases the amount of packages - and packaging - used to deliver purchases and gifts. If you are buying a gift to give to somebody, consider having the item shipped directly to them instead of adding the shipment to your house first. Any retail organization worth its salt will have optional gift wrapping and messaging available for you to take advantage of, and save yourself additional time and money.
When you open packages at home, don't discard the paper, bubble wrap, and insulation used to pad and protect your products. Save it for the next box you put together to ship out. Throughout the year I am constantly searching for a good box to use and appropriate packing material when I need to send something. This season provides a cache of cardboard boxes to save and access as needed, instead of recycling everything now and purchasing more materials throughout the year.
There are lots of ways to re-use packaging materials to save resources.
However, shopping online only increases the amount of packages - and packaging - used to deliver purchases and gifts. If you are buying a gift to give to somebody, consider having the item shipped directly to them instead of adding the shipment to your house first. Any retail organization worth its salt will have optional gift wrapping and messaging available for you to take advantage of, and save yourself additional time and money.
When you open packages at home, don't discard the paper, bubble wrap, and insulation used to pad and protect your products. Save it for the next box you put together to ship out. Throughout the year I am constantly searching for a good box to use and appropriate packing material when I need to send something. This season provides a cache of cardboard boxes to save and access as needed, instead of recycling everything now and purchasing more materials throughout the year.
There are lots of ways to re-use packaging materials to save resources.
December 19, 2012
Absolutely Impossible to Resist
Day 6: Some Disappear to Who Knows Where
Bake treats from scratch, instead of purchasing mass-produced preservative-laden snacks. In addition to the traditional tins of cookies and fudge, put together breakfast baskets with jams, muffin mix, and teas and coffees. Make up mason jars of home made hot chocolate mix. Share goodies that your loved ones will truly enjoy! These items seem much more thoughtful and personal than the boxes stacked near the checkout line at the grocery store.
This also provides an opportunity to get creative with the containers you use to share them with friends and family. Avoid packaging that will be thrown away, and use tins that can be re-used, or gift seal-able containers that the receiver can use year-round.
Bake treats from scratch, instead of purchasing mass-produced preservative-laden snacks. In addition to the traditional tins of cookies and fudge, put together breakfast baskets with jams, muffin mix, and teas and coffees. Make up mason jars of home made hot chocolate mix. Share goodies that your loved ones will truly enjoy! These items seem much more thoughtful and personal than the boxes stacked near the checkout line at the grocery store.
This also provides an opportunity to get creative with the containers you use to share them with friends and family. Avoid packaging that will be thrown away, and use tins that can be re-used, or gift seal-able containers that the receiver can use year-round.
December 18, 2012
In A New Old Fashioned Way
Day 5: Later We'll Have Some Pumpkin Pie
Instead of using plastic or Styrofoam during holiday cocktail parties and dinner gatherings, use real dishes, glassware, napkins and utensils. Yes, it adds to the cleanup effort, but think about how many resources go into that one use for each disposable item. Purchasing holiday-themed products also adds up, so you will also be saving money.
For kids and anybody you don't trust with your wine glasses, use paper-based plates and napkins, and corn-based cups and utensils that can be composted. These have become common enough in my corners of the world that it's not difficult to find, if you know what you are looking for. This also goes if you are serving 16, but only have service for 10 or 12 - the more the merrier, as you pass around coffee and pie!
Instead of using plastic or Styrofoam during holiday cocktail parties and dinner gatherings, use real dishes, glassware, napkins and utensils. Yes, it adds to the cleanup effort, but think about how many resources go into that one use for each disposable item. Purchasing holiday-themed products also adds up, so you will also be saving money.
For kids and anybody you don't trust with your wine glasses, use paper-based plates and napkins, and corn-based cups and utensils that can be composted. These have become common enough in my corners of the world that it's not difficult to find, if you know what you are looking for. This also goes if you are serving 16, but only have service for 10 or 12 - the more the merrier, as you pass around coffee and pie!
December 25, 2011
Christmas Quotes of the Day
#5: "More than sometimes I feel like we should live in an HBO show."
#4: "It's the chimley, what would you call it?"
"A chimney."
"That's what I said, the chimley."
#3: "Last night I had my phone in one pocket, my camera in the other, and my wine opener in my back pocket."
"They should make a belt for all that!"
#2: *ring ring* "Hello... Merry Christmas to you too... Oh, we're just sitting here fighting with each other."
#1: "Don't mess with him, he went to the hard school of knocks."
Merry Christmas!
#4: "It's the chimley, what would you call it?"
"A chimney."
"That's what I said, the chimley."
#3: "Last night I had my phone in one pocket, my camera in the other, and my wine opener in my back pocket."
"They should make a belt for all that!"
#2: *ring ring* "Hello... Merry Christmas to you too... Oh, we're just sitting here fighting with each other."
#1: "Don't mess with him, he went to the hard school of knocks."
Merry Christmas!
December 24, 2011
Christmas Eve Quotes of the Day
#3: "Ooooooh, you got some coconut boobs!"
#2: "She's a hillbilly, but she's a smart hillbilly."
#1: (grown daughter to dad)"Why do you always make me do things I don't want to do?"
(step-mom to daughter) "I'm always saying that to him!"
Hope Santa brings you something that makes you smile:)
#2: "She's a hillbilly, but she's a smart hillbilly."
#1: (grown daughter to dad)"Why do you always make me do things I don't want to do?"
(step-mom to daughter) "I'm always saying that to him!"
Hope Santa brings you something that makes you smile:)
December 23, 2011
Quotes of the day
Part posterity and part mutual amusement, here are the best lines overheard today from our family to yours:
#3: "It's Christmas, don't start any shit."
#2: "My kids got three different daddy's, but at least they're spread out. I got friends with kids 1, 2, and 3 or 4, with all different dads."
#1: "I don't know you very well, but Merry Christmas anyway."
Cheers!
#3: "It's Christmas, don't start any shit."
#2: "My kids got three different daddy's, but at least they're spread out. I got friends with kids 1, 2, and 3 or 4, with all different dads."
#1: "I don't know you very well, but Merry Christmas anyway."
Cheers!
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