Just a friendly reminder, when searching for Holiday decorations and gifts for family and friends, to shop FIRST at our local “second-hand” and “gently used” stores! You will be astonished by the quality and variety of items they provide. Most significantly, it is important to reduce your impact on natural resources and energy use, and this is one good way to do so.  Check out http://www.greensolutionsmag.com/back_issues/GSM-Jan09/hs.html

Another way is to make sure that you reduce the time your electric decorations are on (use timers!), and, as they are replaced, that you find LED decorations to reduce energy consumption.

And make every effort to find alternative ways to “wrap” your gifts – at a minimum find recycled paper and avoid using paper with metallic finishes – they are NOT recyclable. Even better try not to use paper at all. Make the gift the “wrap” or use a scarf or kerchief. Have fun being creative — use the Sunday comics or use your children’s school artwork.

Make your holidays Earth-friendly!