A Very Happy & Green Hanukkah

I hope all our families who celebrate Hanukkah had a wonderful first night.

There’s been a bit of controversy surrounding the greening of Hanukkah this year; with a couple groups of Israeli environmentalists encouraging people celebrating to light at least one less candle this Hanukkah to help the environment. Not celebrating Hanukkah myself I don’t feel completely comfortable giving my two cents but my overall feeling based what I know from friends who celebrate is that lighting one less candle is a break in tradition that may be unnecessary.

It’s true that candle do let off carbon dioxide but where’s the line between a celebration that feels right vs. doing good for the planet? Friends I’ve had who do celebrate Hanukkah place much significant on the light of this holiday. Personally, I agree with this post from Spare Change noting why not bring on the light. In fact as Spare Change asks, why not encourage “People to observe the sabbath and avoid driving and using electricity one day a week?” True. Or what about buying less or volunteering at some point during the year. Or how about one of the other hundreds of ways someone can go green.

Here’s the deal. I do celebrate Christmas. Yesterday we decorated the tree. We’ve had the darn tree lights burning all yesterday and when I woke up today, Cedar had turned them on during the night and was sleeping by the tree. Not so green. BUT we are using LED lights and this is not something we do all year. In fact most of the year my son is crazy about turning lights off — better than I am in fact because he’s been raised this way from birth. I would guess our tree which make Cedar insanely happy is a small mark on the environment, especially when you consider how we normally try to live green.

I like some of the following idea from the Daily Green better than I like dismissing the light… and tradition.

Repurposed pipe stock available at Notshlock.

Recycled gifts:

See the Daily Green’s entire list for greening Hanukkah.

Since, as noted I don’t celebrate Hanukkah, this is the most opinion I feel comfortable giving on the topic. If you and your family do celebrate I’d love to hear how you’re having an eco-friendly holiday — and if you agree with holding back on candle lighting.

However you celebrate this season I hope it’s in a way that’s significant for your family. That’s the most important issue — or else why celebrate at all?