Facts:

I personally was raised with Christmas – trees, cookies, gifts, the whole darn deal. I liked it and as a kid thought it was mostly fun, but I never loved how hectic it was, and by the time I was in my early 20s I was sick of the whole planning perfect gifts mess.

By the time my son Cedar was born, his dad and I wanted to do something for the winter holiday season, but we couldn’t quite place what that was.

Since Cedar was born we’ve had years with Christmas trees and years without and even years with living trees. Years with big stressful get-togethers and years where we’d just chill with friends. We’ve had MANY years of trying to balance gift giving because we like the less is more idea, but just try getting people on board – it sucks. You say, please do not get me anything, and people just won’t listen.

What’s hard is finding a balance. You could be green by avoiding the winter holiday season altogether but that’s extreme and doesn’t really build any sort of tradition for kids. You could say screw green and have a big ol’ celebration with lots of bling – the other extreme. OR you can find balance. It’s finding a balance that everyone will agree with that’s hard because it’s not just your little household; it’s extended family, friends, co-workers, and more.

This year, I seriously want to make a change. I’ve managed to green up many areas of my life, but finding the perfect (or a good) green Christmas is one area where I could use some help. In a perfect world… we’d find some traditions to keep like organic cookie making day or giving gifts that are all green and homemade and personalized, and ditch the holiday traditions that aren’t working so well – i.e. extended family not listening when we say JUST ONE GIFT! Or maybe deciding to skip the Christmas tree forever.

In order to sort out my own family’s idea of the perfect holiday and to help readers along, I thought we’d get started early this year. It can take some time to plan a fun, meaningful, and still green winter holiday season. To get you (and me) going, following are some useful resources that can help anyone start planning a greener, more meaningful holiday season.

Two useful sites:

• Buy Nothing Christmas – an excellent kick off point. If you want to start practicing early you can ditch Black Friday and join up with Buy Nothing Day.
• The Simple Living Network

Two cool books:

• Green Christmas
• Celebrate Green

I’ve got some more resources coming up as well as some tips for a green and meaningful holiday season. For now you tell me – what are your plans this year for a greener holiday season?

[image via stock.xchng]

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Here’s the break-down, with links if possible so that you can learn more about these topics…

• 3% of you planned to serve organic meals
• 10% of you bought fewer gifts
• 3% of you made recycled decor
• 3% of you skipped the X-mas tree
• 10% of you made homemade gifts
• 1% of you of all vote sent e-cards
• 3% of you are recycling your gift wrap
• 1% of you are using reusable bags instead of gift wrap for gifts
• 6% of you said you’d be trying everything listed to stay green
• 23% of you were going to try most of the things listed.
• 38% of you were going to do at least two green holiday

No one said that they would:

• Use eco-decorations
• Give green gifts
• Send organic flowers

Those three above are the most expensive green holiday tips, so this might be why no one voted on them. Although, if you made homemade gifts, that’s green.

Now how did you do in the long-run? Was your holiday as green as you hoped? Are there things you regret doing? Or on a more positive note, things you’re proud you did this holiday season?

New poll up soon!

[image via stock.xchng]

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Sunflower – Espresso Cap Sleeve Baby Doll or Owl – Chocolate Cap Sleeve Baby Doll – I couldn’t decide…

Daffodil – Eco Hoodie

All are hand screened, made with organic cotton, and are totally cute. Plenty of colors too – I just like these shades. These would make a great eco gift for a teen girl, or someone older (like me!) B Hive Designs carries men, women, and kids clothing, jewelry, and the cutest cards.

$36 – $52 – Organic women’s clothing

+ B Hive Designs

November current events at Tree Hugging Family – themes, reviews, news, and more…

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Zoom to the Moon is a great eco-friendly, inexpensive holiday gift for the littles. The set comes with everything you see above and each space happy figure is made of sustainable rubber wood.

$27.00 Zoom to the Moon

+ Modern Tots

November current events at Tree Hugging Family – themes, reviews, news, and more…

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I’ve got a new green holiday poll up. Check it out in the sidebar to your right – about halfway down the page.

I offered some basic choices for greening your holiday season, but of course I never think of everything. This is where you come in; leave an idea of your own, if you have one, so that everyone stopping by can learn even more ways to green their holiday.

I’m planning on leaving this poll up throughout November and December, so by New Year’s we should have oodles of great green holiday ideas.

Go ahead and vote! 

November current events at Tree Hugging Family – themes, reviews, news, and more…

[image via stock.xchng]

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Today we’re featuring a very cool (and unique) blog; All Holiday Cafe. If you haven’t been by this blog – you really need to visit. Blogger Sandy is over there serving up holidays on a daily basis. She covers all the basics, Halloween, Christmas, and so on, but also lets you know when it’s time for some obscure holidays like, Qing Ming, Valkyries Day, and more.

In honor of Earth Day Sandy has put together a very cool post about how to wrap up all those holiday gifts, without putting quite as large a toll on our planet. A must read if you ever give gifts (And I know you do).

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Here’s where to go for supplies:

Local natural food stores: Personally I’m a fan of Wild Oats and local co-ops but seeing as how Whole Foods bought out Wild Oats recently and also noting that not everyone has a co-op close by I will say that Whole Foods is a good option when you’re in a gift pinch. Other quickie options that may work includes your local grocery store. Stores vary from place to place but what’s the same is that most grocery stores nowadays have jumped on the eco-train. Most have at least a small natural food section.

The drug store: These types of stores also vary from town to town too but it’s likely that you have some sort of drug store near by.

The mall & other department stores: Yikes. I made the mistake of going to the mall once the day before Christmas. NEVER again. You can find green stores and products at these places but I highly recommend NOT trying this option and sticking with the above others, which may be crazy busy too; but not quite as bad. That said these gifts won’t be focused on malls or department stores.

What to do:

Grab a basket or gift bag (recycled of course) and fill with items to create the following:

Gift for relaxation: Natural loofas, candles, soaps, incense, organic essential oils, organic teas, and a CD of nature sounds are items you might want to include in a peaceful gift basket.

Gift for people who love food: Grab some organic pasta sauce, whole grain noodles, jarred garlic spread, organic crackers, nuts, jams, cookies, and more to create a basket of yummy items for a foodie. Throw in a natural food magazine and you’re good to go. Some people won’t try organic because they think it’s too expensive so this is a nice treat. This can also be a good introduction gift to organics.

Gift for the kiddos: Organic fruit leathers, animal crackers, and juice boxes are less fun than a train set sure; but I find that most kids love these types of treats if they don’t have them all the time. We don’t do drink boxes so my son is way excited when he gets a rare one. Make sure packaging is recyclable. Some co-ops and Whole Foods even have toys now.

Gift for babes: Organic baby crackers, biodegradable diapers, gourmet organic baby foods and awesome collections of organic baby bath care products are all available at a store near you.

Gift for beauty: There are so many natural beauty items that this is an easy gift basket. There are organic soaps, perfumes, essential oils, scrubs, and fun items like all natural masks at most drug stores and co-ops nowadays. You can focus on one part of the body like face or feet or try a whole body pampering gift.

The intro the green cleaning gift: Ok, now I know some of us don’t want cleaning supplies for Christmas; I however, would love this. Organic cleaning products like laundry detergent is expensive; but I prefer it, so I would not mind someone giving me some. I can use it so it makes more sense than a knick knack. In any case one nice thing about natural and organic cleaning products is that they tend to be packaged nicely. This gift will look good in a basket. Try a natural sponge, lavender organic dish soap, all natural air freshener, and whatever else catches your fancy. Tied up in a nice basket it’ll look good.

Other green finds that make good gift ideas from these local shops may include; flowers, candy, fresh organic fruit (put that in a basket), and wine. You can also buy gift baskets at places like Whole Foods — but making one is more fun and usually costs less.

Here’s the key point. When it’s last minute it’s easy to rush out and buy whatever; but you don’t need to buy over-packaged and chemical laden gifts. Even if all you’ve got is a couple of hours you can still create a beautiful, useful, and healthier gift.

One last note: If you don’t have any baskets in good condition laying around hit the grocery stores first and then stop off at the thrift store for baskets. You can also find thrift store ribbon and greenery; like fabric flowers to liven up your basket.

I hadn’t thought of this before; but see that gift bag to the side. That’s from a Whole Foods store — and what a great idea. You can use a reusable shopping bag instead of a basket. You can get these bags at the stores and fill them up. Such a good idea because it’s two great gifts in one.

I hope this helped out the people lurking in wait… hoping that the holiday gifts will magically come to you. I wish that too; but it’s not gonna happen. These baskets are an easy way to play catch up and come off looking like the best gift planner on the planet. What people don’t know won’t hurt them.

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Eco Express has many quick earth-friendly gift ideas. Like…

Organic Gingerbread Men or Organic Iced Holiday Cookies

3 Herb Organic Wreath — unless you live in Oregon or Canada. For some reason they won’t ship this there.

Lastly, there’s this really cool gecko puzzle — made in Sri Lanka out of rubber trees and painted with non-toxic colors.

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