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]

Post from: Tree Hugging Family

See the trailer:

The basics: Author Colin Beavan, in research for his next book, took on the No Impact Project in November 2006. As a new environmentalist Colin busted onto the scene in a pretty large way – no more automated transportation, no more electricity, no more non-local food, no more material consumption, and so on. However, his wife, Michelle and two-year old daughter are also a part of the picture, so how they cope while being dragged along for the ride is the green that most of us will compare with – having to learn as we go vs. doing it all at once.

I may be attending one of the showings, and if so I’ll be back with a review, but from the looks of the preview, it should pretty much rock. Plus I think this is something a lot of green folks have issues with – i.e. are you greener than your mate, family, friends, and so on.

More info…

No Impact Man blog

No Impact Man book

No Impact Man Facebook page

What do you think of the preview? It looks cool no?

Post from: Tree Hugging Family

Could I be more hypocritical?

Each year at this time I start feeling like I should answer the question above. Last year I posted, If you’re so against having stuff, then why show all these products on this blog? That post basically covered why I’m not a hypocrite. But, it’s always good to recap during the holiday season.

My take on stuff:

Personally, I don’t love having too much more stuff around than I need. It’s a consumer and clutter issue for me.

I do own items that are unnecessary; books, incense, candles, pictures in frames, more than one pair of shoes, but I do try to keep unnecessary item numbers low. For instance, I don’t think you need three kitchen appliances that do the same thing. For me, it’s about items that make you feel at home – i.e art supplies or books, vs. total wants like four TV sets or three bathrooms in a family of two. That’s insane. But overall I’m not against things that make your home feel like home.

Just because I show a product on this blog, does not mean I think you need it. I consider that you might need something at some point, and that then, the post might come in handy. Eventually, you will need a new blanket, coffee cup, or car. Do I hope that when you need a new dishes, baby clothes, a gift, or something, that you’ll choose an environmentally responsible product over a not responsible product. Um, yeah. How do people hear about these products – well, from me here at Tree Hugging Family, from other bloggers, news ads, etc.

Do I hope that you purchase everything I show here? Obviously NO. I know that no one needs all the stuff I show. Why do I show things that are decoration? Well, when it comes right down to it, I do believe that people can have the home they want, decorated and all. I don’t believe in collecting a thousand little knick knacks and other useless items, but some sense of personal style is what makes the world go round. Some records can make your life a little happier, and the right piece of art can brighten everyone’s day. It’s ok, especially when you consciously make smart decisions surrounding most areas of your life.

There you go – this is why I show items you could buy on this, and other blogs. Have stuff all you want. Just make sure that you honestly own stuff for a reason, don’t let your stuff own you.

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

[image via Buy Nothing Day]

Post from: Tree Hugging Family

Many of us are welcoming spring today, so I thought it would be nice to go over some nature loving, tree hugging, eco-friendly ideas that will carry the entire family through the better part of spring and into summer.

1. Quit looking at nature through your frosty windows. It’s warming up, so get out there and enjoy nature in real time, in real life, in full blown color.

2. Throw open your windows wide and let in the fresh air. Natural ventilation is actually a really effective green home goal to aim for. Proper cross ventilation naturally helps to remove any indoor pollution caused by molds, mites, varnishes, paints, cleaners, and more.

3. Have a spring reusable bag sewing party.

4. Use the spring lilacs to create something sweet.

5. Celebrate spring like other cultures do:

• In Egypt, you throw open your windows and breathe deep on the first day of spring. Later have a picnic.
• In Poland a large straw doll is dressed up in old clothes, and then thrown in the river – ok, maybe don’t do that one (not great for fish).
• The festival of colors, or Holi, is a Hindu spring festival, observed in North India and Nepal where children squirt colored water on each other to celebrate.
• What other spring traditions do cultures celebrate? Tell me what you know.

6. See the zoo babies.

7. Try left-over heat cooking for your spring recipes. This means turn the stove top or oven off when food is almost done. Pasta, veggies, rolls, and even meats in the oven will be ok (and fully cooked) if you turn off the heat a few minutes early. Just leave the oven door shut, the pot top on, etc. Imagine how many minutes of energy you will have saved by next spring.

8. Enjoy new blossoms and leaves sprouting to life on the trees.

9. Build a rain barrel to collect spring showers.

10. Rent lawn equipment that you know you will only use occasionally.

11. Alternatively, start a neighborhood co-op of lawn equipment. Purchase together and share major item.

12. Visit a waterfall – this is the best time of year for waterfalls, snow is melting, and the water comes crashing down.

13. Spring clean – just don’t spring clean with chemicals and other icky stuff. Make this year’s spring cleaning actually clean and healthy.

14. Learn which fruits and veggies are in season and eat bunches of them. Buying in season and locally grown is better for the earth, your wallet, and your health.

15. Choose a recycled plastic picnic table.

16. Fold a “springing” froggy out of recycled paper.

17. If your coffee shop of choice serves single serve sugars and creamers, choose a new favorite coffee shop or ask them to get large, bulk containers of cream and sugar.

18. Visit a wetland area – there are still enough wetland areas so that it’s safe to assume that there’s one near you, but there may not be for long. Without conservation we could lose some major wetland areas. I’d visit soon because it’s not clear yet that enough people care to save them. Ask your local visitors center where you can find a wetland area near you.

19. Get some cool spring worthy eco-toys. These new toys from Green Toys are created from curbside recycled milk containers. The actual shop should be open in the spring sometime, but until then you can contact the company directly with purchase inquiries. They have a great Sand Play Set or Organic Gardening Set.

20. Is it still too cold for flowers where you live? Make some colorful recycled tissue paper garlands to add spring to your house. (Use that used holiday tissue that I know you saved). Better yet, make a garland and give it to a neighbor, friend, elderly home, or children’s ward at a hospital.

21. Rejoice in spring flowers.

22. Help your kids to join Journey North.

23. Buy a reclaimed wood garden bench so you can sit outside and read.

24. This season, and each season have your car engine tuned up and serviced. Following a decent tune up schedule will reduce the amount of pollution your car emits by 20%. Better yet you’ll save on fuel – good for the earth and wallet.

25. Hunt for birds nests – don’t touch though, just look.

26. Build your own compost bin for recycling spring garden and kitchen scraps.

27. Visit a rural farm. Notice how a farm in spring differs from where you live. Unless of course you do live on a farm – then visit a city park and observe the same differences.

28. Go ahead, green your entire Easter celebration.

29. Or at least make your own recycled magazine Easter baskets.

30. If you go on a green picnic this spring make sure six packs with plastic rings aren’t on the menu. One, the plastic rings when not cut can kill birds, fish, and other wildlife. Two, plastic won’t degrade until well after your great grandchildren are celebrating their springs. And three, there’s no need to have them. Many canned drink products now come in boxes instead of with rings. If you’re buying canned drinks, get those instead.

31. Get some eco-friendly rain gear for the whole family so you can go splash in spring puddles.

32. Get your spring garden seeds organized using recycled milk cartons.

33. Rent a greener car on your spring break vacation.

34. Don’t defrost the Easter Ham in the microwave. Microwave defrosting wastes more energy than planning ahead and defrosting in the fridge.

35. Go searching for the end of a rainbow.

36. You still have time for a spring garden clean up.

37. This year combine your spring cleaning with some green audits: Try green auditing your trash, bathroom, or your pantry.

38. Get in the habit of nighttime watering now. Watering your lawn and garden is much more efficient at night than in the daytime. In the cool of evening plants lose almost 50% less water than in the heat. That adds up to a ton of water saved each year. Of course you can double your water saving efforts by using your saved rainwater.

39. On each of your spring outings pick up one piece of trash. If everyone did this that would be over 300 million fewer pieces of litter on our streets, in our parks, and so on, daily.

40. Relax… think about simplifying your life and time.

41. As summer gets closer consider organizing a summer toy lending program with other families – this cuts down on consumption, teaches kids about sharing, and uses fewer resources and energy. Get ideas for your lending program here.

42. Now that it’s warming up, turn your heating down by 5 more degrees. Each 5 degree decrease saves up to 11% energy consumption a year.

43. If you go camping, leave nothing behind in nature. Pack up all your belongings and carry them out of the forest with you.

44. Get up close and personal with some fresh grass – ponder a single blade. Think about all the good reasons why you shouldn’t add chemical poisonous fertilizer to your grass this year

45. Get that recycling under control.

46. Learn to love slow mail – the quicker you send your mail or ask for packages to be delivered to you, the worse it is for the planet. Transportation is hugely connected to pollution and global warming. The more transport we require the worse it is. Quit with the two day mail services. You don’t need stuff right away, and if you know you will, plan accordingly.

47. Try out one of 10 great organic gardening projects for kids this spring.

48. See how many toads you can count at the local river or lake. Can you find tadpoles too?

49. If you take out an off-road vehicle this spring, stick to where you should be. Running over habitats is not cool – you could destroy an animal’s home, kill rare plants, and harm tree roots. Stick to wide trails that are deemed ok for off-road travel.

50. Get away from it all. Imagine what life would be like away from all the hustle and bustle most of the time.

51. Blow bubbles! Make some homemade bubble mix out of a tablespoon of glycerin, a cup of natural liquid soap, and a gallon of water (give or take). Make your own bubble wands out of recycled items like…

• Butter or yogurt tub tops with holes punched in them.
• Green plastic strawberry containers.
• Bent wire hangers.
• That fly swatter you never use.
• Pipe cleaners bent into fun shapes.

52. Hang out with a family of ducks.

53. Dare your family to take at least 5 small steps for the environment by summer.

54. Go on a wildflower hike.

55. Clean out your closets – give good clothing away to the thrift store, make cleaning rags out of the worst, and save the cherished pieces for a memory quilt.

56. Make sure your family participates in eco-friendly boating (if you boat).

57. Slap a fresh coat of paint on the house – non-toxic, VOC-free paint of course.

58. When spring cleaning, don’t forget the car. However, use a bucket of water and an old rag to scrub away dirt, not the power spray on the hose. Every minute you run the hose you’re wasting 10 (or more) gallons of water. There are people in other countries who can’t even find one decent glass of water to drink, and animals and fish who have lost whole water habitats due to water waste. There’s no excuse for excessive water waste.

59. Go bicycling as a family – double your efforts by actually having an errand destination; the grocery store, library, the park for lunch. Every time you don’t take your car, you’re doing the earth some good.

60. Plant a tree – it’s almost always a good time to plant a tree, but spring is really nice because a new tree’s roots won’t be shocked by the cold anytime soon.

Post from: Tree Hugging Family

Raising Green Kids In A Commercial Culture

Commercials Are Everywhere

Eco-friendly Ways to Reward Kids

I know many families with homes beyond their needs. Not always necessarily above their needs but absolutely beyond. I’ve known couple friends (no kids yet) who buy homes with six bedrooms and four baths, who have three cars, and all the new gadgets you could want. One such couple I know will really lay into you if you’re not up on all the best new golf gear and redecorating yearly in order to get a fresh home.

I know people with kids who work two and three jobs. In some of these families, I know for a fact that one of the parents would rather be home with the kids, but they’ll say they can’t afford it. When I bring up the things they could drop in order to afford it; the extra car, the extra cable, the extra gardening equipment no one has time to use, the extra guest rooms and dinners out, they say that’s just normal stuff , that they can’t afford to stay home and we cycle argue over it.

These are families where kids are in before school care, after school care, and weekend activities. There’s a bare minimum of family time, no environmental family activities happening, and this isn’t because the family needs to work that extra job to put food on the table, it’s because they’re paying for extra stuff.

Are all families I know like this? No, I do know some families who make less, who have to work two jobs to afford necessities, but in many cases, I see families who could drop the stuff, and add more time. It’s a matter of priorities.

With all the commercialism and the drive to get more, more, more, out there, our kids are going to look to us as parents first and foremost when making decisions about the importance of stuff. I guarantee that if you’re already putting stuff ahead of time with your kids, they’re not going to understand why they shouldn’t want the extra gear and gadgets.

My first suggestion:

As eluded to above, the first and most important step in dealing with kids and commercialism is to make sure your own need for stuff is in check. If you don’t understand the impact buying stuff has on your life, the environment, and your family, you need to, or your arguments against stuff with your kids won’t go very far.

If you haven’t considered how stuff controls your life – how it zaps your time, I suggest you check out one or both of the following books from your local library:

Your Money or Your Life: This book is all about transforming your relationship with money, stuff, and time. It covers how all three interconnect, and pushes for a more authentic, more people based, less materialistic life. Not only does this book discuss the issue, but it gives you real, solid tools for making change.

The Circle of Simplicity: This book has a financial component but is extra heavy on the behind the scenes need for stuff. How to get rid of it, how to buy less, finding and living your passion, forming community groups that focus on togetherness, and clearing space, both in your mind and literally.

Since this is the most important step, we’ll leave it at this for now. In the next post, I’ll discuss how I actually talk to Cedar about stuff, and what I’ve seen work for me and other families.

In case you think I’m being unreasonable:

By the way, commercialism has been embedded in our skulls since birth in this country. I’m absolutely not trying to imply that I’m perfect and that other families are screwing up. It’s a process around my house too. I never thought, I mean really thought about the impact of stuff until maybe 10 years ago, and now, even for me, it can be hard to resist stuff at times (darn those old LPs and art supplies).

It’s about balance. I don’t believe in giving up everything we enjoy. Cedar and I own stuff, but we also don’t put stuff before our time together. If we did, there’s no way as a single mama, that I could afford to be at home with him, spending time with him. Additionally, some of our decisions around stuff have to do with the environment. Even if we can afford something, it’s important to note that it doesn’t mean we need, or even deeply want, that something. There are some choices we need to make if we care about the earth. Cedar and I make choices just like everyone else.

What choices are you currently making related to stuff? Are you happy with your choices? Or, do you wish your choices could be different?

Post from: Tree Hugging Family