How do you balance the economy, gift giving and the environment? It's a task, we're learning as we go, but here's some ideas that you can toss around under your floppy, felt, red Santa Cap.
We're almost all tempted to go shopping for new ornaments and stockings every year, but there are ways to create a new look without shopping for new decor.
Reuse your decor - many of us do this anyway, at least with some of our ornaments for sentiment sake and/or economy - but this year appreciate what you are doing because it is good for the environment.
* Buy craft paint and change the color of some of your ornaments.
* Try using a string of white lights instead of multi-colored.
* Wrap those candle holders in some festive ribbon.
* Personalize some of your ornaments with monograms. This was actually shown on HGTV’s 24-Hour Design recently. If you have plain glass bulb ornaments that are either white or transparent, get a couple of small bottles of non-toxic craft paint in a variety of colors from your nearest craft store. Take the cap off the top, and squeeze a few drops of 2 colors inside the bulb. Use your finger to cover the opening and shake the bulb until the colors mix and cover the inside of the entire bulb. You have a “new” ornament, and a great, simple craft project.
Make your own decor - Your kitchen and back yard are great places to start when you want to make your own ornaments. String popcorn (unsalted and with no butter) to create a festive, natural garland. Collect fallen pine cones and decorate them with paint and other items.
Stick with sustainable or Fair Trade products - If you are going to buy new holiday decor, try to stick with ornaments made of recycled, natural and sustainable materials. Recycled glass ornaments are easy to come by if you take the time to look at the packaging. There are also ornaments made of recycled cardboard or metals, organic cotton, bamboo, reclaimed wood, and more. Here are some options:
Shown in the photograph above, a clever star burst design incorporates recycled copper wire and tiny gold balls and is fashioned into a multi-rayed astral delight. The Hunger Site will fund 25.0 cups of food for each of these Handmade Copper Wire Star Ornament purchased.
Cute cute cute, these eco friendly ornaments are from Amenity Modern Organic Living. They're printed by hand with non-toxic, water-based, eco friendly inks on a premium fabric made from hemp and blended with organic cotton. Each one is filled with spun, recycled plastic bottles. Printed and sewn locally, in Los Angeles. Integrate Year-Round Decorative Items Into A Seasonal Scheme - This star bowl shown below from Rockett St. George makes a great table top centerpiece year round but is also fun during the holidays.
Enjoy the holidays and enjoy our world, be eco friendly to our environment. That is a way bring cheer to men of good will.
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