GREEN SANCTUARY TIP of the MONTH

A Holiday Green Tip from the Green Sanctuary Committee

Simple Gifts - Do yourself and the Earth a favor this holiday season by simplifying your gift giving and decorating. Here are some ideas to get you started.

 Shop locally—perhaps at First Parish’s Holly Day Artisan Faire!!
 Consider the life of your purchase.
 Donate unwanted gifts.
 Resist the temptation to buy more.
 Give your time, not stuff.
 Give a donation to the charity of your recipient’s choice.
 Use reusable shopping bags.
 Use wrapping paper that is responsibly made and includes high recycled content.
 Reuse wrapping paper, gift bags, ribbons and bows.
 Use recycled card art and sprigs of live evergreen in place of tags and bows on your gifts.
 Reuse newspapers or magazines to make your own wrap.
 For someone you no longer want to exchange gifts with, send a gift exemption voucher.
 Decorate your home with items from nature.
 Use real dishes and cloth napkins when entertaining.
 Spend time with loved ones doing things that bring you joy—don’t get caught up in the stress of commercialization.

Many of these tips came from http://www.calrecycle.ca.gov/publiced/holidays/LessWaste.pdf