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Going Green with your Gifts

On Black Friday, news cameras watched as shoppers waited outside of stores, anxious to spend their money or swipe their plastic credit cards to purchase the most sought after toys, electronic gadgets, and much more. For those shoppers who missed out on Black Friday bargains, they were able to shop online for bargains on Cyber Monday.

Everyone is looking for that perfect give, the perfect decoration or ornament for the holiday season. We travel to purchase these items, we travel to deliver the gifts, we travel for the holiday feast. This all consumes an enormous amount of resources.

We must also consider the packaging of the item we purchase. Excessive packaging means more waste in our landfills. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the amount of household trash increases by 25 percent between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day. That extra waste amounts to 25 million tons.

Be kind to the environment and do your part to reduce the negative impact the holiday season can have on the environment. Cut down on over consumption. Celebrate the holidays, but do it responsibly.

Here are a few tips to consider:

Keep in mind that even a greeting card or gift tag can be recycled. It may seem like a small item, but it still needs to be given consideration.

Look for the Energy Star logo when buy appliances. These appliances are more energy efficient.

If you mail greeting cards, consider sending a postcard instead of a larger greeting card. Better yet, send a cyber-greeting to friends with computers.

Recycle your holiday greeting cards and use them the following year as gift tags.

A treasured gift does not have to be a new item. Shopping at an antique store or thrift store an turn up so unique items that will be a perfect gift.

Share your talents to create a unique special gift. If you have a hobby where you collect thing, consider making a gift from duplications you have collected. Especially if the gift is for a child, you can get them started by sharing the enthusiasm of your hobby. Coin collections and stamp collections are good examples to get started with.

A food basket can make a great gift item. This does not have to be gourmet food, just basic food items or baked goods make an ideal gift for single people, elderly or those on a fixed income.

You have knowledge that no one else has. Share these talents as a gift to someone wanting to learn about your hobby or specialty. An hour or two of your time makes a perfect gift.

Plant a tree as a way to honor someone.

Give a donation to a charitable organization.

A gift certificate for a massage or facial.

This holiday season, be responsible in your gift giving. Choose gifts that are environmentally friendly. If each consumer does makes a conscious decision to buy gifts that are kind to the environment we will all benefit.