consciously consumptuous? ~ how do you keep the holiDaze green?

[Sarana]

yes! this is exactly what I came on here for! I wanted to get feedback about what other mamas are doing to stay eco conscious this holiday season.
this is the first year we have " participated" in some of the festivities. getting a tree, putting up lights, etc. we started doing presents last year, and the grandparents pretty much take care of most of the present giving. Our kids don't really get new toys throughout the year. So I have come to accept and even in a way appreciate* the influx of "stuff" this season brings. We do however try to lay some basic ground about things that we just absolutely are not into. * its can feel like a struggle at times. and that is possibly a whooole nother discussion! :) But? anyone? over the next month how do make an effort to keep green, and consciously, if at all consumptuous?

[Amy Bronowicki]

I ask myself the same questions. We are lucking in our area that there are a lot of green places. We try not to use our oil heating system much and rely on the fireplace. We burn most of our trash if possible. I recycle as many items as I can. For example gift bags for presents. My children know what the holiday it is and they don;t really care about the packageing it comes in. I use bags over and over. Their presents are put in baby bags, birthday bags, whatever bags have been given to us. I do not go out and buy gift bags but i can not come to throw them out. I figure I am trying to do the best with the situation at hand. Unfortunately we have a fake tree because of my children's health issues but again I rationalize that we have had it for 7 years and it was used. I am cutting down on yearly consumption and waste.
We do use this time of year to clean out and give back. My kids are spoiled by our large family so every holiday season I have them clean out one trash bag size container of items they do not use or want anymore. We look through it and figure out what is the best plan to donate it. I split it up usually. I give toys to local area hospitals/doctors offices/dental office, etc. I also give some to the Goodwill or any other local charity. I have also done tags sales with the items and donated to proceeds to charity. It is a struggle for me to not consume so I really try basic steps of recycle, reuse, renew. Hope this helps. We feels that the holidays are about the sentaments not the other stuff. Kids really don't care.

[Sarana]

i guess for me, some of things I am thinking of are ways to re invent things we already have as far as " present giving". obviously making things is always a good way to go. As my kids get older, making a family ritual out of volunteering in a soup kitchen or organizing for the homeless feels right. we made ornaments to hang on our tree instead of buying a bunch....i can;t think much more than that right now! kids are calling. look forward to hearing what others are doing
~s

[Amy Bronowicki]

One thing we did is go to a local place that sold Christmas trees and firewood. I asked if I could have the scraps and we ended up making christmas wreaths for some people. The kids liked getting their hands into nature. I will try to think of the things we do as well.