Submitted by Thurston County Solid Waste
We all know the holidays are about family and spending time with loved ones. Sometimes though, it’s easy to lose sight of the bigger picture amidst the holiday shopping scramble, hosting relatives from near and far, and the desire to please even the most Grinch-like of guests. Added to all of the holiday stress is the fact that Americans throw away 25% more trash between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day than they do during any other time of the year. The added food waste, shopping bags, packaging, wrapping paper and decorations add up to an additional 1 million tons of waste each week. That’s a lot of trash. There is another way.
Consider doing something a little different for the holidays this year by going green with these alternative gift ideas. They will help you generate less waste, connect with your community, and they may even spark your creativity.
The gift of time or experience. Gifts of time and experience are a chance for the recipient to try something new and make memories that will last longer than a new pair of running shoes.
- Purchase a gift certificate to a new restaurant, or tickets to a sporting event, live music, or theater production.
- Offer up your time and share a skill such as canning, crafting, gardening, or music lessons.
- Sign someone up for a class they have been wanting to try, such as pottery, an instrument, or learning a new language.
Make it homemade. From food to crafts, homemade gifts are an affordable and creative way to add a personal touch to any gift.
- Homemade preserves are a delicious gift.
- Put together a cookbook full of family recipes.
- Make a special calendar with important family dates to remember and decorate with personal photos.
- Make and decorate a coupon book for services you can provide, such as babysitting or washing a car.
Go with recycled or reusable gifts. For those friends and family who don’t mind re-gifting, the possibilities are endless!
- Pass along your favorite book.
- Shop at thrift stores for one-of-a-kind finds.
- Give a travel mug, reusable water bottle, or cloth sandwich bags that will help reduce future waste.
Donate to a cause. Although there are plenty of things we all want, many of us are lucky enough to already have everything we need. Talk with your loved one to find a cause they care about and donate in their name.
Alternative gift wrap. Ribbons and many wrapping papers aren’t recyclable. Instead consider these alternatives:
- Use newspaper or the comics page for an added touch of humor.
- Reuse gift boxes or bags from previous years.
- Make the wrapping a part of the gift by using a flower pot, basket, scarf, or cloth napkins.
- Skip the ribbons and use natural materials like dried flowers, tree boughs, or small pine cones.
For even MORE information on greening your holidays, including green decorating ideas, tree recycling, and what to do with all of your holiday waste, visit our Waste-Free Holidays website at http://www.co.thurston.wa.us/solidwaste/holidays/holidays-home.htm.
