Here it comes – the biggest shopping day of the year in the USA – Black Friday. It’s the kick-off to the consumeristic feeding frenzy that Christmas has become, the holiday that fuels our economy. Humble Thanksgiving seems to have become almost an impediment to the shopping hounds. Some stores are even open on the day for bargain hunters to get a head start.
Few realize that the holiday shopping season contributes further to environmental 
degradation. Think about it…every gift and its wrapping is made up of materials extracted from the Earth. This would include plastic (oil), paper (trees), and metal (minerals). Then there are all the fossil fuels used to transport the raw materials to the appropriate factories, to their retail outlets, and then to their final destinations. Air and water quality are also affected by their production. For a 20 minute educational (& entertaining) video on the topic, watch The Story of Stuff. I used to show this film to my 6th-grade science students. It really gave them pause.
I’m not suggesting you trash all the Christmas fun but maybe its time to put a little more 
mindfulness in your holiday giving. Do people really need or even want all this stuff? Do we really need to upgrade to the latest device? Are their other ways to give without destroying the planet? Maybe a family discussion is due on the topic.
Here are a few tips for a more sustainable Christmas…
Challenge your family unit to find at least one awesome gift at a thrift shop (try to look for one that’s charitable) or an antique shop. You would be surprised at what you can find.
Think before you buy. Does this person really need/ want this?
Give photographs/memories in frames rather than purchasing uneeded stuff. Have your children write you a fond family memory rather than purchasing you a gift.
Handmake some gifts. My friends & I have a crafting party every holiday season. There are easy DIY gifts on Pinterest. Think you don’t have enough time? You’re too busy! Shut off your phone and turn off the TV and have some real fun.
Give the gift of experiences such as theater tickets.
Have your family unit sponsor a child through such organizations like World Vision or give the gift of livestock to a third world family through such organizations like Heifer Project.
My family has a white elephant gift exchange every year limiting the gifts to re-gifted 
items or items purchased new or used for under $20.
Use recycled gift wrap and reusable gift bags.
Yes, giving and receiving gifts is fun but most of all remember that Christmas is about relationships. How about this year start considering your relationship with the Earth as a top priority?
Wishing you a green holiday season!
Alanna
Usually I don’t read the monthly National Resources Defense Council newsletter “The Voice.” You know..the too busy thing, don’t want to be depressed. This time I read it and was shocked by their feature-length article “From Trees to toilet Paper: Canada’s Great Boreal Forest is Being Wiped Out.” Pardon me, I never thought I’d be blogging about toilet paper but this information I felt should be shared.
their content from virgin timber in the from the N. Boreal forests of Canada, the “lungs of N. America” Essentially they are wiping out a major ecosystem and contributing to climate change rather than investing in recycled content or alternatives such as bamboo and wheat straw. About a million acres are logged a year for tissue and other disposable products. Proctor & Gamble, Kimberly –Clark & Georgia Pacific thus far use ZERO recycled content. Costco gets their tissue from the main suppliers.
By Alanna Pass 