holiday

The morning’s SNOWSTORM  didn’t stop a few local moms who gathered to BRAINSTORM. The topic?Holidays, stress and ways to simplify for the planet’s sake.(It could not have been a more appropriate day, considering inlu was mentioned in the ecomom alliance holiday guide. Click HERE to download some great ideas.)

What we discovered very quickly is that planet-saving ideas are woven with stories and context, memories and challenges—from hints to hassles to innovative thinking. Here’s our list.

PLEASE CONTINUE to ADD YOUR OWN IDEAS! on FACEBOOK, TWITTER or HERE!

(Oh, and a SUPER-special thank you to HEALTY LIVING MARKET!)

STRESS

• Bake fewer cookies. Don’t make a ton of cookies “just because that’s how mom did it.” You’ll feel less maxxed out.
• Don’t runaround for a million gifts– look right in the stationary closet. Make coupons or special notes and offer to do projects for parents and relatives. (If you’re tech, offer to set up a blog or make a website for that person you’ve been meaning to help out!).
• Make it fun- gather a group to make a new, simple tradition.  This creates community. For example, an ornament making party—pooling crafty resources makes it fun and less expensive.
• Pick a “wasteful” tradition that just seems to cause more stress than fun and let it go. This includes homemade recipes that you feel you “must” make.
• Allocate duties at parties. Ask each person to bring  an organic or healthy treat. This lightens the load yet keeps people together.
• Go to YOGA.

MESS

• Ask the kids to fill a box with GOOD CONDITION toys to give away to make room for new goodies.
• Skip wrapping big gifts. Leave clues to where it is hidden OR tie a string to follow back to the gift. This saves paper but keeps it really exciting!
• Pick gifts that LAST. Go for the nicer quality—it will last longer and stay out of the landfill. For example, buy a quality luggage piece or a handwoven rug.
• Use cloth from an old sheet as “wrap” – tie with ribbons. Get creative. Find scraps. You never, know, family members may continue re-using the printed cloth year after year.
• AVOID throw-away cups. How? Hit the local recycle shop and pick up a dozen or two GLASS DRINKWARE. You’ll find odd sizes and shapes— I hit RECYCLE NORTH for cocktail, juice cups and flutes…for CHEAP! (really cheap!)

EXCESS

• Save those holiday bags and ribbons and favorite papers. Use them next year! You can also make gift cards from old cards, artwork and other “household” paper items and wrapping paper from newsprint, mail and magazine pages. (I wrap the boys stocking stuffers in CAR & DRIVER pages).
• Switch to LED lights this season. Less energy….bright idea.

(HIT THE JUNK DRAWER, HARD.)

• Swap with other moms. Literally, organize an am coffee session while the kids are at school/napping and say, bring a box of old, gently used items- from wallets to plastic robots to beads to marbles—other mom’s trash is another kid’s stocking stuffer! Be mindful of age/choking hazards. (This can apply with clothing too!).
• Use junkdrawer items to create holiday decorations: ornaments, wreaths and community projects.
• Draw names and commit to buying for fewer people.
• USE INLU.COM to round up funds from all around the country/globe and BUY LOCALLY!

SNOWSTORM!

If YOU are interested in a Brainstorm Session or would like to join the EcoMom Alliance, all you have to do is this or VISIT ECOMOM.COM and sign up (PSSST….BTV / Vermont needs a chapter leader!):

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