Think Experience Not Product
The holidays are about spending time together so instead of buying tons of gifts, why not make plans? Buy your friends and loved ones tickets to a play or concert, or maybe a gift certificate to a favorite local restaurant. This way you support the local arts and economy simply by enjoying your company.
Northern California is known for its fine wines and wide variety of local beers. Buy a bottle of something organic, local and tasty, and then start the holiday decorating.
Of course you need to begin by stringing up LED lights. LEDs use 80 to 90 percent less energy than conventional holiday lights. Get creative and make holiday garlands out of local treasures from the forest like giant pinecones or the bright red amanita mushrooms. And don’t forget the yummy popcorn and cranberry strands for the tree.
You don’t need to feel guilty about having a real tree in your home, either. The HSU forestry club has an annual Christmas tree sale with trees from forest thinning projects. After the holidays are over, take your tree to Mad River Compost at the end of the season for natural recycling. This service is free to residents of Arcata.
Get Local
There is always space under the tree or next to the menorah for some homemade or locally produced presents. Try to get things you know your friends can use like handmade soap, delicious local jam or maybe surprise them with a gift certificate for an hour massage. Give the gift that keeps on giving and buy a Community Supported Agriculture farm share.
Forget the cheesy candy cane covered wrapping paper. Instead wrap presents in beautiful images from your calendar, the year is almost over anyway. Or make collage wrapping from old magazines or photos. Try creating a theme with pictures that gives clues for the present inside and see if the recipients can guess what the gift is.
If you were thinking about wrapping your gifts in all that colorful junk mail, maybe you should consider putting a halt to the paper waste by signing on to 41pounds.org and stop the junk mail mania. What a great present for your friends and yourself.
Finally, when bundling up to stay warm and cozy this winter, don’t forget to get a heater blanket for your water heater. If you have an older water heater, like most Humboldt homes, you can reduce your energy loss by 25 to 45 percent just by insulating your water heater.
Drop the guilt, get creative and go green this holiday season.