Making Your List and Checking It Twice!

Busy making your list? Checking it twice? Do you see climate change action on it?

T’is the season to be very busy as a parent, and “bigger issues” like climate change may seem too overwhelming to think about during the holidays. In fact, the holidays can turn out to be a wonderful time to remind people you care about, that caring for the environment is high on your priority list! There are many ways you can get your list completed and still find ways to lower your carbon footprint, as well as the footprints of some of those around you.

No time like the present! Have a look at Climate Mama’s Holiday Check list; we hope it gives you some ideas for yours. At ClimateMama.com we are big on the number “8”. (Remember that in astrology, among other things, the number “8” signifies the ability to manage yourself and your environment). So, enjoy our list as we share with you “8” ways to make your holiday more sustainable!

1. Holiday cards. If you are one of those “last minute people” (like me) this may still not have a “check mark” beside it. Think about using an online service; see our products and services section for ideas. Or, if you like to have something to send via the mail, look at the card selections on line and put “recycled paper” in your search, there are many options. Last year we used “mygoodgreetings.com.” This year we are trying “something different.” We are working with the National Wildlife Federation and have chosen to use their “zero waste cards.” The photo cards come with a two-way envelope that provides return postage to Shaw Industries, where the cards will be recycled “back” into carpet backing. Give us your feedback; we will share ours!

2. Decorations. What about recycling last year’s decorations, or making “new” ones with your kids or grandkids from memorable things around the house. It’s a wonderful tradition, year after year, to take out the old ornaments and retell the stories behind them! This year the White House also got into the “act” as the theme for the White House decorations was “Reflect, Rejoice, Renew”. For the “renew” part, over 600 ornaments from previous administrations were sent to organizations around the country to be “refurbished” and then were reused on this year’s official “Tree.” The White House Tree was also lit with special LED lights. Natural materials, and materials from “nature” including dried “roots” from Mrs. Obama’s vegetable garden, were used to make wreaths and decorate other trees throughout the White House.

3. Lights and Action. If you like to “light up” your house, look at energy star options or LED lights, which use much less electricity than traditional lights. Monitor the number of hours the lights are on, don’t leave them on all night long. Remember to recycle the old ones. If you can’t find a local spot to do this, get together with friends and send back your old lights to HolidayLEDs.com. If candles are a part of your lighting tradition, use beeswax or soy oil candles. Remember most candles are made from paraffin, a hydrocarbon compound that contributes to the build up of greenhouse gases in our atmosphere.

4. Practical Presents. If a gift you are giving needs batteries, buy rechargeable ones! And consider giving a battery recharger with your batteries or as a separate gift! For the “Jet Setter” who has everything, consider giving them a “carbon offset” to “offset” their travel and all the carbon emissions they are producing. Use reputable sites like Native Energy and Terrapass, to ensure your carbon credits are actually attached to useful projects and then are “retired” after they have been used.

5. Presents of Time. Have a family “meeting” and consider making one gift to a loved one, a gift of “time”, or something equally valuable and tangible, but not actually a physical object. The options are endless once you get going: a special lunch, breakfast in bed, sleep over at the grandparents, uncles or aunts, “I do your chores day”, a car wash certificate…and the list goes on and on.

6. On-line gift ordering. Save time, and energy (yours and the gasoline to power your car) avoid driving to the “mall” and fighting the crowds. There are so many great online gift sites where you can purchase presents. In most cases they will even ship the presents to far-flung friends and relatives, and “guarantee delivery by the holidays! Not only are you, NOT burning all that extra gasoline getting places, or “not getting places” as the case may be, but you are freeing up valuable time to do all those other holiday preparations you “don’t have time to do!

7. Cancel Catalogs. You know all those catalogs collecting in your mailbox (and now on the floor waiting to go out with the recycling?) Do something about them! If you enjoy reading them fine; read and recycle. But if you didn’t ask for them and don’t ever look at them, take a few minutes after the holidays are over, and permanently cancel them. One place that will help you do this, for all your catalogs is CatalogChoice.org. They will take care of canceling the catalogs for you; you just need to tell them which ones! If you are like me, the catalogs might come to you addressed to different variations of your name i.e. C. Mama, or Climate Mama, or Ms. Climate Mama, and sometimes Mrs. Or Mr. Climate Mama. Be sure to enter all of the possible names they might come to, to make sure they do stop coming!

8. Charitable Donation/Organization Membership. Make a donation to a cause for a family member, a special gift to help them help the world. Or, consider giving them a membership to an organization that supports nature. This can be an opportunity to introduce them to climate change education or research organizations, or maybe a local Zoo or Museum membership. Pick your favorite, or pick an organization that you know they feel strongly about. (I would suggest the Zoo, Science Center or Planetarium membership for the under 12 set; the research organizations don’t always go over too big!)

We always feel good putting “check marks” next to those “to do boxes,” sooner, than later, especially during the holiday season, what about you?!