In Search of A Green Christmas

The scent of pine wafting through the house is a sure sign that we're heading towards a green Christmas, evergreen that is. The tradition of arriving at our favorite nursery, roaming the rows of Fraser Firs and Blue Spruce or Scotch Pines, and voting on the perfect tree has been ours since we tossed the tired artificial tree out with the last century. Our loyalty lay with the Grand Fir for several years; we loved the soft touch of the needles and its heavenly aroma. However, its delivery distance and weather conditions dried up its availability at our Southern Maryland nursery, chasing us to other choices.

Once the holiday is over, the tree finds its way outside to become cover for the local wildlife on our near-five acre woods. In years past, the family tree has also found its way to the local recyling center which treecycled them into mulch to use at the local parks or as fish habitat.

Sustainability is the buzzword, from architecture to education to development. The concept prevails in much of our thinking as we strive for a lifestyle that won't deplete our resources. In search of a green Christmas that embraces sustainability, I went online to read how others define sustainability. I came across a number of entries including several authored by David McCloskey, a professor of sociology at Seattle University, and particularly liked his definition that "Actions are sustainable if: ...Each generation preserves the legacies of future generations."

Preserving legacies, to me, translates as embracing tradition when it pertains to ways to ensure Christmas is sustainable. As I continued the online search, I was delighted to see the several suggestions for sustainability and trimming excess are among ones I've long enjoyed as traditional ways to celebrate the holiday.

For instance, for years we have downsized in giving by reusing wrapping materials; boxes, bags, ribbons and paper are smoothed, saved and recycled year to year. My mother's tradition was to choose a wrapping that she then recycled for years specific for each of her three children, thus eliminating the need for gift tags. It's a small dent but one nonetheless in the estimated Christmas Eve and Christmas Day generation of three billion extra tons of garbage annually. 

Sending e-cards are another way to be sustainable, although I must admit that I still enjoy the traditional Christmas cards arriving in my mailbox with handwritten notes. These cards find a second life, with last year's cards becoming this year's gift tags, or the card front later becomes a postcard reply to the sender with a brief handwritten greeting.

For sustainable decorations, the bottom limbs cut from the Christmas tree become swags to welcome guests as they drive up the lane. Pine cones and running cedar retrieved from our woods are natural elements to add to the welcoming swags or the dining room table runner, or to decorate the fireplace mantle.

When it comes to gift-giving, a charity donation made to a favorite cause or passion of that person who has few needs is another sustainable tradition to pass along. Gifts of Hope featured by the Metropolitan Washington, DC Synod, ELCA is among the favorites I anticipate each Advent. In its 18 years the program has funded $2 million of much-needed gifts that bring joy, provide for daily needs and build for the future. ELCA also operates Good Gifts throughout the year for birthday and other gifting opportunities that include immunizations for children, mosquito netting, bundles of roof shingles and much more.

Whatever your tradition, wishing you peace and joy that will sustain you this holiday season and beyond.