Growing up in the 1950’s, we lived a very “green life”…yet we didn’t even have a word for environmentally friendly! We always cut our tree at Grandma and Grandpa’s. The wreath that hung on the door was made of greens and holly that Mom would clip from our blue spruce and holly bushes out front, then just add a simple red bow, that by the way was recycled from year to year. Ornaments were made each year and added to the tree, even the tinsel was saved and reused! Christmas cards were always the photo ones that could be enjoyed in years to come. Tags for the presents were made from last year’s cards that we had received. Ribbons and even wrapping paper were smoothed, saved and reused from year to year! Thrifty? Yes! It was a different time, wages were meager and people didn’t expect as much. I only knew one family that had an artificial tree, it was silver and it looked very much like the roll of Reynold’s wrap that Mom used for the turkey. I didn’t ever think, “I wish we had one of those!”Author of the new book “I'm Dreaming of a Green Christmas“, environmentalist Anna Getty’s book is chock-full of ideas for the perfect Green Christmas! Beautifully laid out, it offers suggestions for decorating your home, entertaining, and tips and reflections from other eco-friendly experts on everything from how to burn a greener fire to how to recycle the Christmas present aftermath. Inspired by her German mother to create family traditions, Getty offers ways for everyone in the family to get involved in creating a greener Christmas. Sometimes the best time to start is right after the holiday is over, while you're still cleaning up and have plenty of goodies to put aside for reuse next year.
It’s not a bad idea to think of ways we can save money and in turn save the Planet!
G'morn joycee ~ We sure were 'greeners' way back then. Will have to check this book out, always love new ideas.
ReplyDeleteTTFN ~
Have a lovely week ~
Marydon
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I remember our family saving that tinsel from year to year, till there wasn't much left but a crinkly few strands in a bunch. I always wished we had the money to purchase just a few more packages of that tinsel, but mom never could spare the money for such frivolity. When I moved away from home, and got my first apartment, I COVERED my tree in tinsel, till you could barely see the branches!
ReplyDeleteMy Christmas will be very green. Green from all the envy over everyone with Christmas spirit!
ReplyDeleteOur family did the same things bringing in the greens and all the ornaments were things we probably made in school. What a chuckle with the silver tree. I always thought they were so pretty and probably wished we had one back then. Good ideas to stay green and save some energy.
ReplyDeleteI too grew up "green"...we just didn't realize it at the time!...:)JP
ReplyDeleteI do like the idea of "greening" up Christmas. Thanks for sharing this book.
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