‘Tis the season to be entertaining. Yes, the holiday season
often brings friends and family to our homes. While we may
appreciate the fellowship and company, entertaining often brings us
a mountain of trash and higher utility bills. Is there a way to be
both jolly and green?
‘Tis the season to be entertaining. Yes, the holiday season often brings friends and family to our homes. While we may appreciate the fellowship and company, entertaining often brings us a mountain of trash and higher utility bills. Is there a way to be both jolly and green?
Of course there is. It just takes a little forethought and effort. Here are a few tips for being an eco-smart entertainer this holiday season:
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Decorating: While the world is full of inexpensive, throwaway decorations that are made in faraway places, it’s possible to decorate your table with beautiful decorations that are affordable, yet durable. Consider mixing your everyday dishware with a few holiday highlights purchased at one of Morgan Hill’s locally-owned small businesses.
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Food and food waste: The phrase, “happy holidays,” doesn’t rhyme with the phrase, “make way too much food,” so why do so many holiday get-togethers feature way too much food? Your holiday party doesn’t have to be synonymous with food waste. Food can be tremendously expensive and comes with a whopping carbon footprint as it travels the globe to get to our tables. Therefore, think through how many adults and children you expect to attend and how much food they will reasonably need. Try to include locally grown fruits, vegetables, and meats in your menu. Don’t forget that Morgan Hill is blessed with opportunities to buy local wine and beer. Avoid disposable plates and cups. Don’t forget to compost your food preparation waste and the leftovers that won’t be eaten.
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Lighting: Most stores are now carrying holiday lights that use LED bulbs. These bulbs offer long-life and use just a fraction of the energy used by traditional bulbs.
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Recycle that wrap: Think back to your fondest Christmas morning memory. There were probably lots of smiling people, piles of gifts and oodles of good cheer. What you didn’t see, unless your family is an ecological superstar, were neatly separated piles of discarded paper, ribbons, cardboard and trash. I recommend having a few bags or containers ready for recycling before the gift unwrapping begins. You really just need three bags on hand; one for recyclable paper, cardboard, and other things, one for reusable bows and ribbons, and a third just for the trash.
