I'm Dreaming of an Alt Christmas
I'm dreaming of an alt Christmas, unlike the one's I used to know.
An alternate Christmas might include buying a unique gift anytime of the year for that special person on your list. It might also include making gifts that you could start making in June (knitting that scarf for your sister). Or it could include simply giving the gift of love. At Thanksgiving give everyone a jar for each family member. They can decorate it if they want to but the important stuff will be inside. Every day from Thanksgiving until Christmas Eve you can write a note or maybe just a word or two about why the other person is special, something good they did or why you love them and put it in the jar. Exchange the jars at Christmas to reduce the number of purchased gifts. You might also decide to forego gifts for the family and adopt a family that might not otherwise have any gifts.
Designing and making your own cards is a great alternative to store bought. You can use pieces of Christmas cards you receive or any scrap materials you have around. But designing and creating your own alternative Christmas tree could be the most fun of all. I made the trees below out of wine corks and odd bits of jewelry. However you can make a tree out of almost anything.
   | | Photo courtesy of Penny's Vintage Home |
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Smart Energy Savings - The Easy Way
Now that winter is upon us, the heat is on and our energy bills are rising. An easy way to control these costs is by controlling the thermostat in your home. Think thermostats don't matter. Think again. Turning the thermostat down can help but scheduling your usage may be a more effective way of saving. The Nest thermostat is so smart (almost scary smart) that it learns from you. The Nest isn't the only "smart" thermostat on the market but it is one of the hippest.
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Crafty Ways to Reduce Waste
If you are like me you attend a variety of festivities during the month of December. So far I attended my annual cookie decorating party and a dinner party. I have several more events to attend including caroling, a white elephant gift exchange luncheon and dinners with family and friends all before I jump on a plane to Nebraska so I can spend Christmas with the majority of my family.
Parties and dining out can create a lot of waste. Since a lot of spirits flow during the holidays I ask my friends to save their wine corks for me if they don't recycle them. I use them in art projects (see the trees above). You can also recycle your corks here. Wine or beer bottles can be recycled into next year's Christmas trees or mosaic candle holders. But my favorite idea is using pop tops to make fun jewelry.
Parties also generate a lot of food and a lot of waste. Have your guests bring containers for leftovers or arrange for the caterers for the office party to take the remaining food to shelters. |
Happiest of Holidays
I hope that you and your family have a joyous Christmas and prosperous New Year.
Eco-Chic Design would like your feedback. Please email [email protected] and tell us what topics you would like to see in your monthly newsletter. Sincerely,
Eco-Chic Design 
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