There are many things you can do to have a green, or eco-friendly, Christmas or Chanukah.
Candles: Whether it’s on the menorah for Chanukah or part of a Christmas decoration, use candles made from beeswax or soy. According to the Nature Conservancy, “Paraffin candles give off soot and carcinogens. Soy and beeswax candles are non-toxic, biodegradable and are more animal and child-friendly than traditional candles.”
Many stores and websites sell soy or beeswax candles, if you want to make them a part of your green Christmas or Chanukah.
Cards: Consider buying cards made from recycled materials. Also, to be eco-friendly, you can cut up the pictures on the cards you received the previous year to make green gift tags for Christmas or Chanukah presents.
Gifts: Buy items that are made from recycled, or sustainable goods. There are many green gifts available that are of fine quality, competitively priced and unique. All you have to do is a little searching.
Lights: If you plan to hang Christmas lights or place an electric Menorah in the window, use ones that have LED bulbs. According to a Department of Energy fact sheet, LED bulbs use a lot less energy than traditional holiday lights -- .08 watts per bulb verses .48 watts for an incandescent mini-bulb and six watts for a standard holiday light bulb. Plus, they last longer.
LED Christmas lights and Menorahs are available online, in drug stores and hardware stores. Some cost less than ten dollars.
Trees: There’s a big debate on whether people should get ‘real’ or fake trees for Christmas. To be as green as you can with a real tree, try to get one that you can replant, or look into Christmas tree recycling in your area.
Wrapping: The “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” mantra really applies here. If you want to be eco-friendly, you can (try to) re-use Christmas or Chanukah wrapping paper if you open it very carefully.
If that doesn’t work for you, be green by buying Christmas and Chanukah gift wrap made from recycled materials. And re-use the gift bags that are given to you. Those Christmas and Chanukah gift bags can be used many times without much wear and tear. You’ll be saving the environment and a few bucks, too.
Overall, it’s easy to be green for the holidays, with just a few adjustments.