Green Christmas Tree

Is there such a thing as a green Christmas tree? Can you still be kind to the earth while chopping down a piece of it to bring into your home? The question of the artificial vs. the live Christmas tree has sparked more heated online debate than Freddy vs. Jason. Lately the green pendulum has swung to the side of the traditionalists. Perhaps the most green choice is no Christmas tree at all, but this is also the least fun choice, especially if you have kids. So how do you stand by your green values without being called a Scrooge?  Read on for tips on making eco-conscious choices no matter what side of the tree debate you fall on.

Live Christmas Trees

Organic Christmas Tree Farms

If you can’t imagine a Christmas without a live tree in your family room, you can still do it in a green way. As long as Christmas tree farms are practicing organic procedures, then cutting down a tree from a sustainable farm is actually earth-friendly. Trees are continually replenished and provide a habitat for animals. Besides, wouldn’t you rather see a successful green Christmas tree farm on the side of the road than the same land be developed into an unsightly shopping center? For a list of organic Christmas tree farms click here or check with your local nursery or garden center. If you get a pre-cut Christmas tree from a hardware store, chances are it’s been farmed using pesticides and shipped on a truck- not a very green option.

What do you do with the Christmas tree when the holiday is over? Most towns now have a recycling program for Christmas trees and will pick it up for free. Recycled trees are turned into mulch or used on waterfronts for shoreline stabilization. For a list of recycling centers in your town, visit Earth911. Or you can submerge the tree yourself into a lake or pond which will provide a fish habitat. And since you bought an organic tree, there’s no need to worry about chemicals being released into the atmosphere. Or secure it in your own back yard and hang bird feeders from it. When spring comes it will be brittle enough that you can turn it into mulch yourself for use in your landscaping.

Living Christmas Tree

An even more green option that is gaining in popularity is purchasing a potted, living Christmas tree with the roots still attached which can then be planted after the holidays. Again, you can check with your local nursery for information on where to find a potted tree near you. If you don’t want to plant the tree in your own yard, you can donate it to your town, school or church. Or you could sell it to a local landscaper. There are specific care instructions for having a potted Christmas tree, such as they can only be indoors for a small period of time. Most experts say 7-10 days so if you like to have your tree longer than that you’ll need to keep it on the porch, which can be just as festive. The Original Living Christmas Tree Company provides potted trees to residents of Portland, Oregon. They have some great tips on doing it yourself which you can check out here.

Green Christmas Tree Alternatives

There are many do-it-yourself ideas for Christmas tree alternatives. Everything from recycled green bottle Christmas trees to stringing lights around a wooden step ladder. These are perfect options for the apartment dweller or if you’re going out of town for the holidays. A favorite D-I-Y green alternative is to grab a few twigs or a small fallen branch from the woods, stick it in a pot, hang a red glass bulb from it and you have the ultimate Charlie Brown Christmas tree. You can also decorate a tree in your yard as your designated Christmas tree. Here are some other green options for your holiday decorating.

Possibilitree

Possibilitree

Possibilitree was started by an architect who had tired of the hassle of a cut Christmas tree. So he designed an attractive green alternative. Each tree is handmade in the United States by skilled woodworkers. A family-run business, Possibilitree strives to create their trees from naturally fallen trees whenever possible. They can be used year after year, are lightweight, portable and easy to store and assemble. They have an architectural modern look to them. Of course you wouldn’t want to put any lighted candles near them, but you can light them with LED spotlights or LED ornaments. You can get the 3 foot tabletop version for $195.00 or the 6 foot suspended tree that hovers 18 inches above the floor so you can still put presents “under” the tree for $350.00.

Take a look at the Possibilitree here.

Driftwood Tree

Driftwood Tree

These driftwood trees by Fawbush & Schulz are made from shoreline driftwood and add a natural earthy atmosphere to your holiday table. They come in 2 sizes: 24″ high or 31″ high. At $179.00 and $405.00 respectively, they are more pricey than your other green options. However, they could be used year round and decorated for every holiday. These are nice if you’re looking for more of a “winter” tree than a Christmas tree.

You can get a driftwood tree at Fawbush & Schulz.

Rosemary Christmas Topiary

Rosemary Christmas Topiary

For a more economical green Christmas tree, try a Rosemary bush. This topiary has been trimmed to a Christmas tree shape. Just add some ribbon, ornaments, and a few LED mini lights. Toss a festive blanket around the bottom and you’ll have your very own Charlie Brown Christmas tree. Rosemary adds a nice scent to the home and you can even snip off a few ends now and then for cooking.

You can order this Rosemary Christmas Topiary from Amazon for $27.50.

Norfolk Island Pine – The Indoor Christmas Tree

Norfolk Island Pine - The Indoor Christmas Tree

The Norfolk Island Pine is another houseplant that would make an economical green Christmas tree. These trees grow to a height of 80 feet in their natural habitat, but will keep at a controlled size when indoors. Again, wrap some LED mini lights around it and you’ll have an exotic Christmas tree.

You can get one in a 4″ pot or a 6″ pot on Amazon.

Artificial Christmas Trees

Artificial Christmas trees have recently undergone bad press: most are imported from China and are made of PVC that may or may not contain lead.  The best option for an artificial tree is to get one made in the United States. The benefits of artificial trees are that they are reusable and therefore more economical in the long run. They carry less of a fire hazard than live trees, but remember, they’re flame retardant, not fire-proof.  Mountain King has been manufacturing artificial Christmas trees in the U.S. for over 75 years. Their trees are made of 100% recycled lead-free PVC. We like the recycled, lead-free part, but the downside is the use of PVC which is a non-renewable plastic. As long as artificial trees are made with these non-biodegradable plastics, they won’t be the best choice for a green tree. Only get an artificial tree if you’re confident you want to keep one for a lifetime, perhaps even pass it down to your kids. The Mountain King brand is a high quality choice and you can purchase one here.

Feather Tree

The first artificial Christmas tree was made by the Germans in the 1800s. Due to widespread deforestation in Germany, the German people were forced to come up with an alternative to live Christmas trees. Since feathers from various birds were readily available, they made tabletop Christmas trees from them. This feather tree is a 27″ lightweight tabletop model, handmade and flame retardant. It has been featured on HGTV and the Today Show. Another good source for traditional style German green feather trees is Christmas Traditions. Or if you’re feeling crafty, you can make your own here.

The 27″ Tabletop Feather Christmas tree sells for $53.99 on Amazon.

Aluminum Christmas Tree

Aluminum Christmas Tree

Hey Daddy-O, how about a 50s Christmas? Aluminum Christmas trees were popular from the late 1950s through the 60s until the 1970 Charlie Brown Christmas special knocked them off their pedestal, but Lucy may have been thinking green after all. Aluminum trees are recyclable. This retro aluminum Christmas tree from Yuletide Expressions is made in the United States of 100% safe and renewable materials, including the stand and base. They come in classic or slimline styles ranging in price from $225.00 to $830.00 with a size range from 4 feet to 9 feet tall.

Visit Yuletide Expressions here.

Best LED Christmas Lights

LED Christmas lights have come a long way since they first hit the market. Now you can get just about any shape, size, and color to please the most die hard of holiday decorators. Most agree they are even more brilliant than the traditional incandescent Christmas lights, but perhaps the greatest benefit is that they are up to 90% more efficient. Making the switch will reduce your utility bill and your carbon footprint.

Though the price has come down over the years, they are still more costly than their incandescent counterparts. However, LED Christmas lights can be a better investment in the long run with many providing a long lifespan of up to 100,000 hours and the fact that they are encased in a durable plastic, which offers less chance of breakage than with glass bulbs. And say goodbye to the frustration of having the whole string of lights go out when one bulb dies. That doesn’t happen with LEDs. These Christmas lights are safer as well, especially if you have little kids running around, because they don’t get hot.

Don’t just throw your old lights away. If they’re still working, donate them to a local charity. Your broken ones can be recycled. Christmas Light Source is an online LED company that will take your old lights and recycle them for you, then donate the proceeds to buy books for Toys for Tots. So go ahead and be a Griswold instead of a Grinch this holiday season. Here’s our list of the best LED lights for your Christmas display.

GKI/Bethlehem Lighting 50-Light FlexChange LED Light Set

GKI/Bethlehem Lighting 50-Light FlexChange LED Light Set

GKI/Bethlehem Lighting, a company who have long provided commercial light displays including lighting State Street in Chicago for Christmas, offers high quality LEDs to the consumer. Their patent-pending FlexChange are sealed with non-corrosive components for indoor or outdoor use. This 50 light set features 5 mm wide angle replaceable LED bulbs that are 6 inches apart. These sets can be connected and are Energy Star certified. Amazon reviewers give the FlexChange LED light set an average 4 star rating with most commenting on the high quality. Also available in single colors: blue, green, red, purple, and white.

Sells on Amazon for $25.86.

100 LED Energy Smart Mini Holiday Christmas Lights by GE

100 LED Mini Holiday Christmas Lights by GE

These miniature LED Christmas lights by GE measure 33 feet in length, but you can make them even longer by connecting up to 25 sets together for indoor or outdoor use. The lights are 4 inches apart. All the other lights will still work even if one LED is burned out or loose. They are replaceable, break resistant, and cool to the touch. Keep these glowing even after Christmas as accent lighting. It should be noted that some Amazon reviewers point out that since LED lights are so energy efficient, they are not strong enough to power the motion ornaments. This set uses 8 watts of power.

The Energy Smart GE Mini Christmas Lights are sold on Amazon for $23.00.

GKI/Bethlehem C9 LED 25 Multi-Color Christmas Light Set

GKI/Bethlehem C9 LED 25 Multi-Color Christmas Light Set

Hard to believe these LED lights as they look like a throwback to the traditional lighting of Christmas past. Another selection from GKI/Bethlehem Lighting, who boast the brightest and truest color of LED Christmas lights, this set of multi-colored candle-shaped bulbs is Energy Star certified with 6 inch spacing between bulbs that are UV protected to prevent fading. The C-9 size is perfect for outdoor use, but would also bring some Christmas nostalgia inside. Comes with a 3 year warranty.

Sells for $39.99  on Amazon.

Good Tidings Holiday Christmas Light Set

Good Tidings Indoor/Outdoor Holiday Christmas Light Set

If you’re looking for something a little smaller than the C-9s without skimping on brightness, this set from Good Tidings features 70 multi-colored flame shaped LED bulbs that are 4 inches apart. The green cord measures 23 feet long and can be connected with up to 20 other sets. If one bulb goes out, the others stay lit. Using less than 10 watts of power for the whole set, they are cool to the touch. Authorized for both indoor and outdoor use.

The Good Tidings Christmas Light Set is sold on Amazon for $17.99.

Gemmy LED Color Changing Icicle Light String

Gemmy LED Color Changing Icicle Light String

These LED multi-color icicle lights by Gemmy provide a multi-function light pattern to create your own holiday light show. The glass-like appearance delivers a cleaner look when the lights aren’t in use, compared to the traditional icicle lights. Each string is 24.5 feet long with 24 icicle bulbs that are 12 inches apart. They can be connected to other light show sets for display inside or outside.

The Gemmy LED Color Changing Icicle Light String can be purchased at Lowe’s for around $40.00. There is a smaller set available on Amazon.

Color Selectable Rope Lights

Color Selectable Rope Lights

Orange Tree Trade, an American company, designs LED rope lights that render a low maintenance alternative to bulbs. This 10 foot version contains 60 blue LEDs and 60 white LEDs with 1 inch spacing between them. Using the controller, you can select blue only or white only or a mix of the 2 colors. The rope is 1/2 inch diameter and has an average life of 100,000 hours. Safe for indoor or outdoor use, LED rope lights do not heat up and this one uses about 6 watts of energy for this 10 foot rope. Comes with 10 mounting clips. You can connect with other rope lights up to 100 feet.

The 10 foot color selectable rope light sells on Amazon for $40.60.

Lawn Lights

Lawn Lights

These LED lights for your lawn have become so popular over the past couple years, the company has struggled to keep up with demand. If you’re not one for getting up on a ladder and stringing lights across your house, these lights will still give you a beautiful Christmas display without the hassle. According to their website, you can set them up in about 15 minutes. You can read more about Lawn Lights here. Each set covers 2500 to 3600 square feet. Amazon reviewers have given Lawn Lights an average 4 star rating. One reviewer said the lights still glowed through the extensive snow cover on her lawn which made for a cool effect.

You can get Lawn Lights on Amazon for $59.88.

Solar Powered Christmas Lights

Solar Powered Christmas Lights

Want to completely eliminate your energy cost for Christmas lighting? Try out these solar powered Christmas lights by GudCraft. The 100 LED lights are solar charged during the day to come on automatically at night for approximately 8 hours. Each string is 35 feet in length. What’s great about these is you can decorate anywhere without the use of extension cords or worrying about where you’re going to plug in. Comes in a choice of white or blue. The blue lights have a flash setting as well.

Sold on Amazon in white or blue for around $30.00.

GKI/Bethlehem Christmas Tree Topper with Morphing LED

GKI/Bethlehem Christmas Tree Topper with Morphing LED

Add some energy efficient lighting to the top of the Christmas tree with this color changing star by GKI/Bethlehem Lighting. The LED lighted star flows through a variety of holiday colors. It has a crystal-like appearance when not lit up and attaches to either a real or artificial tree with the 24 inch flexible mounting arm. Energy Star certified, the Bethlehem Star tree topper has received a 5 star rating by Amazon users.

Sells for $50.88 on Amazon.

Reusing the stocking you stored away last year’s the greenest option, of course. But if you lost yours in a natural disaster or bad break up–or got a new pet–here are four efficient options to pick from.

Upcycled Handmade Stockings at Etsy

Etsy, the e-marketplace for all things handmade, is the go-to spot for cute eco-friendly stockings at reasonable prices. Rikrak (above) and Katiepatatey create gorgeous festive stockings out of ecospun felt, which is made out of 100% post-consumer recycled plastic bottles. WoolyWooly felts old sweaters into new holiday stockings, while XoElle uses vintage fabrics. Sesewsuckurtoe‘s even made a stocking out of repurposed pinstriped wool pants. Prices range from $7 – $32.

Amenity Trail Stocking

Made of a hemp-and-organic cotton blend fabric, Amenity’s Trail Stockings are sewn and hand printed in Los Angeles with water-based, eco-friendly inks in cocoa, gold, silver, or moss color. The classy stockings cost $55 each at Amenity.

TerraCycle Eco-Friendly Christmas Stockings

Pick between upcycled juice pouches or cookie wrappers for your Terracycle Eco-Friendly Christmas Stocking. Made by Terracycle, the eco worm-poop fertilizer company that’s now branching out into office and household products, these stockings cost just $19.99 a pair at Home Depot.

Dog and Cat Holiday Stockings

Pampered pets can get their own stockings, hand-crafted by artisans in Nepal who boil, beat, and roll natural sheared wool to create the fair trade felt products. As a bonus, each stocking comes with a toy in the front pocket: A felt bone for the doggie, and a moue for the kittie. Get yours at Global Exchange for $28.

Optimal gift wrapping comes from renewable sources and does not contain toxic substances. Virgin forest fiber, bleach and heavy-metal inks need not be a part of gift giving. What are some of the better choices? One of the more optimal ways to wrap gifts is Furoshiki, a traditional Japanese technique of wrapping gifts using cloth. The appeal of this form of wrapping is that the cloth is reused for other purposes, see our previous post for more information on this optimal technique.

Another optimal way to wrap gift is by using tree-free or recycled paper. One company,  Paporganics, makes a range of Hemp Wrap designs, which are printed with vegetable-based inks on sheets of hemp blend paper. The long fibers of hemp and flax add strength to the shorter recycled fibers. They even sell natural wrapping ribbon which is constructed with a water-based adhesive and colored with soy-based ink. The gift wrap is priced at $4.99 for 2 sheets per package (24″ x 36″).

Another type of optimal green wrapping paper is biodegradable Seed Gift Wrap. These handmade paper rolls are embedded with annual and perennial wildflower seeds. So you can plant the wrapping paper when you are done with it. Seeds include catchfly, english snapdragon, cornpoppy, black eyed susan. It’s made in Colorado. The price is $20 for 3 sheets (24″ L x 40″ W).

Another company that makes recycled gift wrap is Fish Lip Paper Designs. Their holiday gift wrap papers are designed and printed in the USA on 100% post-consumer recycled paper with soy-based inks. The price is $4 for individual 22″ x 33.75″ sheets (with a minimum order of $20). Also available from Green Field Paper (no minimum purchase).

What about gift bags? World of Good carries handmade gift bags that are constructed by family-trained artisans in Sanganer, Rajasthan, these gift bags are made of wood-free paper and recycled cotton waste. The only non-optimal aspect of these bags is fact that they are imported from India (the energy involved in transportation). They cost about $5 each.

What about the tape you use to stick you optimal gift wrap together? One optimal alternative is to use cellulose tape, which is a transparent adhesive tape that happens to be biodegradable too. It is difficult to find, especially in the US. Almost all transparent tape sold here is made of acetate. One store, Green Earth Office does offer it. Brands such as Sellotape are available in the UK. Sellotape is made from wood pulp that comes from suppliers with extensive reforestation programs.

We hope this survey will help make your gift wrapping more optimal. Happy holidays.

LED Christmas lights are efficient — they use 90% less energy than incandescent bulbs. They are also brighter, less prone to breaking, and cool to the touch.

Less optimal is the fact that almost all Christmas lights are made in China using questionable labor practices, and then transported half way around the world.

LED Christmas Lights

You can find LED Christmas lights at Amazon. You can also find some snowflake-shaped and color-changing Christmas LEDs from Environmental Bulbs.