A Green Christmas that saves you green too
by greenlagirl

If you want a less stressful, less expensive, less wasteful holiday celebration -- without acting like an eco-grinch -- take a look at the new holiday book of the season: I'm Dreaming of a Green Christmas: Gifts, Decorations and Recipes That Use Less and Mean More by Anna Getty.

Yes, Anna's part of that rich oil family -- but her book's really about celebrating green on the cheap, mostly by buying less and using what you've got, with a little DIY flair thrown in. Writes Carrie McBride of Re-Nest in her review of Green Christmas:

Getty's book is filled with over sixty thoughtful decorating and craft projects (most incorporating elements from nature or repurposing things you already own), seasonal recipes and ideas for gifts to make and eco-friendly ways to wrap and present them. Peppered throughout are tips and reminders for making decisions that will have the least impact on the earth - using cloth napkins and tablecloths, your greenest shipping options, alternatives to plastic bottles and more.

The tips in the book really are easy to incorporate, says Jennifer of Growing a Green Family in her review. According to Jennifer, Anna's eco-ideas are practical and down to earth:

Most of all I liked Getty’s style. Lately, it seems I’ve read a rush of eco-friendly books that are seemingly trying to be hipper than hip, which works for some people but just comes off as a little pompous to me. Getty’s style is so chill, NOT holier than thou, and really seems genuine. I felt it was a very family friendly style that focused on celebrating with people not things in mind.

Consuming less is not only good for your wallet and the planet -- but can also have the great side effect of making motherhood easier too, according to Anna Getty. In an interview with EcoStiletto's Rachel Sarnoff, Anna shares some eco-parenting tips:

Keeping things simple is very helpful in motherhood. For example, having less stuff is a great way to be green. Only purchase things that you need rather than the wants. The wants will go on forever and at a certain point you’ll look around and there will be so much stuff. Ask yourself what your values are and live accordingly. Slow down and take your time, reconnect with nature, your friends, your family. It’s not necessarily about connecting to the current trend of “green” but in reconnecting to things that have meaning to you.

I went to the launch party of Green Christmas put together by Ecostiletto at Environment Furniture in Los Angeles earlier this week, where Anna signed books -- printed on 100% post-consumer recycled paper, of course -- and urged everyone to waste less and enjoy more this holiday season.

Everyone from eco-celebs like Amy Smart (with Anna, left) to would-be greener moms came by to try their hand at some of the crafts in the book, enjoy organic cocktails (yes, Green Christmas has a recipe for a pomegranate antioxidant cocktail made with Veev), and get pampered at Aveda beauty stations.

While the family-with-kids-oriented emphasis of the book isn't really for me, BlogHers with kids will likely find I'm Dreaming of a Green Christmas's $24.95 price tag will pay for itself in savings during the season. Not sure about spending money on a book when the goal's to buy less? Then check out the few free sample recipes -- mini apple strudels with brown sugar whipped cream, anyone? -- and eco-DIY tips for making your own herb wreath or green gift wrap on the book's website to get an idea of the green savings the green book will bring.

Book cover via Chronicle Books; photo of Anna Getty and Amy Smart by Sarah Strack Photography / Ecostiletto; bottom photo by Siel
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BlogHer Contributing Editor Siel also blogs at greenLAgirl.com.

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Comments

 

DH makes cloth gift bags

My husband sews his own cloth Christmas gift bags every year.....very green and eco-friendly, but I miss the joy of tearing open wrapping paper! For some reason, opening a bag just isn't as exciting...but I love DH for making those cloth bags. :-)

Laurie

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Quips & Tips for Achieving Your Goals

 

Cute! Do you find that the

Cute! Do you find that the friends who receive the gifts in the bags tend to reuse the bags?

green LA girl

 

I love docorating and giving

I love docorating and giving gifts during chirtsmas, its a magical feeling but during this time that we spend so much, so one way I can save with my decorations at home, is making christmas decorations from old unused decorations or things that I can find at home. So every chistmas we have a different decorations at a minimal expense.