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an artificial tree may not be green, but neither is half the country hacking down a tree, letting it die in their house, and then throwing it out to the curb....

we've never had a real tree. I've been places that do, and it's nice, but I don't see how it makes it more christmasy.

In the northeast, Christmas trees are grown as a crop on tree farms. While I've always felt guilty about discarding Christmas trees on the curb, the truth is, without a market for live trees, the land they grow on would probably be paved over for some other business.

We always get a real tree from a family owned farm. It stays up for 4 weeks or so, and gets composted at the end. I do think it is a green choice as long as you dispose of it properly and try to support your community. The smell can't be beat!

Real Christmas trees are much more "green" than artificial ones because they are grown as a crop (just like corn) and constantly replanted. They are then picked up at the curb and turned into wood chips to be used on trails or as mulch in city projects. Artificial trees are made from non-renewable resources and once they go to the landfill they are there forever.

P.S. For me it's the smell of a real Christmas tree that makes it more Christmassy!

I've never heard of an "artifical" tree.

Why on earth is this positioned as "worry"? ("Do you worry about staying green during the holiday season...?"). As if anyone needs anything more to stress about.

How about, "Are you concerned about making different choices that could save money and/or have a smaller carbon footprint and/or make the world better for someone in need?" There's a vague tone of hystrionics over the issues of wrapping paper and trees and excess. Why do we need to be so melodramatic?

If you want to be super "green" about gift giving, try virtual items like audio books (audible.com) and MP3s (itunes) and movie tickets (fandango). Or hire someone to provide a service (handyman, housekeeping, babysitting, carpet cleaning). No wrapping needed. Click click or ring ring.

You could go one better and give "charitiable donation in recipients name" via heifer international (http://www.heifer.org/site/c.edJRKQNiFiG/b.204586/) For $20, hungry family gets a flock of chickens that lay eggs for food and for sale.

For me, the winter holidays are about the dark time of the year and the coming of spring (the days get longer starting December 21). It's about staying warm, moving one's focus from the external to the internal (whether that's from the crops to the hearth or from the world at large to the family). It's about celebrating relationships and good fortune. It's about acknowledging the passing of time and making use of the opportunity for personal growth and reflection.

I don't give lots of gifts because it's expensive and unnecessary. But it doesn't mean I don't send cards, make calls, host parties, share photos, bake treats, and share my good fortune with those I love.

Daily Nuance: you've probably never heard of an articifial tree either. I know I haven't. Don't these people have automatic spell check?

On subject: I agree with Lisa Hunter and ottawawinter. I just did a little research, myself, as I was a little confused as to which would be better, environmentally. I won't feel bad for supporting a local farm and getting a real tree, as long as I know it has purpose during and after its life.

Folks should really do the research before stating such a strong opinion as was that first comment.

In my family, only kids under 18 get gifts. I no longer send cards. I've cut outdoor decorations to a string of lights across the front of the house. The family gets together for a meal (we all take dishes to pass) and we send the leftovers home with Mom so she doesn't have to cook for a few days (which she appreciates). I no longer bake holiday goodies (too many diabetics). We no longer exchange gifts with friends . . . we go out for dinner to celebrate. All in all, the holiday season holds little or no stress anymore and that itself is a blessing! KISS Keep it simple, stupid!

I reeeeeeeeeally like wrapping presents. A lot. But buying wrapping paper is expensive and not at all environmentally responsible. Any good suggestions for pretty, green ways to wrap gifts? I can't for the life of me figure out how using sheets of newspaper could look pretty. And while I think it would be cool to use reusable shopping bags as gift wrap, it breaks my heart a little to think of my Christmas presents sitting under the tree looking like dumpy, lumpy sacks of boring groceries.

Daffodil,

A friend of mine wrapped her gifts one year in left over fabrics. I have to say it was actually really pretty and unique. And it's completely recyclable.

Try going to a fabric store or go into your linen closet anything your no longer using. Wrap using ribbons or two sided tape. You don't have to give up your favorite part of the holidays!

In Brooklyn, the parks department comes around to pick up discarded trees for compost (at least in the neighborhoods I've lived in). As long as people are responsible about making sure the trees don't go into landfills, I don't see the problem with having a real tree.

And I just can't imagine hanging cranberries and popcorn on an artificial tree!

sorry about the typos folks- they've been fixed. We actually don't have an automatic spell-checker on the drafting screen, and sometimes the fingers slip up, especially when typing "artificial" over and over- maybe next time I'll stick to "fake"! ;-)

Daffodil,

The Japanese have a tradition called "Furoshiki" -- cloth gift wrapping. Here is the link to the japanese government guide to Furoshiki:

http://www.env.go.jp/en/focus/attach/060403-5.pdf

Yes, it's weird that gift wrapping falls under government jurisdiction. But that isn't the point.

And here's a link to some DIY fabric gift bag patterns (a little more more labor than furoshiki).
http://www.craftandfabriclinks.com/ezgiftbags/easy_giftbag_pattern.html

Oh, E.I.F. and kimg924, thank you! Those are wonderful suggestions.

Looking at the picture with this post, though, it dawned on me I will have to have at least a little wrapping paper this year. I have a two-year-old, and he just gets so excited by ripping open the paper. I have leftover paper from last year, so I'll use that for him and try fabric for everyone else.

Thanks for the nifty ideas!

Instead of puttiing my recycling at the curb this month, I'm hanging it all on my artificial tree...I will be wrapping my gifts with the paper recycling.