Green Options » holidays

Green Options » holidays http://greenoptions.com/tag/holidays Posts tagged 'holidays' Wed, 25 Nov 2009 15:00:47 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 en Handmade Holidays: Recycled, Personalized Collages http://craftingagreenworld.com/2009/11/25/handmade-holidays-recycled-personalized-collages/ http://craftingagreenworld.com/2009/11/25/handmade-holidays-recycled-personalized-collages/#comments Wed, 25 Nov 2009 15:00:47 +0000 Becky Striepe http://craftingagreenworld.com/2009/11/25/handmade-holidays-recycled-personalized-collages/

The weather is getting colder, and we have a handmade holiday on our minds! Handmade gifts have heart, are better for the environment, and, if you opt to buy, it supports independent artists!

If you want to have a totally handmade holiday, now is the time to get started. Over the next couple of months, we’ll be posting about recycled gifts and giftwrap you can make yourself and great handmade finds for sale!

A personalized collage is a great gift for family or maybe your best pal! Hero Arts has a great video tutorial on making beautiful collages. We’ve got the video and tips for turning this into a green craft project after the cut!

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]]> http://craftingagreenworld.com/2009/11/25/handmade-holidays-recycled-personalized-collages/feed/ Give the Kids a Personalized Santa Sack Full of Gifts http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/11/22/give-the-kids-a-personalized-santa-sack-full-of-gifts/ http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/11/22/give-the-kids-a-personalized-santa-sack-full-of-gifts/#comments Sun, 22 Nov 2009 22:04:09 +0000 Wenona Napolitano http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/11/22/give-the-kids-a-personalized-santa-sack-full-of-gifts/

In addition to all the beautiful, reusable fabric gift bags that Ecorations have to offer, this year for the holidays they have a new Santa Sack that can be personalized with your child’s name on it.

Made from organic cotton the Ecorations Santa Sack is large, almost 23 inches tall and 13 inches in diameter this large bag can be filled with gifts.

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]]> http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/11/22/give-the-kids-a-personalized-santa-sack-full-of-gifts/feed/ Simple, Stylish Fabric Bags from Lucky Crow http://craftingagreenworld.com/2009/11/22/simple-stylish-fabric-bags-from-lucky-crow/ http://craftingagreenworld.com/2009/11/22/simple-stylish-fabric-bags-from-lucky-crow/#comments Sun, 22 Nov 2009 21:53:21 +0000 Wenona Napolitano http://craftingagreenworld.com/2009/11/22/simple-stylish-fabric-bags-from-lucky-crow/

Looking at these lovely fabric gift bag samples from Lucky Crow makes me wonder why everyone doesn’t use such crafty, beautiful and reusable bags during the holidays.

Sure some people really need that wrapping paper rip to feel like they are opening a gift but these bags are so beautiful they are a gift themselves.

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]]> http://craftingagreenworld.com/2009/11/22/simple-stylish-fabric-bags-from-lucky-crow/feed/ Earth Love’n Paper Products Perfect for the Holidays http://craftingagreenworld.com/2009/11/21/earth-loven-paper-products-perfect-for-the-holidays/ http://craftingagreenworld.com/2009/11/21/earth-loven-paper-products-perfect-for-the-holidays/#comments Sat, 21 Nov 2009 15:39:37 +0000 Wenona Napolitano http://craftingagreenworld.com/2009/11/21/earth-loven-paper-products-perfect-for-the-holidays/

If you don’t have time to make you own gift wrap or cards this year, or maybe if you just need a starting point check out Earth Love’n Paper Products. They make gift wrap and note cards from 100% recycled paper.

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]]> http://craftingagreenworld.com/2009/11/21/earth-loven-paper-products-perfect-for-the-holidays/feed/ Holiday Binge Might Alter Gut Microbes http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2009/11/21/holiday-binge-might-alter-gut-microbes/ http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2009/11/21/holiday-binge-might-alter-gut-microbes/#comments Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:45:51 +0000 Rachel Shulman http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2009/11/21/holiday-binge-might-alter-gut-microbes/

Overeating on holidays like Thanksgiving is more than acceptable in our culture - it’s expected.

Why not binge on mashed potatoes, gravy, and pecan pie? Thanksgiving only comes once a year, after all. Sure, you might gain a few pounds over the holiday season, but you have until New Year’s to worry about those.

New research suggests that the holiday binge might have a less visible effect than the extra weight around your midsection. Switching from a healthy diet to one high in fat and sugar - even for just a day - might allow obesity-linked microbes to dominate the communities of microorganisms found in your gut.

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]]> http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2009/11/21/holiday-binge-might-alter-gut-microbes/feed/ Don’t Forget the Batteries Grab Fuji’s New EnviroMAX Batteries http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/11/20/dont-forget-the-batteries-grab-fujis-new-enviromax-batteries/ http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/11/20/dont-forget-the-batteries-grab-fujis-new-enviromax-batteries/#comments Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:23:14 +0000 Wenona Napolitano http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/11/20/dont-forget-the-batteries-grab-fujis-new-enviromax-batteries/

Yes, I know most eco gifts don’t need batteries but some tech gadgets and other goodies do, like digital cameras and who is going to be without a camera on Christmas?

This year you have a green choice when it comes to batteries-other than the often expensive and hard to find recharge-ables (why can’t they just put them with the rest of the darn batteries, but no you have to go searching and end up in the electronics section if they carry them at all). Anyway this year you have the option of buying Fuji’s new EnviroMAX batteries.

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]]> http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/11/20/dont-forget-the-batteries-grab-fujis-new-enviromax-batteries/feed/ A Review of Refashioned Bags: Upcycle Anything into High-Style Handbags http://craftingagreenworld.com/2009/11/20/a-review-of-refashioned-bags-upcycle-anything-into-high-style-handbags/ http://craftingagreenworld.com/2009/11/20/a-review-of-refashioned-bags-upcycle-anything-into-high-style-handbags/#comments Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:05:34 +0000 Wenona Napolitano http://craftingagreenworld.com/2009/11/20/a-review-of-refashioned-bags-upcycle-anything-into-high-style-handbags/

A woman’s handbag is an extension of herself. It shows off her style, her personality and her ability to coordinate the perfect bag with her outfit. Many of us can’t really afford to have a bag for every outfit or mood but with a little craftiness and the help of this new book…maybe we can.

Refashioned Bags: Upcycle Anything into High-Style Handbags is a new book that shows us how to turn almost anything into a fun, funky and fabulous handbags.

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]]> http://craftingagreenworld.com/2009/11/20/a-review-of-refashioned-bags-upcycle-anything-into-high-style-handbags/feed/ Grow Your Own Tree Hugger: 101 Activities to Teach Your Child How to Live Green http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/11/18/grow-your-own-tree-hugger-101-activities-to-teach-your-child-how-to-live-green/ http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/11/18/grow-your-own-tree-hugger-101-activities-to-teach-your-child-how-to-live-green/#comments Thu, 19 Nov 2009 01:04:03 +0000 Wenona Napolitano http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/11/18/grow-your-own-tree-hugger-101-activities-to-teach-your-child-how-to-live-green/

Here’s a fun book you may enjoy. It could inspire you with new ways to teach your child about living green. Or it may make a great gift for another parent that you know who could use some help in the eco-department.

Grow Your Own Tree Hugger: 101 activities to teach your child how to live green by Wendy Rosenoff is full of activities, crafts and recipes that can easily teach children about the environment and about being green without being preachy.

Some of the activities sound like so much fun your kids won’t even know they’re learning.

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]]> http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/11/18/grow-your-own-tree-hugger-101-activities-to-teach-your-child-how-to-live-green/feed/ FaveCrafts.com Full of Green Holiday Inspiration http://craftingagreenworld.com/2009/11/18/favecraftscom-full-of-green-holiday-inspiration/ http://craftingagreenworld.com/2009/11/18/favecraftscom-full-of-green-holiday-inspiration/#comments Thu, 19 Nov 2009 01:03:12 +0000 Wenona Napolitano http://craftingagreenworld.com/2009/11/18/favecraftscom-full-of-green-holiday-inspiration/

Are you looking for more ideas to make the holidays handmade this year? Drop by FaveCrafts.com.

There’s a great article Go Green This Christmas full of ideas and links to fun Christmas crafts that would make great gifts. Make sure to check out the list of 34 green Christmas crafts.

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]]> http://craftingagreenworld.com/2009/11/18/favecraftscom-full-of-green-holiday-inspiration/feed/ Handmade Holidays: Felted Acorn Ornaments http://craftingagreenworld.com/2009/11/18/handmade-holidays-felted-acorn-ornaments/ http://craftingagreenworld.com/2009/11/18/handmade-holidays-felted-acorn-ornaments/#comments Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:00:32 +0000 Becky Striepe http://craftingagreenworld.com/2009/11/18/handmade-holidays-felted-acorn-ornaments/

The weather is getting colder, and we have a handmade holiday on our minds! Handmade gifts have heart, are better for the environment, and, if you opt to buy, it supports independent artists!

If you want to have a totally handmade holiday, now is the time to get started. Over the next couple of months, we’ll be posting about recycled gifts and giftwrap you can make yourself and great handmade finds for sale!

I just love ornaments! Not only do they look lovely on the tree, they make great little stocking stuffers. In this video, Kim Buchheit of Wildly Wooly shows us how to make acorn ornaments out of felted wool and real acorn caps! You could also use them as pendants, like in the photo above, by just stringing them onto a cord or some hemp and adding a simple clasp.

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]]> http://craftingagreenworld.com/2009/11/18/handmade-holidays-felted-acorn-ornaments/feed/ Holidaze- 5 Tips to Ward Off Holiday Weight Gain This Year http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2009/11/12/holidaze-5-tips-to-ward-off-holiday-weight-gain-this-year/ http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2009/11/12/holidaze-5-tips-to-ward-off-holiday-weight-gain-this-year/#comments Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:00:01 +0000 Rachel Venokur-Clark http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2009/11/12/holidaze-5-tips-to-ward-off-holiday-weight-gain-this-year/

The holiday season is a time to celebrate with family and friends. Unfortunately, for many it also becomes a time for over-eating and weight gain. According to the National Institutes of Health, holiday eating can result in an extra pound or two every year. Over a lifetime, holiday weight gain can really add up. The holidays don’t have to mean gaining weight. Focus on a healthy balance of food, smart choices, activity, and fun. By implementing a few simple tips you can stay healthy through the holiday season.

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]]> http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2009/11/12/holidaze-5-tips-to-ward-off-holiday-weight-gain-this-year/feed/ Handmade Holidays: Recycled Felt Journal Cozy http://craftingagreenworld.com/2009/11/11/handmade-holidays-recycled-felt-journal-cozy/ http://craftingagreenworld.com/2009/11/11/handmade-holidays-recycled-felt-journal-cozy/#comments Wed, 11 Nov 2009 11:00:51 +0000 Becky Striepe http://craftingagreenworld.com/2009/11/11/handmade-holidays-recycled-felt-journal-cozy/

The weather is getting colder, and we have a handmade holiday on our minds! Handmade gifts have heart, are better for the environment, and, if you opt to buy, it supports independent artists!

If you want to have a totally handmade holiday, now is the time to get started. Over the next couple of months, we’ll be posting about recycled gifts and giftwrap you can make yourself and great handmade finds for sale!

Really, it was like kismet. My girlfriend’s birthday brunch was on Sunday, and on Saturday my booth at the Cabbagetown Chomp and Stomp was right next to the lovely Lightdaughter Press. Since my friend is back in school, I picked up one of their journals printed with “Today you will be happier than a bird with a french fry” printed on the cover. To make the gift extra special, I decided to make her a little cozy to keep it in along with her favorite pen. I just love that her gift is a combination of a purchased handmade item and something handmade by me!

Want to make your very own journal cozy? Here’s how!

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]]> http://craftingagreenworld.com/2009/11/11/handmade-holidays-recycled-felt-journal-cozy/feed/ Handmade Holidays: Scrap Wood Snowmen http://craftingagreenworld.com/2009/11/07/handmade-holidays-scrap-wood-snowmen/ http://craftingagreenworld.com/2009/11/07/handmade-holidays-scrap-wood-snowmen/#comments Sat, 07 Nov 2009 14:26:10 +0000 Wenona Napolitano http://craftingagreenworld.com/2009/11/07/handmade-holidays-scrap-wood-snowmen/

Do you woodwork? Chances are you have a box of leftover odds and ends of wood that can be turned into something cute for the holidays.

My husband has a huge box of wood pieces that he throws leftovers into after he’s done making a project. These pieces can range from tiny little scraps to half a two by four. But for some reason he had a bunch of pieces that were all about the same size left over from making something and we came up with these cute little snowmen.

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]]> http://craftingagreenworld.com/2009/11/07/handmade-holidays-scrap-wood-snowmen/feed/ Rebekah Green Sustainable Earrings: Precious Gifts for Little Girls http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/11/07/rebekak-green-sustainable-earrings-precious-gifts-for-little-girls/ http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/11/07/rebekak-green-sustainable-earrings-precious-gifts-for-little-girls/#comments Sat, 07 Nov 2009 14:25:17 +0000 Wenona Napolitano http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/11/07/rebekak-green-sustainable-earrings-precious-gifts-for-little-girls/ Rebekah Green has been globally aware and environmentally conscious since the second grade. Throughout her life she’s done a lot for the “green” movement.

Her latest efforts include a sustainable line of earrings made from recycled gold. She even has several designs devoted to children.

Including these precious little turtles which will be going in my daughter’s holiday stocking…if I don’t snag them for myself first (because I adore turtles).

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]]> http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/11/07/rebekak-green-sustainable-earrings-precious-gifts-for-little-girls/feed/ Handmade Holidays: Stockings Made from Scrap Fabric http://craftingagreenworld.com/2009/11/06/handmade-holidays-stockings-made-from-scrap-fabric/ http://craftingagreenworld.com/2009/11/06/handmade-holidays-stockings-made-from-scrap-fabric/#comments Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:20:11 +0000 Wenona Napolitano http://craftingagreenworld.com/2009/11/06/handmade-holidays-stockings-made-from-scrap-fabric/

Holiday stockings don’t need to be made from plush furry fabric or rich red velvet. They can be made from any fabric you like that reflects your style, eclectic tastes, or interior decor.

A long time ago I worked for a furniture store. One day they were clearing out all the sample fabric swatches and books that had been discontinued. And what were they going to do with it all?

Toss it in the dumpster. Stacks and stacks of rich, fancy, and fabulous pieces of fabric. All to the trash. I just couldn’t let it happen.

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]]> http://craftingagreenworld.com/2009/11/06/handmade-holidays-stockings-made-from-scrap-fabric/feed/ Handmade Holidays: Farm Fresh Apple Butter http://craftingagreenworld.com/2009/11/04/handmade-holidays-farm-fresh-apple-butter/ http://craftingagreenworld.com/2009/11/04/handmade-holidays-farm-fresh-apple-butter/#comments Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:00:11 +0000 Becky Striepe http://craftingagreenworld.com/2009/11/04/handmade-holidays-farm-fresh-apple-butter/

The weather is getting colder, and we have a handmade holiday on our minds! Handmade gifts have heart, are better for the environment, and, if you opt to buy, it supports independent artists!

If you want to have a totally handmade holiday, now is the time to get started. Over the next couple of months, we’ll be posting about recycled gifts and giftwrap you can make yourself and great handmade finds for sale!

When my pal Jes from Cupcake Punk posted about making her own apple butter, I just new this was the perfect holiday food gift! We’re all about mason jars full of tasty treats around the holidays, and you know we’re into canning around here, so this seemed just perfect! Not only is apple butter a crowd pleaser, but since apples are in season right now, you can probably find local ones pretty easily!

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]]> http://craftingagreenworld.com/2009/11/04/handmade-holidays-farm-fresh-apple-butter/feed/ Motherboard Gifts for the Tech Geek On Your Holiday List http://craftingagreenworld.com/2009/10/30/motherboard-gifts-for-the-tech-geek-on-your-holiday-list/ http://craftingagreenworld.com/2009/10/30/motherboard-gifts-for-the-tech-geek-on-your-holiday-list/#comments Fri, 30 Oct 2009 12:51:44 +0000 Wenona Napolitano http://craftingagreenworld.com/2009/10/30/motherboard-gifts-for-the-tech-geek-on-your-holiday-list/

Now here’s what a little creativity can come up with; Motherboard Gifts is a company that utilizes old motherboards and computer parts to make reclaimed gifts like money clips, picture frames, clocks, coasters, jewelry, bookmarks, binders, business card cases and even Christmas ornaments.

These are eco-friendly gifts even the most tech savvy, computer geek may love.

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]]> http://craftingagreenworld.com/2009/10/30/motherboard-gifts-for-the-tech-geek-on-your-holiday-list/feed/ Last Minute Green Halloween Tip: Iconic Necco Wafers Go All-Natural http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/10/29/last-minute-green-halloween-tip-iconic-necco-wafers-go-all-natural/ http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/10/29/last-minute-green-halloween-tip-iconic-necco-wafers-go-all-natural/#comments Thu, 29 Oct 2009 19:21:18 +0000 Wenona Napolitano http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/10/29/last-minute-green-halloween-tip-iconic-necco-wafers-go-all-natural/

Now here’s a candy you don’t have to special order online or search high and low for. Necco Wafers can be found at most grocery stores in the candy aisle or currently in the Halloween candy section.

Necco Wafers have been around since 1847 but as a sign of the times they’ve gone “green”.

The 162-year-old Massachusetts company has taken Necco Wafers and made them “all-natural” which makes them the largest mass-produced candy line in the U.S. to get rid of artificial flavoring and colors.

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]]> http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/10/29/last-minute-green-halloween-tip-iconic-necco-wafers-go-all-natural/feed/ Handmade Holidays: Wrapping Gifts using Furoshiki http://craftingagreenworld.com/2009/10/28/handmade-holidays-wrap-your-gifts-using-furoshiki/ http://craftingagreenworld.com/2009/10/28/handmade-holidays-wrap-your-gifts-using-furoshiki/#comments Wed, 28 Oct 2009 11:00:38 +0000 Becky Striepe http://craftingagreenworld.com/2009/10/28/handmade-holidays-wrap-your-gifts-using-furoshiki/

The weather is getting colder, and we have a handmade holiday on our minds! Handmade gifts have heart, are better for the environment, and, if you opt to buy, it supports independent artists!

If you want to have a totally handmade holiday, now is the time to get started. Over the next couple of months, we’ll be posting about recycled gifts and giftwrap you can make yourself and great handmade finds for sale!

There are lots of ecofriendly gift wrap options out there if you’re feeling the traditional, paper wrapping thing. If you want to branch out a bit, though, you might try wrapping some gifts this year using the traditional Japanese method furoshiki. Here’s how!

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]]> http://craftingagreenworld.com/2009/10/28/handmade-holidays-wrap-your-gifts-using-furoshiki/feed/ Practically Green by Micaela Preston http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/10/26/practically-green-by-micaela-preston/ http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/10/26/practically-green-by-micaela-preston/#comments Mon, 26 Oct 2009 22:49:45 +0000 Wenona Napolitano http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/10/26/practically-green-by-micaela-preston/ Practically Green: Your Guide to Ecofriendly Decision-Making by Micaela Preston is exactly what it says, a practical guide to going green.

This is one of the best green books I have read, probably because it isn’t all preachy and because I am a big DIY girl I just love the 30+ DIY projects included in this book.

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