One small way in which to have a “green” Christmas involves a traditional symbol of the holiday, The Christmas tree. It is mind boggling when you think of the number of households each year, in the U.S. and abroad, that decorate a tree. I have absolutely no concept of the numbers of trees involved in Christmas celebrations each year, but it is immense.
Trees can be artificial, or real and already pre-cut so you can simply go to a local Boy Scout troop or other organization and purchase one. You can also go to a local tree farm, pick out your favorite tree, cut it down and take it home.
Another option, the “green” one, is to purchase a live tree with its ball of roots intact. Decorate it and use it inside your home as usual, but plant the tree outside when Christmas is over.
If you consider this option, here are a few recommendations from David Beaulieu:
-Dig the hole for planting long before Christmas so you will not have to dig in frozen dirt. Bring the dirt you remove inside to keep it from freezing.
-Keep the tree watered (the rootball).
-Avoid large temperature swings for the tree. Place the tree in the coolest spot in the house and do not keep it in the warm house for too long.
- The tree needs a 2 week transitional period temperature-wise. After Christmas, take it out of the warm house, but not out into freezing temperatures right away. David Beaulieu recommends storing it in a garage during this period.
-The roots should be unwrapped before planting. After planting, water and mulch.