November 30, 2008|Andrea Chang |
Chang is a Times staff writer. Dreaming of a green Christmas?
From biodegradable greeting cards to solar-powered Santa decorations, consumers have countless ways to celebrate an eco-friendly holiday season this year.
And in this tight economy, here's some good news: Going green doesn't mean having to spend a lot of it.
"It's a massive misconception," said Sophie Uliano, a Los Angeles author who wrote "Gorgeously Green: 8 Simple Steps to an Earth-Friendly Life." "People think solar panels, hybrid cars, organic jeans and very expensive skin care. But that doesn't have to be the case."
The holiday shopping season officially started Friday with the traditional day-after-Thanksgiving sales. This year, an eco-friendly Christmas is on consumers' minds -- along with an uncertain economic situation.
Many say they will shop less and cut their holiday budgets by hundreds of dollars. So in addition to slashing prices and extending store hours, retailers are boosting their selection of green products this year to attract shoppers.
"The outlook is not for a great Christmas season," said Richard Giss, a partner in accounting firm Deloitte & Touche's consumer business division in Los Angeles. "All retailers are looking for some edge. If they can be seen as the eco-friendly retailer, that will help them."
In Deloitte's annual holiday survey this year, nearly half of consumers said they were willing to pay more for green gifts, despite the bad economy, and one in five said they would purchase more eco-friendly products this holiday season than in the past.
"People are starting to become sensitized in ways that they previously weren't to green issues," Giss said. "It's very hard to argue that you shouldn't do the right thing, and more and more people are accepting this as the right thing to do."
Whether you have already adopted an environmentally friendly lifestyle or are just starting out by recycling here and there, here are cost-conscious ways to green your holidays with something besides pine branches.
Green gifts
Finding an affordable, eco-friendly gift is easier than you might think. These days, brick-and-mortar stores and online merchants carry a wide selection of green products such as bamboo fiber bathrobes and stuffed animals made from recycled sweaters.
At Kellygreen Design + Home, a specialty store in Silver Lake, owner Kelly Van Patter said environmentally minded holiday shoppers have purchased the store's reusable water bottles, 100% recycled paper goods and eco-friendly bath products as gifts.
"The most popular items are functional, for people who are trying to focus on giving gifts that are low-impact," Van Patter said. "A lot of the items are handmade and made from recycled things, so they're not mass-produced."
And your choices aren't limited to small boutiques and eco-friendly websites. Big-name retailers, such as Target Corp. and Wal-Mart Stores Inc., also are highlighting green items on their shelves and on the Web.
One of the most useful and cost-conscious gifts is a reusable shopping bag roomy enough to fit groceries and household items. Many stores encourage consumers to use these tote bags, which eliminate the need for paper or plastic at the checkout line.
"It bothers me to think we're hurting the environment and all we have to do is bring a bag to the store to reduce that impact," said Aynsley Amidei, co-founder of Chicago-based Goody Green Bag, which sells reusable totes for $8.95. "When I go to Macy's or anywhere, I don't use their bags anymore, so I'm saving them money. It's a whole change of thinking."
Another option is to buy a present that doesn't involve a lot of packaging.
Ethan Schreiber, a composer from the Hollywood Hills, said he tried to eliminate waste by not buying "material goods" as gifts.
"Rather than buying people things, I buy them experiences" such as gift cards to restaurants and concert tickets, said Schreiber, 31. "It makes me feel better."
Experts say the ultimate feel-good gift is a donation in your giftee's name to an eco-friendly charity or a park or zoo.
If the person you're buying for is an animal lover, the World Wildlife Fund offers "symbolic adoptions" of more than 90 species, including polar bears and dolphins. A $25 adoption comes with a species spotlight card, a certificate and a photo of the animal you chose.
Holiday cards
If you feel guilty about the mountain of glittery wrapping paper and holiday cards that goes straight into the trash after Christmas, there are a number of creative and easy do-it-yourself options.
Try looking around the house for material that could be used instead of gift wrap, such as extra fabric, old maps and glossy magazine ads.
"The message we're trying to get out this year is save money on the wrap and make that yourself so you can spend money wisely on the gift," said Paul McRandle, deputy editor of National Geographic's Green Guide publication.
Still others opt for a completely bare-bones approach.
