A Green Holiday Season
Thursday, December 17, 2009 at 09:49PM 
This Holiday Season with the hustle and bustle of highways and strip malls, it takes a concerted effort to rage against the corporate machine and celebrate the solstice spirit. Fortunately options for a simpler, greener holiday are becoming increasingly available. Here are 5 simple steps toward a Green Holiday.
1) Shop Local- There are several fun and exciting ways to shop for unique, one-of-a-kind gifts crafted by local artisans. Along with winter Farmers Markets and craft shows, there are many sweet boutiques with locally crafted bounty. This aids in supporting the local economy while cutting down on transportation of toxic goods made in third world countries for slave wages. Check Buy Local RI and Buy Providence for a great reference of local goods.
2) Cut Own Tree- Cutting your own tree from a local tree farm will give you a better smelling tree that cuts on transportation while feeding the local economy and aiding in land conservation. Also the tree will recycle back into the soil at the landfill.
3) Wrap in Recycle- Creating unique wrapping paper from old newspapers, magazines and even paper bags is a clever way to dress your gifts. Making collages, dressing it up with stamps and bows, or just keeping it simple, you can create wrapping as unique as the gift itself-plus it can all be recycled afterwards. Another good option is using and reusing wrapping bags.
4) Buy Local Food- Creating a delicious feast built on locally sourced food has never been easier with three winters farmers markets in RI-Pawtucket-Hope Artist Village/North Kingston-Lafayette Mills/South Kingston-Peacedale Mill Complex as well as a slew of stores featuring local booty. Check Farm Fresh RI for a list of markets, stores and farms for raw, jarred and canned vegetables; fresh dairy and eggs; as well as meat from happy, healthy animals. Not only will you be cutting on transportation and conserving farmland but the food will be free of chemicals with more enzymatic activity for a higher nutrient content.
5) Spend Time at Home- Remember that this time of year is a time to create relaxing space at home as the winter solstice is about reflection and inner peace. Not only will you cut your consumptive footprint, but you will actually improve your overall health by aligning with the natural earth cycles. So burn some locally crafted incense and candles and break bread from local food artisans. Brew up some hot apple cider from apples grown in RI or make egg nog from Rhody eggs. And remember while rest is imperative this time of year a 20 minute walk in the cold sun will not only wipe away those winter blues but also any germs you may have picked up on during the hustle and bustle of this holiday season.
