After the holidays you’re bound to have some extra wrapping paper on your hands. No need to toss it though. Gift wrap can be recycled in many ways.

First things first:
First grab a big box and have it at the ready Christmas morning. You can toss wrap into the box as you open gifts – it’s also smart to have two smaller boxes for filler items like shredded paper or packing popcorn and another for reusable gift tags and bows.If you’re prepared it makes it easier to recycle as you go.
How to recycle your wrap:

Sort and save – sort out usable …read more

If you’ve got a gardening buddy who also likes to keep it eco-friendly, then these recycled tire plant pots are the perfect holiday gift. Stylish, bold, and best of all these pots take reuse to unique level.

Cute right, and great for green advocates because tires are one of those hard to recycle items. Reusing tires for new goods isn’t the perfect option but it’s better than doing nothing with all the excess tires in the world. Recycled tire pots come in sizes perfect for flowers or herbs.

The pots above are from Biome Lifestyle, a shop across the pond. If like …read more

It’s the time of year when folks start sending flowers and little treats to friends and family for Thanksgiving. Just a friendly reminder to make sure you send eco-versions of the above items. Look for locally grown organic or VeriFlora Certified flowers when possible, and organic and natural locally made treats as well. If you live in an area that doesn’t cater to eco-friendly living there are some online treats and flowers to consider. Below is a round up of treats and flowers you can send that are lovely and special but won’t sacrifice your eco-footprint quite so much.

Beautiful Sweets …read more

There are some super cute green decor finds out there that allow you to decorate for a green Thanksgiving while one, not spending a ton of cash, and two, not sacrificing your eco-footprint quite so much. Here are some cute ideas…
Hoot worthy bleached eco-friendly coir owl doormat. Printed w/pigment dyes. Coir is woven from coconut husks, and naturally traps dirt, absorbs moisture, and stands up to all kinds of weather extremes. A nice greeting at a doorway this holiday.
Bamboo drink coasters – 100% organically-grown bamboo, non-toxic adhesive, natural food-safe wood oil.
Organic soy candles from Dirt Candles – Dirt makes GMO-free organic …read more

If you’re looking for an oh so stylish way to conceal holiday gifts this year check out The Hide Box by Modern-Twist. Not only is this a super alternative to disposable wrapping paper and bows but these little hide boxes are beautiful to boot.

Each of the Modern Twist hide boxes are based on a vintage Japanese design and bags create a perfect place to stash and hide little gifts like marbles, small toy cars, jewels, candy, and more. Each bag is made of handmade, woven cotton fabric in botanical or abstract prints and the clever design allows you to open …read more

It can be tough to choose the best and safest green toys each season. You’ve got to read labels, check reviews, and spend a ton of time looking around if you’re a green parent. OR you could say “Um, no to that” and just make a stop at Jade’s Toy Box. Jade’s ToyBox is a newer online retailer that offers easy and unique answers for parents looking for safer green products without the fuss. Jade’s Toy Box offers “Concept Boxes” that combine learning, fun and safety in one nice little package.

Each Concept Box is filled with eco-friendly toys, books and …read more

If you’re setting a fancy table for Thanksgiving, all the better, because you’re likely using real dishes and cloth napkins – both eco-friendly choices. BUT, what about the place cards? Well, you’ve got some options which include making your own or buying some eco-friendly options. Here are some ideas.
Store bought eco-friendly place cards:

If you’re going to purchase route look for non-toxic and recyclable materials and look for products that serve the purpose (or many purposes) for the long haul. I LOVE these Bird Cheese Markers (shown above) from Beehive Kitchenware – yeah they’re cheese holders but if you stick …read more

I know Halloween hasn’t even hit yet, but Thanksgiving is a big event and can take some planning. Luckily, there are some easy ways to green your Thanksgiving.

Look for “USDA organic,” not “Free-range” turkeys. While Free Range may sound good the term means little according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. You’ll have much better luck finding a chemical free bird if you go local – i.e. choose a turkey raised at a local farm. To learn more about labeling read, Unscrambling Organic Eggs, which yes, I know is about eggs, but if you replace the word “egg” with “turkey” …read more

Need some last minute Halloween tips before the big day? Here’s a list of resources, crafts, and recipes that will help you create a spooky, fun, and green Halloween – even at the last minute.

Spooky eats & treats:
Healthy & Fun Halloween Treats
Last Minute DIY Organic Halloween Treats
Healthy Green Halloween Snacks
17 Halloween Cupcake Ideas
Where to get eco-friendly Halloween treats
Crafty fun:
Oodles of Free Recycled Halloween Craft Ideas
6 Eco-Friendly Halloween Crafts For Kids
5 spooky recycled crafts for Halloween

Halloween Crafts for Kids!
Extra tips for the greenest Halloween yet!:

Eco-Friendly Non-Edible Halloween Treats
Homemade Green Halloween Costumes for Babies
Green Your Halloween Party
Everything you could …read more

Last year ChicoBag and Green Halloween teamed up for an ultimate eco-friendly Trick-or-Treat Bag Design Contest and this year they’re doing it all over again in the ChicoBag & Green Halloween’s 2nd ANNUAL TRICK-OR-TREAT BAG DESIGN CONTEST with some fab new prizes.

The idea – Design a killer original design for a ChicoBag depicting the “spirit” of a Green Halloween. Children ages 1-13 can enter their original design up until October 24, 2009 by 5:00 PM Pacific Time.
The winner will have their design featured on ChicoBag sold through retailers nation-wide. (Last year’s bag was even featured on The Bonnie Hunt Show!). …read more