Stimuli

It is Christmas time and we all want to have festive homes with dazzling decorations. We want to use pretty wrapping for our gifts and surround ourselves with things that add to the ambience like candles and scents. In the past not much consideration went into either the production or consumption of all things Christmas, but now we are much more aware and concerned about how our choices affect our health and the health of the planet.  Today there is a real desire to make healthy, eco-friendly choices. The great news is you don’t have to give up an ounce of style when you go green. Here are three great ways to go green with style this Christmas!    


Healthy All Natural Candles           
Organic and natural items are sometimes more expensive than the alternative. This is the case with candles. Soy candles and Beeswax candles are the natural alternative to regular candles. Initially the cost could be a deterrent, but when you know the facts about regular candles the benefits of going natural far outweigh any extra cost. For example most candles are made from a petroleum based wax which is a byproduct of fuel refining. The smoke from these candles contain up to eleven known carcinogenic compounds.

There is a brand of Soy candles out there called Simplicity. They are amazingly clean burning and come in many beautiful scents. You can find Simplicity candles at the HouseWarmings store located at Grandview Corners. Beeswax candles too are a much healthier option. They are non-toxic, non-allergenic and non-carcinogenic and can be found in many natural food and health stores.

Repurposed Wrapping Paper
We always hear the mantra, “Re-use Reduce Re-cycle.” I think more and more people are doing that when it comes to wrapping presents. A new green concept might be to repurpose the paper you use for gift wrapping. For the traveller or wannabe traveller in your life you could wrap their gift in a map. For the musician/music lover in your life try wrapping their gift with old sheet music or an old band poster. On top of this being a thrifty and eco friendly idea it is also a great way to personalize your gifts. This thoughtful touch is sure to be noticed and appreciated. 

Natural Decorations and Scents
There is nothing like bringing fresh boughs of greenery indoors. Besides smelling wonderful and looking fabulous, you’ll have the peace of mind that when Christmas is over the boughs will totally breakdown without having any lasting negative effect on the environment. If you are worried about scratching up your mantle or having a mess with needles, here is a fantastic way to avoid both of those things. All you need is a length of wood, the proper depth and length for your mantle and a staple gun. Just arrange the boughs and staple them onto your piece of wood. You’ll be able to take it on and off the mantle easily without any scratching. To eliminate the possibility of dropping needles you can keep your arrangement outdoors until a few days before Christmas so your greenery is as fresh as possible. At the first signs of drying you can remove the greenery and leave it outside. 

Another beautiful green idea is to use nuts, cranberries and oranges in your decorating. Not only are they beautiful, they are completely biodegradable and economical. You can enjoy the glorious smells of Christmas naturally by studding oranges with cloves and or simmering apple cider with mulling spices on the stove top. If you haven’t already discovered how amazing mulled hot apple cider tastes and smells when you make it at home I hope you give it a try this season.

When you go green you don’t have to give up a thing when it comes to style. Your home will look and smell just as wonderful as any other Christmas but you will have the added benefit of experiencing the amazing feeling that comes from celebrating the season with mindfulness.  

by Christina Kristensen
Stimuli Magazine Contributor

Photo Credits:
applestonecottage.blogspot.com
countryliving.com