How to Cut Costs By Going Green During the Holidays

Photo Credit: Image via Pixabay by freefaithgraphics

San Juan Update reader from California Paul Denikin shares some more green tips with you – this time for the holidays…

The holiday season is a time of wonder and joy, but it can also be a major crunch on your finances. Going green isn’t just good for the environment, it can also help you save some green over the busy holiday season. Here are a few holiday tips to help you save some cash while also being a bit kinder to the environment.

Make Your Own Greeting Cards Using Recycled Paper
Greeting cards can be expensive, and they can also contribute to paper waste. Make your own cards with a special, personal touch using recycled paper and other materials. You’ll save a few bucks, make a big impression, and ease a little environmental stress at the same time.

Keep Holiday Parties Small
Yes, the holidays are a festive time of year, but that doesn’t mean you have to throw a shindig to satisfy every single one of your Facebook friends. To minimize waste and energy use, keep your holiday parties small and intimate. When you do, you can use your own plates and utensils rather than disposable ones, avoid waste by cooking less food, and minimize energy use by encouraging everyone to group together in the same room.

Reuse Gift Bags, Boxes, and Bows
Think about it: You purchase expensive gift bags, boxes, and bows every year. They’re used and, in many cases, minimally abused in the course of the few weeks leading up to the holidays. Why toss those perfectly good boxes, bags, and bows in the trash? Reuse anything that’s still in good shape from year to year. Wrapping more gifts in boxes and bags that can be reused will cut down on paper waste from gift wrap, too.

Go Local to Purchase Holiday Gifts
Purchase locally and from small businesses, where you can often find items made from eco-friendly materials that are good for the environment and cost less than expensive, mass-production consumer products.

Remember, Gifts Don’t Have to Be Store-Bought or Expensive
Do you have a friend or family member who loves crafts? Think about trying your hand at making some gifts for friends and family this year. Not every gift must be purchased in a store, and gifts need not cost a lot of money, either. A thoughtful gift that you spent time making yourself, such as a candle with organic, eco-friendly accents, is the perfect gift for an environmentally-minded friend and is often more meaningful than something you could purchase at a store.

Carpool to Parties and Gatherings
The holiday season is a time when many people are traveling great distances to enjoy some quality time with family and friends. When you’re heading out to parties and family gatherings, consider carpooling with other guests. It will save you a few bucks on gas and will reduce your carbon footprint for the year, too.

Opt for LEDs Instead of Incandescent Lights for Holiday Décor
If you’re big on decorating inside and out with lights, your home probably looks beautiful, but your electric bill? Not so much. Cut down on electricity costs by switching to LED lights. They cost more to purchase upfront, but use far less electricity and will last for 10 years or more. Over time, you’ll actually save money by using LEDs instead of incandescent lights. And be sure to stay safe as you’re installing all them.

Use a Timer to Minimize Electricity Consumption
Another trick to cut down on your massive electricity consumption during the holiday season is to put your holiday lighting on a timer. That means you don’t have to remember to turn the lights on or off each evening – the timer ensures they come on at a set time and go off at a set time each day – so you won’t inadvertently use more electricity than is absolutely necessary.

Plan Your Shopping Trips Strategically
If you’re traveling to a shopping center that’s a good distance from your home, think about planning a group shopping trip to save on gas. You can also plan your other shopping trips strategically so you’ll make fewer trips overall to various stores while you do your holiday shopping. Make lists of what you need to purchase and research purchases ahead of time so that you know where to go to get the best deals. Likewise, you can plan to visit several stores in the same area on the same trip, avoiding multiple trips back and forth that ultimately waste not only gas, but your time, as well.

You don’t have to spend the next 12 months recovering from the holiday budget crunch. With a little creativity and thoughtful planning, you can go green this holiday season and save a bit of green, too. What’s good for the environment is also good for your wallet.

You can support the San Juan Update by doing business with our loyal advertisers, and by making a one-time contribution or a recurring donation.