Accidentally Green

Making Healthy Decisions That Honor God and Happen to Help the Environment

Give to Those Who Truly Need

Christmas is just a few days away, and you may be struggling with gift ideas for people who seem to have absolutely everything. Or others who are trying to downsize and declutter and have come right out and said they don’t want or need a thing.Have no fear. Plenty of people in this world do have needs. And you can pair a gift for someone in true need with a gift for someone who has it all. Very simply, give a gift to a needy person through a credible organization, and give it in the name ... Read more

This Christmas, Recycle by Regifting

Regifting can be a controversial Christmas topic. Some people love to regift old gifts, and some people like receiving someone else's old gift. Other people are appalled at the thought of giving or receiving something already given or received. But is it really much ado about nothing?   Looking at the practice from a green point of view, regifting is brilliant – as long as a couple basic rules are followed:   Regift confidently if you have never opened or used the gift in ... Read more

Gift Ideas that Make a House a Green Home

Most home-related gifts are pretty practical. But many times sensible gifts are welcome – and necessary. As much as I like a splurge on something I wouldn’t normally buy, I gravitate toward gifts that I know I need and will use all year long. Here are some practical yet environmentally friendly home-related gift ideas: Glass storage containers are always welcome in my home. It took my family quite a while to make the transition from plastic to glass, mainly because of the extra expense. ... Read more

Edible Gift Ideas

For gifts that are one-size-fits-all, think food. After all, most people like to eat.   One huge, environmentally friendly benefit to culinary gifts is the fact that they’re consumable … you won’t have to worry about disposing of them months or years later.   Here are several fantastic and fairly healthy food gift ideas: For people on your shopping list who are trying to live a healthier life, treat them to real food. Many people complain about the expense of organic ... Read more

Green Christmas Ideas for the Men on your List

Christmas gifts can be green for everyone on your list – especially men. Since men tend to be drawn to technology, mull over these gift ideas:Gift cards Depending on a man’s interests, consider giving them gift cards for: Digital Netflix, for movie lovers; MP3s, for music lovers; Gamefly, for gamers. Electronic media Like I suggested in my gift ideas for women, electronic readers like a Kindle can be a great gift idea.Car nuts If your guy’s into cars, treat him to ... Read more

Green Gift Ideas for the Women in your Life

As a woman who’s interested in living a greener kind of life, Christmas gift ideas abound. For one, I know there are so many cool products I won’t normally splurge on. But holiday gifts are such a perfect way to bless someone with surprises – and splurges. While I can’t speak for all environmentally friendly women out there, I’ve compiled some gift ideas that I think would make a Christmas merry and bright: Cosmetics I’ve written enough about bad products available out there, but did you ... Read more

What to Get Children This Christmas …

Last month I explained the importance of choosing safe toys for children – as well as the dangers of some toys and how they end up on store shelves. Today, I’d like to help you start thinking about creative and safe toy ideas for any young children on your shopping list. In a previous toy post I mentioned that wooden toys are safe but not always the most fun toys. I have to correct myself, though. Have you checked out Melissa & Doug’s toys? My children love playing with their wooden ... Read more

Avoiding Holiday Hazards

While Christmas often is called “the most wonderful time of the year,” it’s also a dangerous time of the year – especially for children and pets. As you gear up for a season of decorations and parties, watch for these common hazards: Decorations Probably the most dangerous element of the Christmas season is found in holiday lights. The light strands may cause shocks – especially if a pet or child chews on the cord. Overheated light sockets can cause shocks, too. The biggest danger, though, ... Read more

Making Healthy Holiday Eating Decisions

Like gifts and glitzy decorations, indulging in a little too much food has become a holiday norm. Splurging at numerous parties from Thanksgiving to New Year’s isn’t healthy, though. So what’s an Accidentally Green kind of approach to holiday dining? When you’re at a party, try to keep overeating to a minimum. If there’s a choice in plate sizes, grab the smaller plate. Fill your plate with healthy foods like fresh fruits and veggies, as well as mixed nuts. (Watch toddlers and infants ... Read more

Hosting Greener Holiday Parties

When it comes to hosting parties this December, try to use some environmentally friendly options: Making a green first impression Instead of sending party invitations, consider including an invitation along with your Christmas card. (Look for invites printed on recycled paper.) Or, to get even greener, simply use an online invitation – check out evite or Facebook. Plate it up While it may make dishwashing a pain, use reusable plates, glasses and napkins at your holiday festivities. (FYI: ... Read more

Is It Possible to Reduce Paper Use During the Holidays?

So many holiday traditions in America involve consumption. There’s the Christmas gift giving to people who already have so much. And all of those gifts need wrapped, so you use yards of wrapping paper and ribbons, along with glitzy gift bags, tissue paper and bows. Don’t forget about Christmas cards. There’s just so much waste. My family is as guilty of the paper profusion as any other family. Is there a way to cut back on using so much during this “most wonderful time of the year”? I ... Read more

Does a Green Christmas Have to Look Boring?

Are lavish holidays the norm for your family? Many years I find myself getting caught up in trying to find the “right” gifts, wrap them attractively, all the while baking dozens of homemade goodies and festively decorating my home.   I love Christmas. Even with all of the fuss, it’s my favorite time of year. But … is it all a little too much? After all, Christmas had humble beginnings. Yes, God sent His son to this earth in a miraculous virgin birth – yet it was in a stable. No ... Read more

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