Clean Up Your Holidays

Get out the packing boxes and old newspaper – it’s time to clean up your holidays!

What a whirlwind season it’s been. With everything that happened in 2009, 2010 is sure to be another monumental year for all things green.

But enough about the grander scale, let’s get down to business: How are you going to get the holidays wrapped and 2010 moving forward? And, what can we learn from this past season to implement for next year?

If you’ve got a few of the ol’ decorations that need to go back into storage, here are a few easy ways to make sure you save some cash and resources as you take down the holidays.

Tired of the same old snowman? To someone else, he's brand new! Get new decorations for next year by trading with friends. Photo: Flickr/blahmni

1. Assess Your Inventory

Before you start to take down your decor in a fit of organizational glee, hold up for just a moment: Do you really want all that stuff?

Sure, family heirlooms and favorites are must-keeps for next year’s festivities, but perhaps there are a few trinkets and treasures that might be more appreciated by someone else. (Come on, confess – we know you really don’t like Great Aunt Delores’ newest snowman statue, even though you kindly accepted it.)

If you’re just tired of what you’ve got, there’s no point in throwing it in the trash. But the best part about this scenario is that you’re not alone. People around the country are asking themselves, “Do I really want this anymore?”

So, what to do with unwanted holiday baubles and trinkets? It’s easy:

• Share and share alike – Grab a few friends and neighbors and have a simple get-together at your home. You can have a white elephant swap where everyone brings one (or a few) decorations that they no longer desire. You’ll probably acquire items that you’ll really enjoy, and you’ll be relieved to drop that snowman off with someone who truly appreciates it. Or, if no one in your immediate circle seems to bite at the swap idea, try sites like Meetup to see if you can start a local decoration swap group in your area.
• Donate the rest - If you still have items that you wouldn’t like to reuse next year, take your decorations to local donation drop-offs like Goodwill and the Salvation Army. Also, there may be a shelter or church that could use some updated decor for next year. Even though the season is over, you can still spread a little cheer to those who need it most.

2. Pack It Up

So now that you’ve only got what you really want for next year, get packing! If you received gifts in the mail (hopefully in sturdy boxes), reuse these containers to pack your decor. If you’re short on packing gear, try a network like Freecycle or Craigslist to see if you can find anyone near you that’s looking to get rid of a few boxes. And when in doubt, you can always “think outside the box” (forgive the pun, we couldn’t resist) and try old luggage for an easy-to-use repository.

Strips of paper or catalogs make great packing material for even the most delicate items. Grab your scissors and get to it! Photo: Flickr/Squid!

Once your containers are in order, safely storing items for next year is a must-do. Not only will this prevent unnecessary breakage (and future expenditures if you have to replace anything), but it will also keep your items in tip-top shape so they look fresh for next year.

If you’re wondering what’s around the house that you can use to keep your stuff safe, try a few of these recyclable options:

• Newspaper or magazine pages
• Old blankets, clothing or towels that are no longer suitable for their original use
• Egg cartons to store smaller items
• Recycled packing peanuts from previous shipping use
• Biodegradable packing peanuts
• Bubble wrap from previous use (don’t pop the bubbles! We know, it’s so tempting…)
• Tissue paper from holiday presents

This may not be a comprehensive list, but the idea remains the same: You don’t always have to buy expensive organizational equipment or brand-new packing materials. There are items all around your home that you can use that, with a little creative thinking, are easy to access and won’t cost a dime.

If you haven't yet, try opting for recyclable wrapping options to lessen the eco-impact of your holiday gift-giving next year. Photo: Flickr/pinprick

3. Evaluate

Now that the holidays are a wrap, let’s evaluate how you rated on your own green scale. You may be tired of the concept, but analyzing your previous performance to improve your future endeavors isn’t just good for the office. While the ways in which you may have made your holiday season more eco-friendly are too numerous to list here, we’ll give you our top three picks to keep in mind for next year:

1. The trash – The amount of waste we produce increases almost 25 percent during the holiday season. This is due to a number of factors, including gift wrap and gift giving, parties (think paper plates, plastic tableware, disposable tablecloths, etc.) and perhaps a bit of overindulgence in the food and treats category. So, if you were aiming to reduce this waste, how did it go? If you’re looking for an easy to way evaluate and improve your output, try our fool-proof method to audit your trash and apply these techniques next year!

2. The tree – If you still went the artificial route this year but found out that real is the green way to go, 2010 will be your year for a real tree. Not only are they totally recyclable and support sustainable farming techniques, but they also smell lovely! And for a super-green upgrade, try buying a potted tree next year that can be replanted in your home or neighborhood. If you have an artificial tree that you’re looking to toss, be sure to donate it as it isn’t recyclable.

3. The wrap – Oh gift wrap. It’s often a decorative necessity of giving gifts over the holidays, but it’s not always gentle on the environment. Wrapping paper and shopping bags alone account for about 4 million tons of trash annually in the U.S. And the gift wrap industry is a big business – consumers spend almost $2.6 billion annually on the paper, bags and trinkets that adorn our presents. So when it comes time to green your gift wrap for next year, try recycled and recyclable paper, fabric wraps or nothing at all!