Cheap, easy, green Christmas tree ornaments

Christmas tree decorating the traditional old fashioned way has always included handmade inexpensive decorations. The most special ornaments on many family trees are simply made. Why not make them green too?

Decoupage mosaic for old ornaments

If you have aging ornaments that are losing their finish, why not decoupage them in a mosaic pattern with old wrapping paper scraps? Just glue paper scraps on. Let the glue dry. Now, brush with non-toxic decoupage glue. Presto, you have a beautiful recycled ornament.

Marble and wire ornaments

Recycle old marbles. These shiny gems will make your green Christmas tree sparkle. Simply spiral copper craft jewelry wire around each marble and form a hanging hook at the end. It's a Christmas craft anyone can do.

Gilded apples

You've got red artificial apples on your Christmas tree. The finish is wearing off. Recycle them with a little fresh paint. Simply hang them from your outdoor clothesline and spray them with non-toxic diluted craft paint. Or decoupage them for a unique look.

Recycled yarn ornaments

You can make over-sized string ornaments for your outdoor Christmas trees using recycled bits of leftover yarn, balloons and flour. Dip yarn pieces in flour and water. Blow up the balloons and wrap them with the wet yarn. Let dry. Pop the balloon and your green ornament is done.

Paper mache star tree toppers

Use wire from old coat hangers to make a star shape. Cut an old newspaper into strips. Dip the strips of newspaper in flour and water. Wrap them around the star shape. Let dry. Paint your recycled tree topper ornament any color you wish with non-toxic craft paint.

Barbie angels

If your child has outgrown their barbie dolls, don't throw them away. Barbie dolls make great recycled angel tree ornaments. Dress them in a fancy blouse. Use scrap fabric to make a cone shaped skirt. Spray the skirt with fabric stiffener and let dry. Now you have a green angel tree topper.

Wrapped blocks

Old wooden building blocks and recycled gift wrap become ornaments. Simply wrap the blocks as you would a present. Tie with a pretty bow for hanging.

Permanent paper snowflakes

Recycled paper snowflakes are fun to cut out and environmentally friendly. Unfortunately, they're only good for one season. How about making them more long lasting? Just hang them from the clothesline, spray with clear, non-toxic acrylic spray and let dry.

Cookies

This is one of the most green ornaments you could hang on any Christmas tree. Why? It's a no waste project. Just bake them, hang them and eat them. Don't forget to make a hole for the hanging string. Save the string for next year's cookies too.

Recycled ornament hangers.

Why buy ornament hangers for your green ornaments? You can make recycled Christmas ornament hangers easily with old paper clips. For green paperclip ornament hangers, simply unbend the paper clip and pull one stem out at an angle. Leftover yarn pieces work too. Just tie and hang.

Cheap green Christmas gifts for pets

These green Christmas gifts for pets are inexpensive and easy to make. You can re-purpose or use ecofriendly items to make special holiday treats and toys for Fido and Fluffy. Why spend a fortune on pet gifts for Christmas when you don't have to? Goodness knows, your shopping list is long enough already! And overspending is far from green.

Quick catnip toys

Use fabric scraps or cheap new fabric to make all sorts of catnip filled toys for kitty this Christmas. Be sure fabric is washed before use to remove factory pesticides. Cut into shapes, fill and sew together for quick toys. Not a seamstress? Make easy green catnip toys by laying catnip on a fabric circle. Pull up the corners. Tie a ribbon around it to keep catnip in. If kitty tears it open, don't worry. It won't harm them.

Homemade dog treats

Make your own homemade dog treats and food as low cost green Christmas gifts. Pet food recalls are scary for pet owners. Why not make your own healthy recipes and treats for Fido? There are plenty of recipes available online. Wrap them up in a pretty bow for Christmas.

Food gifts for rodents

Pets don't care if their Christmas gifts are wrapped. How about making your pet rodent a special salad or meal for Christmas? Why shouldn't pets have a holiday meal? This inexpensive gift for pets is simple to make. Not sure what fresh food and nuts are safe for your pet rodent? Check with your vet to be safe.

Gifts for the birds

Birds like Christmas gifts too. Check your bird manual to see what treats are appropriate for their breed. Don't forget the outdoor birdies! Pine cones can be spread with peanut butter and rolled in seeds as a cheap Christmas gift. Hang fruit slices up in trees or bird cages as edible holiday decor.

Cat grass

Grass is green in more ways than one. You can buy small "patches" of cat grass in the pet store for kitty this Christmas. This is an awesome inexpensive pet gift. Indoor cats will love having their own little grass patch. Consider making a larger patch using a cardboard flat, some soil and seed. Check with the pet store to see which seed is best for kitty tummies.

Pull rope

A tug of war rope for dogs makes an excellent green Christmas gift. Simply braid several strands of organic cotton rope together. Knot at the ends. Homemade stuffed toys for doggies can be made from scrap fabric and a little stuffing. Keeps puppies from chewing up shoes, toys, slippers and the couch.

Mitten toy

Here's a fun Christmas gift for pets. Use an old winter glove whose mate is lost.

For dogs, stuff with fabric and sew up the opening.

For kitties, sew dangling items from each finger. Use yarn, jingle bells or whatever else your kitty might enjoy playing with. Slip the glove on your hand and wiggle your fingers to make dangling items entice kitty.

Paper, plastic or pillowcase

Plastic bags are becoming an epidemic.

• They make their home under the kitchen sinks of millions of Americans.
• They drift down the street like lone ghosts and roost in the trees.
• They float along in scenic streams and rivers all across the country.
• They are not alive yet seemingly multiply.
• They fly out of city dumpsters in massive swarms to overtake the world.

The plastic bags epidemic is spreading.

• It must be wiped out at all cost.
• The solution is within our grasp.
• Plastic bags are taking over.
• We must take drastic steps to fight this epidemic while we can.

Some cities are banning disposable plastic bag use.

What can you do if yours isn't one of them?

Return all plastic bags.

Gather all remains. Root them out from under the sinks and hiding holes of thy habitat and return them to the originators of this tragic epidemic. Proceed in a gleeful manner to the source of the epidemic with said plastic bags. Greet these persons with care, lest they not accept the plastic bags which have been so diligently collected. Lest ye forget, many fair vendors do offer monies in exchange for the return of their plastic bags.

Rebel against the retail gods.

Be heard by the leaders of the epidemic. Break out of the plastic bags mold. Just say no to bringing home more plastic bags. Cease adding to the supply by stopping the demand. Curtail the endless plastic bag pollution that hath scathed the nation. Cry out against evil plastic bags conspirators. 

Say boldly unto them, "No thank you for I have brought my own bag, kind sir or madame, and I intend to use it against this outrageous epidemic!"

Choose an alternative.

Anything that holds purchases and carries easily may be utilized as a plastic bag substitute. A box, a carton, or a pillowcase. Take thy pillowcase to the store rather than spreading the plastic bags epidemic. Make a fool of yourself but stop this ridiculousness before it stops you. Frequent establishments where cloth bags can be purchased and used repeatedly. Make thine own bag using old blue jeans or by tying together a sweat shirt. Do anything man, time is of the essence.

Shop proudly with your new bag.

Hold your head high in the aisles of the finest shopping establishments. Wave your knotted sweatshirt with pride as you boldly fight this sad epidemic. Sneer and chuckle at the plastic bag people. Thou art far superior. Nod to the clerk as you proudly submit your pillowcase to be filled to overflowing. Sleep easily tonight my friend, for the plastic bags epidemic has been swiftly averted.

What the heck is a green hoarder? Are you one?

Is it even possible to hoard and still be green? Well, that depends on what you are hoarding. If you're into purses for all occasions, that's not very green. If you buy what you hoard by conventional means, you're just adding to the waste. On the other hand, if your hoarding involves one of the items below, you might just be a green hoarder.

Do you hoard construction site leftovers?

If so, you're a green hoarder. Your yard may be a mess. Still, the next time you need to replace something on or in your home, you won't have to buy it new. This habit is even more environmentally friendly when you share with others. Why keep it all to yourself? You can prevent a lot of unnecessary waste by saving and/or sharing leftover construction materials.

Do you shop yard sales to feed your hoarding habit?

Are half the dishes in your kitchen from yard sales? Do you accumulate long lasting, high quality items like cast iron pots and pans from estate sales? Do you look for used items before paying retail? Hoarding only used items means you've taken yourself out of the supply/demand cycle.
Manufacturers generate less waste and use less resources when we consume less.

Do you hoard recyclables?

If so, you are among the best of all possible green hoarders. Rather than creating waste, you're saving the earth from piles upon piles of trash. Recycling is not only an Eco-friendly practice, it's wallet friendly too. Your garage may be a disaster in between trips to the recycler, but your collection is as green as it gets.

Craigslist and Freecycle provide plenty of green hoarding opportunities.

Learn to love the free section of Craigslist. Once again, you're sending a message to manufacturers to produce less, or at least, not more. If you weed out the spam and businesses, you can find good quality used items for sale too. The only drawback to this green hoarding opportunity is, you have to be fast. That free stuff gets snapped up like hotcakes on National Pancake Day.

Are you a dumpster diving hoarder?

Be cautious. Dumpster diving is illegal in some places. If not, go ahead and do all the dumpster diving you can. It's surprising what people throw away. You might find recyclables or just nice used items. Some department stores toss returned items frequently. Some people even dumpster dive for food. That's not my cup of tea, but who am I to judge?

So, yes, there is such a thing as green hoarding. You can be a green hoarder if you hoard used environmentally safe products. You'll notice, however, that I didn't say anything about hoarders being neat and clean. Most aren't. But hey, there are always exceptions. Who knows? You could be the first, cleanest, greenest, neat freak hoarder ever.

Green alternatives to a grass lawn

Pretty perennials like this Jasper's Beard save water!

What's the big deal about having a grass lawn anyway? I see a lot of media emphasis placed on having a lush, green grass lawn. Most of it stems from companies trying to sell you chemical fertilizers and pesticides. No thank you! There are plenty of alternatives to a green lawn that won't impact future generations negatively. If you can grow a green lawn without chemical usage, you have my blessing. As for me, I'm seeking some other options to save both water and the environment.

Do you really need all that grass in the back yard?

When we moved into our fixer upper, we were faced with a huge yard filled with native weeds. We made a decision to gradually rid ourselves of the “lawn”, one project at a time. It's going to be a long process. Right now we have an area of raised bed/bucket gardens, a fire-pit area started in one corner and a hugelkultur. In the middle is an area of weedy lawn. As we progress, the weedy area will become paths through some pretty garden beds and features.

What are some ideas for the front lawn, that don't involve grass?

Here in Denver, we use something called Xeriscaping.

It's a technique where native plants abound. The idea is to plant flowers, herbs and other natives that use less water as an alternative to a green lawn. The plants are scattered among rocks and other interesting landscaping features. I've seen some truly original lawns since moving to Denver. That alone is reason to consider this option.

You can grow organic veggies in the front yard.

Some municipalities frown on this practice, while others sing it's praises. Get around the naysayers by scattering your veggies in flower beds. They'll blend right in. I know one local gardener who encourages her neighbors to help themselves to her front yard veggies. She has a garden in the back for just her family. I love her idea! I'm going to try to incorporate it into my next project.

I'm a big fan of English gardens.

Unfortunately, the climate here is semi-arid. We don't get the rain they do in England. Most traditional English garden flowers require more water than I can afford to give them. So, I've come up with a great idea for my front yard. I'm going to try mixing Xeriscape with English garden style and small grassy areas for something totally unique.

What if you really love your grassy green lawn?

Maybe you have future football players in your family. Maybe you just love the look. Whatever your reason for keeping your grassy lawn, you can do it in an ecofriendly way. Start by checking your local home improvement store for non-chemical fertilizers and pesticides. You can also plant grasses or stepable plants that use less water.

Having a green lawn doesn't necessarily mean you must have conventional grass or use chemicals and tons of water to maintain it. When it comes to a fabulous lawn and garden, you can go green and still have it all.

Are fabric toxins lurking in your kids' clothes and bedding?

Sadly, even natural fabrics can be treated with toxins.

What are your kids' clothes made of? Could they be toxic? How do you clean them? Do you bleach your kids' bedding to keep it germ free? If so, your kids could be breathing and absorbing toxins as they sleep. Are fabric toxins lurking in your kids' rooms, either on or in clothes and bedding? Here's how to be safe when choosing and caring for your kids' clothing and linens.

Your kids' clothing may be chemically treated.

Today's clothing industry often adds pesticide and stain repellant to textiles. This is true, whether we are talking about blue jeans or bed sheets. In addition, fire resistant chemicals are routinely used in sleepwear and more. Kids with sensitive skin may react to the chemicals in new clothing. As for the rest, they are still exposed through skin absorption.

What to do:

*Wash new clothing several times before use.

*If reactions still occur, soak in lemon juice and water to detoxify. Then rinse thoroughly.

Wash kids' clothes and bedding with care.

Most conventional detergents, bleaches and stain removers contain highly toxic chemicals. Because of its' toxicity, chlorine bleach is one of the worst things you can use on your kids' clothing. For years we have been taught this is the best way to kill germs. Actually, there are other ways to wash, disinfect and bleach clothing without using chemicals.

What to do:

*Avoid dry clean only fabrics. The conventional dry cleaning process involves chemical washing.

*Wash clothes with vinegar and baking soda.

*Bleach clothing with lemon juice and hydrogen peroxide.

*Disinfect clothing with thyme extract. This is made by seeping thyme in clear vodka.

Which fabrics are most likely to contain chemical residues?

Synthetic fabrics are actually chemically produced. Some are not fabric at all, but different forms of plastics made with a petroleum base. You best bet is to purchase natural fiber fabrics such as cotton and wool. It's important to remember, not all natural fabrics are free from chemical treatment. In fact, a great deal of the cotton fabric available has been heavily treated with pesticides.

What to do:

Be sure the natural fabrics you buy for your family are labeled 100% organic.

Kids' room carpeting likely contains toxins.

The majority of carpeting in homes is made from synthetic materials. In order to insure easy clean up, most carpet is treated with stain resistant chemicals. Some carpet is treated with fire resistant chemicals as well. Between the make up of the carpet and all these added chemicals, that makes carpeting a real health hazard. When kids walk on the carpet in their rooms, particularly if it's new carpet, these chemicals can be transported into their bedding via their clothing.

What to do:

*Opt for tile or untreated hardwoods.

*Use organic natural fiber throw rugs.

Greening your moving trash

Moving creates a ton of trash, doesn't it? And not just trash, but also piles of things you have no wish to take with you. What can you do with it all? What are some ways to stay green while disposing of unwanted items when you move?

Have a yard sale. The more items people have to buy new, the more resources they use. Price it low so that they're more likely to buy it. After all, the object isn't to make a profit, it's to reduce the amount of things you have to dispose of.

Dropping your used, unwanted items off at a local thrift store has dual benefits. Doing so keeps them from wasting away at the landfill, which is decidedly green. You'll also bring more money into the community through their sales.

Maybe you'd rather donate your goods to a local charity, such as a homeless shelter? If so, call ahead first to see what they'll accept. There are also those donation boxes you'll often see in shopping plaza parking lots. Either way, they'll be put to good use. And either is always an environmentally friendly alternative.

You can drop large branches, etc. off at a business that makes mulch. Vegetable scraps that you've generated while packing and getting ready can go to someone who does composting, if you really want to go all green with the move.

What about the actual trash? If you really want to dispose of it in a green manner, make sure that it's all just trash. Sort out the recyclables. Fold and tie the cardboard for pick-up. If there's any lawn trash involved, bundle it according to city specification.

Try not to create future trash while moving.

Wrap fragile items in towels to cut down on paper use. You have to bring the towels anyway. Might as well put them to good use.

Leave clothes in dresser drawers for the move instead of using additional boxes. Remove the drawers for carrying, then slide them back into the dresser and secure them for the move.

You can do the same with bookshelves. Just lay them on the floor and fill them with the books that go on them. Other items can be stacked on top of them and it saves boxes.

If you think green with all of your moving activities, you can likely come up with other ways to be conserve resources while moving. Just ask yourself, “How can I do this greener?” Chances are, you'll come up with more green moving solutions on your own.