The most well-known and observed winter holiday in Utah, Christmas is usually a time for celebrating loved ones, giving, and reflections of gratefulness. At least, that is the intent behind it. Unfortunately some Christmas traditions can be quite damaging to the environment, which is the exact opposite of the intent behind Christmas if you ask us. Fortunately for the Christmas fiends among you looking for ways to be better for the planet, Garbett Homes wanted to offer you some tips to make your Christmases a little greener.
On Gift Giving
Our first tip is not only better for the environment, but it can also be a thrifty tip. And who doesn’t love a two-for-one?! When considering your gift giving for this Christmas, (or other winter gift giving holidays), don’t be afraid to go a little off what is typically done. Acts of service, homemade gifts, or even just buying something from a locally owned business instead of the big hot ticket item are all good ways to reduce your indirect carbon footprint this holiday season. While a worn-out platitude “it’s the thought that counts…” is still a very true statement to be considered in your gifting traditions. A bonus recommendation is to go for alternative wrapping paper styles that might be easier to recycle and reduce your use of tape as much as possible.
Trees
Go for a live tree. While artificial trees do prevent living trees from being cut down, when artificial trees wear out, they are extremely difficult to dispose of, especially if they have lights in them. Live trees offer you options that artificial trees do not. If you buy a potted tree you can have the same Christmas tree for two or three years that can then be replanted. Or if you don’t want the responsibility of caring for a young pine tree, you can work with the city to mulch the tree either for their landscaping uses, or for your own. And this is before bringing up how they will help reduce carbon emissions while the tree is raised on a tree farm. For all of these reasons we think live trees are the way to go.
Lights
Here’s where some might call us at Garbett Homes Scrooges. Unfortunately, modern Christmas decorations can amp up your power bill and counteract all that energy efficiency goodness your new Zero Energy Home is designed with. If you do use Christmas lights at all we recommend that you purchase energy efficient LED Mini-Lights and turn them off around bedtime. While this will not eliminate the energy efficiency losses Christmas Lights cause, it will help mitigate them.
As always Garbett Homes wants your new home to feel like your home. We think that these recommendations will help make your holiday celebrations in your new Utah home will help achieve that goal in a way that is kinder to the environment. If you have any more suggestions, please don’t hesitate to let us know in the comments; if you’re still looking to have a new home for your next Christmas, why not reach out to our new home specialist and get started on your new home today! Make an appointment with our new homes specialist at (801) 396-9095 & janie@garbetthomes.com