Have a Jolly Green Holiday

Elvis had his hit song Blue Christmas and Bing sang White Christmas. We need someone to sing about having a Jolly Green Holiday. No matter what holiday you celebrate during this season, remember to continue to “Go Green.” Here are suggestions of how to do that:

- Give gifts of poinsettias, live plants or fresh flowers
- Consider giving a fresh flower subscription to someone so they can receive flowers all year long. Better yet, provide a monthly bouquet from your garden to someone special  
-Avoid using disposable table settings during holiday celebrations
-Repurpose greenery used during the holiday 10 Things to Do With Your Christmas Tree After the Holidays – Aisles of Life  I love an ornamental pillow I have that is filled with Balsam fir.

-Forage for your decorations. Decorate with evergreen boughs, berries, and pinecones. Compost them after the holidays
-Recycle by wrapping gifts with dish towels, maps, Sunday newspaper comics, reusable tote bags, scarves, or craft paper. Most traditional wrapping paper can’t be recycled
-Give the gift of an experience – gift tickets to a sporting event or concert, movie passes; pay for classes/lessons such as music lessons or a cooking class;  Provide memberships to the zoo, a children’s museum membership or National or state park passes
-Give the gift of time – Offer to babysit, clean a house, or to weed a garden 
-Gift a friend something that is precious to you. Gifts do not have to be new or bought in a store to be appreciated
-Minimize gift giving. More doesn’t mean better
-Give homemade gifts. My favorite gifts have been lavender sachets, edibles, quilted pillows, and ornaments made by grandchildren.

-Shop locally and support small businesses
-Never feel because someone gives you a gift you need reciprocate. Obligation should not play a part in gift giving. Give and receive from the heart
-Participate in the annual Christmas Day Bird count Audubon Christmas Bird Count | Audubon   or  Join the Annual Christmas Bird Count | Eartheasy Guides & Articles
-Decorate a tree for the birds How to Have a Wildlife-Friendly Christmas Tree – Chirp Nature Center (chirpforbirds.com)
-Send e-cards instead of mailing traditional holiday cards
-Email or text gift cards instead of purchasing plastic ones and mailing them
-Consider using LCD lighting and limit your light display
-Participate in helping to place wreaths on veterans’ graves  Home - Wreaths Across America
-Deliver some fruit or food baskets PLANT AMERICA, FEED AMERICA | National Garden Clubs, Inc.
-Donate NGC Youth books to a library, school or the children in your life  Shop NGC Products | National Garden Clubs, Inc.
-Make a donation to National Garden Clubs before the end of the year. Forever Growing Online Donation Form (wufoo.com) or donate towards the Path of Success in someone’s honor https://gardenclubwebsite.wufoo.com/forms/z1fm1n1o1ufjm23/

The greatest gift we can give is the gift of ourselves to others and our earth. Let us give unselfishly, without announcement, or obligation, or reservation or hypocrisy. Have a wonderfully green holiday season!

The views and opinions expressed in the National Garden Clubs, Inc. (NGC) blog are solely those of the original author(s) and other contributors. These views and opinions do not necessarily reflect those of NGC.