Becca Maldonaldo taught us in our December event to literally bring "Joy to the World," celebrating Christ's birth while caring for Creation.
Some ideas shared included basics like not buying what we don’t need or random gifts for others but try to make gifts or buy only what will be appreciated. Giving used items like a book inscribed for the recipient was an idea shared. Gifts of family history (details below), coupons for service, or gifts of music performed or art are all treasured gifts. Using recycled wrapping paper and ribbons or even using on-hand newsprint, recycled gifts bags, etc. reduces waste. Using single electric candles at windows reduces electricity use but looks festive. If you have outdoor lights, plan to use them for fewer hours on fewer days. Becca reminds us of light pollution problems for nocturnal creatures, especially insects. Create gifts and decorations using natural materials (see below).
If family and friends are willing, give gifts of donations to people in need or nonprofits making a difference in the world. (But maybe check first — I asked my Dad and he said “No way.” He wanted a gift for himself.) Becca reminds us that our earth stewardship can’t make us a Christmas Grinch. The key is to be thoughtful with a celebration focused on the gospel message of Christ’s birth.
Here's some easy Christmas projects for yourself or to make as gifts. Free or very low cost, low waste, high pleasure.
If you have children there are many fun ways to engage them in creating Christmas gifts. Here’s just one idea (and a great present for grandparents). Have a child trace his or her name on recycled cloth then stitch into an ornament. Optional: add a photo of the child to the other side of the ornament. Decorate with ribbon (recycled or already on hand if possible).
There are lots of wonderful gifts you can do for family and friends related to family history. One year I wrote a short history about various ancestors and shared with family members. My dad has written stories about his childhood memories for Christmas, a treasure. Another year my parents created photo albums (pre-digital) for us. There are lots of options and most are super high in value but low in creating waste.
Share Family Stories and Pictures
• Family photo album with pictures of you and family members through the years
• Stories of your childhood and young adult years
• Summary histories of individual ancestors
• Audio or video recording of your memories
Need Resources?
• FamilySearch.org – secure place for memories, stories and documents
• The Family History Guide - https://www.thefhguide.com/ - activities for children
• https://www.Wdcfhc.org – Virtual zoom classes; “Generations” newsletter - research tips
• Roots Tech February 25-27, 2021 – Free – sign up at FamilySearch.org
Ideas to use local plants to create gifts and decorations. Get creative — these are just the tip of possibilities.
1. Take a candle holder and circle it with a mix of short branches of evergreen or other plants. Pickup ornaments, etc. at yard sales or thrift stores -- and recycle ribbon from others. Fresh fruit can also be added and eaten later. Only light a candle within a safe container -- I once set candles on a plastic stand that melted and started a small fire! (Luckily it was outside.)
2. Create a wreath. See magnolia leaf wreath (partially made in photo) or my red wreath (purchased for almost nothing pre-used) that gets a new set of branches and dried flowers from the garden each year. No glue, just shove cut branches in and they help hold each other in place. Can also use twine or recycled ribbon to tie on a few base branches into which others are set.
3. Decorate mantels or shelves with cut branches. Simply set in place. Easy. Can set lights down first if desired. If using lights or candles use care — stay in the room when lit as a fire precaution.
Since we're thinking of ways to minimize impact (reduce, reuse, recycle): all decor items on the pink fireplace photo are from yard sales including framed art, candle holders, cut-glass bowls, etc. Only the gold ornaments were store bought. Even candles are second-hand! For the other the lovely wood vases were made by my grandpa, the painting by a sister, the wood candle holders and vase -- yard sales. I'm laughing as I think about it. Even the stocking with my name on it -- my mom recycled this stocking from one of her aunts who did not have children. She took off "Lola" and put on "Merikay".
4. Get Christmas tree branches for free where Christmas trees are sold. Use these branches to create decorations for stair railings or outdoor fencing, etc. For a stairway you can use twine, electric lights, or anything long to wind around the bannister first, then tuck the cut branches into this. It’s fast and easy. Lots of variations but the key is to use natural materials. Fresh greens also bring a real Christmas tree scent. I recycle the same ribbons year after year — plump up each year.
Use appropriate tools to cut. Photo below shows how you wrap the lights then slide the cut branches into place under the light wire. Fast and easy to put up and take down.
5. Tie or wire together branches for a door — doesn’t have to be wreath style. Can simply hang down — with a variety of plant textures and some pinecones, this can be lovely and look informal. A way to highlight the beauty of evergreens.
6. Use a variety of cut branches for fill empty flowerpots. Just trim back plants (it’s a good time to do this) and stick into potting soil of pot. For height and color use native plants like winterberry, red-twig and yellow-twig dogwood. Use contrasting colors and textures. (Photo above, far right, is from Mt. Cuba; others mine)
Tomato Cage Christmas Tree
7. Turn metal tomato cages upside down, tie or wire the top together and use as a metal Christmas tree frame. Set on a porch or on top of a large pot (to add height). Wrap wire frame with lights if desired. Then use cut branches (either all of one type or a mix) sliding them into place with short ones on top, long on the bottom. It’s easiest to start with the bottom and work up. Slide stems under and between the lights and metal frame. You could wrap with twine, recycled ribbon or string with cranberries. It takes about 30 minutes to make a tree and is a lovely gift, especially for someone who may not have another Christmas tree. (After Christmas reuse lights and tomato cage.) There are hundreds of examples online.
Below are photos for a tree designed to attract birds. Star on top is a suet feeder. If you do this style, be sure to clip any wire if used so it is not poking out to hurt birds. Ornaments are made of popcorn, real cranberries, bird seed and peanut butter on pinecones.
https://www.birdsandblooms.com/backyard-projects/diy-bird-feeder/tomato-cage-christmas-tree-birds/
Make fake real.
8. Take a small artificial tree (I have several that were being thrown out by others) and add cut branches of holly, pine or fir (any mix of interesting natural matter) and slide into the fake tree. Pretty soon all you see are the living branches. Takes only about 5 minutes to do. Makes a lovely table top decoration or a gift. I don’t bother to wire in any branches since I pull them out and compost after the holidays then store the fake tree as a frame for next year — I save with the ornaments and lights on so it’s very easy to redo the next year.
Below are before/after photos of an artificial tree with and without extra real branches.
Terri Pitts recycles her cards into gift boxes (photo above).
To listen to the Dec. 13 discussion: https://youtu.be/6qt0I1x5G8E
Sorry, but the first few minutes weren’t recorded but introduced LDSES’ mission and scriptures related to Creation. The video starts while Becca shares about Sharon Eubank’s recent talks to LDSES and ways that ties to our choices for Christmas.
Additional ideas are shared by Joanna Bjerga:
https://www.jojobjerga.com/.../29/my-zero-wastish-christmas/