Try to remember this holiday season that one change can make a huge difference, especially when your family and close friends are around you. A couple of years ago, I asked that my family wrap all of our gifts in newspaper (yes, I know, the print does come off on your hands,) but black hands aside, they came up with the most gorgeous and imaginative designs and no one felt guilty about ripping it off and stuffing it into the recycling bin. This one step/change gave rise to all kinds of chit chat about conserving resources that we might never had had otherwise. There’s also something rather depressing about ripping off giftwrap, only to stuff it in a black trash bag, especailly when it’s kids doing the ripping, as they just want to whip it off as quickly as they can.
However small your Green step may have been this holiday, it can only serve to inspire everyone who visits your home. It may be that you’ve decided to use cloth napkins instead of paper, or that you’re preparing a veggie holiday meal or one with an Organic turkey. You may be giving an eco-friendly gift or two. My mother-in-law has just helped me wash my little Phoebe (rescued Maltese) with my homemade/non-toxic doggie shampoo. It not only saved me a fortune, as our local groomer is very pricey, but Phoebe got saved from being exposed to a bunch of toxic chems, and my mother-in-law is taking the recipe back to Georgia so all her dog-loving friends can do the same.
Positive actions are like ripples. You may not see the results immediately, but trust that someone, somewhere will be inspired by your enthusiasm and passion for change.
