Red and Green Tips on Finding an Eco Christmas Tree and Living Christmas Trees

Today is day too in Summer’s Red and “Green” event here on Mom Start. We’re bringing you tips on turning your house into an eco friendly green house. Yesterday’s Tip from Summer was all about Eco Advent Calendars. Today Summer brings us some tips on Christmas Trees:

Get your tree! It surprises some people that environmentalist actually endorse using real trees in decorating. Fake trees last forever — in your house and in a landfill. Fake trees also cause MORE allergens as they collect dust year after year. Real Christmas trees are grown for the holidays on tree farms. These farms cut down a select number of trees each year and cycle their land so they can offer trees each year. These farms also replant what they harvest. Not only can you get your tree at the store or from a parking lot vendor BUT many of these tree farms allow people to u-cut their own tree (saws and such materials are typically provided). Another fresh option is getting a permit from your local national forest or park to u-cut (no supplies provided, bring your own). See December 31 for a green way to get rid of your real tree.

christmas treeFor my family, we have to use a fake tree because my sister in law is allergic to real trees. I do love the smell of a real tree, but that’s exactly what she is allergic to. So this is one step we can’t join any of you on. Being the savvy blogger that I am though, I found out that in California you can have a live, living tree.

There is a way to reduce some of the stress while preparing for the holidays – and reduce your environmental impact while you’re at it?  The Living Christmas Company allows customers to order a tree, have it delivered and picked up from the comfort of their couch.  This way, you can get back to what’s important: running everything.

The Living Christmas Company rents to its customers (currently Greater LA area) a live potted tree, which is kept alive all year long, so households can enjoy the experience of a live tree every year.  The Living Christmas Company is a unique way to celebrate the holidays while helping the environment.  With prices starting as low as $25 (plus delivery), prices are competitive with buying a tree from a cut tree lot. 

In addition to helping the environment, renting a tree from The Living Christmas Company will improve the safety of your home.  It is proven that a live tree is more fire resistant than its plastic or cut counterparts.  Also families are able to rent the exact tree from the previous year, adding another “branch” to your family tree for the holidays.

About Summer:

Summer is the President of our Local MOMS Club chapter, she is the mother of two adorable active boys, and is always thinking of ways to help others. She is a friend, a wife, and always busy as all mommies are. She is very active on Facebook, addicted to Geocaching and very interested in organic and green living.

Red and Green Advent Calendar Ideas

Happy Holidays, it’s December first and yes, I really am inspired to be more green. I have always been afraid that I just can’t be green but one of the things that I learned at the Great Wolf Lodge Ecomoms event was that it all starts with baby steps. I recruited my friend Summer to help us with some of those baby steps and she has put together, MomStart’s Red and Green Event.

IMG_6975So for December 1st, Summer has some ideas on Advent Calendars and what to put in your advent calendar:

Day one of going green for the holidays with Mom Start. Take your advent calendar and in each day place a piece of paper with holiday activities you and your family can do together. This will cut down on all those useless trinkets plus if you invest in a reusable calendar then you also have less waste that way too. Include things like: make bird/squirrel feeders from popcorn, nuts and dried fruit; making a spare plate of goodies for a in family need; get your real tree (check back with Mom Start tomorrow for more on selecting a Christmas tree); make a tie-knot fleece blanket as a family and donate it.

My favorite advent calendar is one that I bought from Starbucks about five years ago give or take a year. Wow, that makes me realize that my daughter is about to turn four. Oh, sad. Anyways, it’s been great using the same one every year, we can refill it and now thanks to Summer, I realize I’ve been green all along and never even realized it.

About Summer:

Summer is the President of our Local MOMS Club chapter, she is the mother of two adorable active boys, and is always thinking of ways to help others. She is a friend, a wife, and always busy as all mommies are.