Homemade Outdoor Tree Ornaments

More green ideas from Summer, Today it’s about getting in the kitchen and making something fun and useful with your kids.

Get the kids involved and make outdoor tree ornaments. During the winter months when our little woodland neighbors have a harder time finding food use a non-coated, pure cotton thread which is biodegradable but can be used by the birds in nests once the food has all been eaten. Thread popcorn, fresh or dried fruit, citrus peel, and nuts or seeds. Choose foods containing no sugars and no additives.

Another form of bird feeder can be made by taking an apple core spread in nut butter or shortening and rolled in bird seed. If you live in an area with sturdy, woody pine cones you can use that instead of an apple core.

clip_image001 My son helping me make string ornaments

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Strings made by me and my son

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Pinecone made by my son at preschool

 

I love these ideas, in fact, Zoe was able to make a bird feeder at a recent party she attended. One of the party activities was to make bird feeders. They had pine cones, and covered them with peanut butter. Than they tossed them in a paper bag along with birdseed and then they had bird feeders. I was surprised at how little of a mess it made. I expected there to be peanut butter and bird seed everywhere, but there wasn’t!

Thank you Summer for the great idea!

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.

BYOCM Bring Your Own Coffee Mug

Remember a few months ago when I shared my fresh idea at the Walmart booth at BlogHer? Well, I got my idea from My MOMS Club, one of the members was making her own coffee sleeves in craft club, so I asked my sister-in-law to make me some and she gave them to me as a Christmas gift. So since the idea originally came from MOMS Club, it’s fitting that Summer is revisiting the home made coffee sleeve idea as a green holiday tip and where you can buy one if you don’t know anyone crafty!

Big environmental changes can come in little packages; small enough to fit right into those stockings! I live in the Seattle area and there is literally a coffee shop on every corner! In stockings every years we end up giving someone (usually the grandparents) a coffee related item. On Black Friday I bought myself the “Non Paper Cup Mug” from Cost Plus World Market; this particular mug is ceramic with a silicon grip and fitted silicon lid. The mug looks like your favorite coffee shop’s cups. I like these mugs because they are REAL MUGS with a spill proof top for easy travel whether in the car or around the office. These cups are microwave and dishwasher safe – both are a bonus in my book! Think of all the paper cups, heat shields, and plastic lids you’re saving from becoming trash. Also think of all the hand washed dishes your saving yourself (bonus fact: did you know that hand washing dishes uses more water than using your dishwashing machine).

In store you can buy a single mug for about $8 and online you have to purchase a double pack for $16-$20 depending on the pattern you choose.
Though these mugs make great companions in the car, but your BFF won’t be carrying this cup in her purse since they are ceramic like at-home mugs. Never fear, in my very own purse I have the stocking stuffer solution for that too, a cloth sleeve. You can also have your kids make home made coffee sleeves for their teachers and the grandparents out of crafting scraps you may have around the house.

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.

Turn Homemade Snowflakes into a Charity Event

During the snow storm that we had we were stuck inside a little bit more just because of how very cold it was. So we got out the art supplies and made snowflakes, according paper snowman and home made Christmas Trees. We had quite a bit of fun making all of these crafts. The kids were allowed to use scissors and markers and to Zoe that is a very very special day.

snowflakeNow we’re using our snowflakes as a decoration in our windows by the dinner table but did you know you can do other things like donating your flakes to charity. What? Read today’s red and green eco tip for today:

Decorating for the winter can be snow much fun, no matter where you live, as long as you have the right tools. So leave the blowers off and keep the shovel parked; gear up with your scrape paper and scissors and make your own indoor blizzard. Need some help? Never fear! Check out The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp for some guidance. You can even step up your efforts by making your fun project a fundraiser for The Hole in the Wall Gang with offers camps for seriously ill children. Schools and clubs simply create as many flakes as possible and sell them for a fee. Purchasers can either take them home to decorate with or their flake can be displayed like other paper fundraisers in the stores for Children’s Hospital, Jerry’s Kids, March of Dimes, or Walk for MS. If you want to carve up some scrap paper to make a different kind of green ($$$) difference then consult the camp’s site.

So have fun with the kids and make a difference!

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.