Make your own bags from old t-shirts!

Santa is at the mall and he’ll be coming down our chimney’s soon!  Until that time, why not pick up new habits to make the world a greener place during this holiday season.  Here are some ideas for inspiration!

Recycle your packaging!

Save your boxes and gift bags from previous holiday events and reuse, reuse, reuse!  Instead of packing all that bright tissue paper into the trash bag hide it in the back of your closet for next year!  Need more ideas? Look here!

Experiment with new transportation!

Bike, Walk, or Bus to where you need to go!  Despite rain, sleet, and snow many members of the GreenCupboards.com staff still pedal to work during these months.  If weather permits we like to save some gas and get some fresh air.  It’s good for us and the planet!

Try reusable bags!

As you load up on groceries, goodies, and gifts be sure to gather your purchases in reusable bags!  Every year over 1 trillion plastic bags are used.  Do your part to cut that number down!

Support Eco-businesses!

Working together is at the core of keeping our world green.  Support local businesses or organizations that practice green habits, provide funding for green initiatives, or include being green in their mission.

Encourage your friends!

The holidays are a time to be with the people you love.  Spend time with friends making eco-friendly decorations or shopping online! Your good habits will encourage them to be conscious of our effect on the planet!

Happy Holidays!

Sources:

http://www.reuseit.com/learn-more/top-facts/plastic-bag-facts

Images:

http://blog.airdye.com/goodforwater/2010/07/16/dont-recycle-that-plastic-bag/

http://www.metaefficient.com/bicycles/top-cities-winter-bicycle-commuting.html

Just one of the possible giveaways!

Today GreenCupboards.com will be initiating our first ever December toy giveaway called, “Win Big, Give Bigger”!

This campaign is designed to give back to our Facebook Fans and share in the festivities by giving a toy a day! During this month we will also match EVERY toy we give to Toys for Tots.

Here’s how it works:

• Go to http://www.facebook.com/greencupboards
• Enter your name and email for the toy be given that day
• Only 1 entry per person, per day
• Entries will be open from 12:00 am to 11:59 pm EST every day

Check out the neat prizes that will be available here!

Want to play a role?  When you buy from GreenCupboards.com in the month of December be sure to use the donation feature in the shopping cart and donate directly to Toys for Tots!

If you are in the Spokane area, stop by our offices to drop off toys for Toys for Tots until December 23^rd.

Happy Holidays!

Christmas tree in Spokane, 1920's

The day after Halloween is always a time of excitement for me.  Although many advertisements have already started, I always think of the night of Halloween as the official beginning of the holiday season.  I was riding my bike to work this morning and I realized leaves, just recently tinted with a crayon box yellow and red hue, are already covering the ground.  The cold crisp wind is here to stay and snow will soon be blanketing our bare sidewalks.   Some friends are making plans to go home for Thanksgiving, and the more eccentric ones are already fretting about Christmas presents.  As fall turns to winter it’s easy to get mucked down in nostalgia for warmer days.

What better way to keep thoughts of warm days at bay than to consider the exciting things this holiday season has in store for us?

In the spirit of the holidays, this morning I spoke with members of the GreenCupboards.com staff and asked them to share what they were most excited for during the holiday season.

1. Friends and Family came in as the most popular answer.  People are excited to go home and spend time with family members during the holiday season.  Some favorite family past times include watching “It’s a Wonderful Life”, caroling, going to new movies, and seeing children open presents.
2. Snow! GreenCupboards.com staff is willing to fight through poor driving (and biking) conditions to get to work if it means they’ll be having a white Christmas!
3. Food was the most popular answer for men in the office.  Thanksgiving dinner, pies and croissants all came up in holiday discussion.   To many people, going home means the comfort of a warm meals and familiar favorite dishes.
4. Winter sports ranked high among both men and women.  The most anticipated sport in the office is skiing and sledding, but many people are looking forward to indoor rock climbing, dancing classes, indoor cycling, and Zumba.  Even more exciting is the upcoming college basketball season (Go Zags!) and Bowl season.
5. Christmas Decorations mean the holidays are approaching in Spokane.  Lights on the Monroe Street Bridge, Christmas trees in the living room, nativity scenes, and Santa Claus’ workshop in the mall are all highly anticipated holiday scenes.  In the spirit of the holidays we’re looking forward to the red, green, and white lights speckling local neighborhoods and Christmas music blasting on the radio.  The lights in the Manito Park Greenhouse have been mentioned as a Spokane must see!
6. The time change is fast approaching.  Sunday, November 6^th at 2 AM we’ll be setting the clocks back an hour.  This means an extra hour of sleep and an annual symbol of the approaching holiday season.
7. With the prospect of upcoming holidays many assured me that New Years Eve would not be forgotten this year.  A final party to celebrate the year that passed and to welcome the year to come, New Year’s Eve is a time to snuggle up with a loved one or enjoy time with friends.
8. Black Friday! Most popular among women in the office, Black Friday  marks the annual last minute shopping spree.  Deals, decorations, warm drinks, and quality time with Mom are just a few of the good things that come with a hectic day of shopping.  According to some, “It means Christmas season is really here”.

Need more reasons to be excited for the next few months to come?  Ask your friends, family, and co-workers which of these holiday events they’re most excited about.  On this 1st of November, GreenCupboards.com says it’s never too early for holiday cheer!

Sources:

http://greencupboards.com/

Images:

http://www.betterbudgeting.com/frugalcrafts/preservingleaves.htm

http://m.spokesman.com/galleries/2010/nov/24/historical-holiday-photos/