It's definitely begun. Walk through any grocery store or department store and listen carefully. Holiday music is everywhere! Take a stroll down Main Street and you'll find lights, wreaths, and other decorations just waiting for a cold, white covering of snow. Drive around town at night, and you'll notice that many people have taken advantage of warm days in November to put up holiday lights on their homes and in their yards. If you're looking for ways to make your holidays a little "greener" (more environmentally-friendly, not more pine-scented), here are a few things to consider:
1. The "greenest" option regarding holiday lights is to not put up any at all. Strands of incandescent lights (especially the big, old-fashioned ones), really suck up the energy and can make your electricity bill climb. Instead, enjoy the light of the moon on a blanket of freshly fallen snow!
2. Perhaps you think the first suggestion is crazy. If so, consider recycling old strands of lights that no longer work instead of throwing them away. One Michigan company, based in Jackson, takes strands of lights for recycling and will send you a 15% discount coupon to purchase their LED version.
3. Especially if you're replacing lights that no longer work, think about an upgrade to LED lights. LEDs typically use only 10% of the electricity it takes to run an incandescent strand of the same length, saving at least $20 or more in energy costs for a 30-day holiday season.
For more about LED lighting, and other ways to make your holiday season a little greener, check out Green Holiday Tips from the Sierra Club by clicking here.
