Finding Meaning in Memorial Day
May 31, 2010 by Julia Wasson
Filed under 2010, Blog, Events, Family, Front Page, Holidays, Slideshow, U.S.
On Memorial Day, in the United States, many of us pause from our regular workday routines to honor those who died while serving our nation. The tradition dates back to post-Civil War days. Here’s an excerpt from Memorial Day History, a website that claims to share the true meaning of the holiday: Memorial Day was [...]
Read Full ArticleAn Open Letter to My Family – I’m Giving Up My Birthday
October 16, 2009 by Julia Wasson
Filed under Blog, Eco-Friendly, Family, Front Page, Holidays, Slideshow, Sustainability
Dear Family,
My birthday is next week. I know, you don’t need reminding. You’re thoughtful that way. But that’s not why I’m writing this letter to you.
You see, although I do appreciate it when you acknowledge my birthday by coming over — or calling, if you’re far away — I don’t want you to spend any money on me. No flowers. No presents. Oh, don’t get me wrong. I enjoy such things. But I don’t need them to know that you love me.
If you want to do something to mark my presence in your life, please do something for someone else. …
Read Full ArticleDon’t Give More, Give Better
December 17, 2008 by Karen Nichols
Filed under Blog, Front Page, Holidays, Tips
During the nineteenth century, merchants began encouraging a greater focus on holiday gift-giving because, of course, it fostered gift buying. Two centuries later, we are confronted with holidays overwhelmed by consumerism. According to Grist magazine, “Nearly a quarter of all retail goods move out of stores and into homes between Thanksgiving and Christmas (and, we suspect, often into landfills by January).” All the stress and anxiety of shopping, combined with other struggles that holidays often bring, leave many of us secretly wishing it were January already.
Read Full ArticleWe’re Dreaming of a Green Holiday
December 16, 2008 by RecycleBank
Filed under Blog, Front Page, Green Living, Holidays, Landfill, Post-Consumer Waste, Slideshow, Tips
Between Thanksgiving and New Years Day, Americans take an additional 25% of waste to the curb. That amounts to over 25 million tons of trash for the holiday season.
If every family reused just 2 ft. of ribbon from holidays past, that would save 38,000 miles of ribbon — enough to literally tie a big bow around the entire planet. 2.7 million holiday cards are sent across the country too — that’s enough to fill an entire football field 10 stories high!
