The Lean Green Family

I've decided to migrate this blog (again! I'm so sorry about all of this) to a blogging platform, since this site can't give me the widgets, bells and whistles that I've become accustomed to in my blogging. So please check us out now at our new Word Press address.

Thanks.

Back on the old blog, there was a survey up for the past few weeks, asking readers about their Christmas tree preferences. The four choices were:



* Reusable fake tree

* Cut live tree

* Live tree with rootball

* I don't use a Christmas tree



When I first posted that survey, I thought for sure that all of the green folks that read the blog would reveal that they used a live tree with the rootball. I mean, that seems like the greenest Christmas tree option of all, doesn't it?



Lo and behold, here's how the survey shaked out.



* Reusable fake tree (54%)

* Cut live tree (27%)

* Live tree with rootball (2%)

* I don't use a Christmas tree (15%)



I have to say that these findings really surprised me. But, then again, if my life really does reflect those who read this blog, then those findings are right on the money.



Why?



Because two years ago, we decided to invest in a reusable fake tree, and that's what we've been putting up each December ever since.



In the past we had done the live tree with a rootball, and even managed to keep one alive until spring so we could plant it in our front yard. The rest of these rootball trees usually died in the garage waiting for the warmer weather. Now that our house doesn't have a garage, they're not an option.



Most often, we chose to have a live, cut tree. After the holidays we would toss it in the woods to let it decompose naturally. It always killed me to see people putting their Christmas trees out like trash. Hello, what about composting it? At least this year, my town is organizing a Christmas tree recycling day, when a local landscaping company will accept trees that he'll turn into wood chips. (If your town doesn't offer this kind of program, visit Earth 911 to find a Christmas tree recycling program near you.)



The fact that we could never recycle our Christmas tree and it gets expensive when you have to buy a tree each year, well, that's what clinched the deal for us and the fake tree. Sure, I know that fake trees are made of petroleum but I'll bet that the tree we have now will last 20 years or longer. That means that in 20 years' time, I'll have cut out the drive to and from the tree farms, I'll have saved 20 trees from being cut down and discarded, and I'll have taken that expense out of my budget.



Thanks to all that took the survey; now post a comment on why you agree--or disagree--with the survey's findings about the greenest Christmas tree of all.

Yesterdays Philadelphia Inquirer included a feature on me and how we're doing a green-and-frugal Christmas. (more…)

I would hate to see anyone have to burn unnecessary gas or lose well-earned money on holidays gifts they gave or received. The worst is getting a gift that's not right, and then having to struggle to figure out how to return it. (more…)