Season's Greenings To All Our Pals!

May your holiday season be healthy and happy :)

Be a Tree Hugger With That Christmas Tree

Think ahead how to dispose of your holiday tree

Our ultimate list of tree hugging tips to dispose of that tree in a GREENER way after the holiday

Mulch It!

Our complete guide How to mulch Christmas Trees and Holiday Wreaths.

Curbside Pick-up for Recycling:

Most towns will collect trees during their regular pickup schedules on the 2 weeks following Christmas.  There are often requirements for size, removing ornaments, flocking, etc; see below for details.

Non Profit Pick Up:

Call for an appointment to have a non-profit in your area pickup your tree. Some boy scout troops are offering a pickup service for a small donation.

Drop Off:

Take your tree to a drop off recycling center. Most counties have free drop-off locations throughout the county. Usually, you may take up to two trees to any of the following drop-off locations at no charge.

*DON’T BURN IT:

Never burn your Christmas tree in a fireplace or wood stove. Pines, firs and other evergreens have a high content of flammable turpentine oils.  Burning the tree may contribute to creosote buildup and risk a chimney fire.

Mulch it:

A Christmas tree is biodegradable It’s great if you have a shredder or a friend with one!  But if you don’t, cut the tree to fit loosely into your yard waste container or chip the branches for mulch.

Town Mulching:

This is a fast-growing trend in communities nationwide. Some towns will chip and shred your trees, then make the mulch available for use in your garden.   Check with your local department of public works for information.

General Rules for Preparing the Tree:

Before you throw:

Remove all ornaments, tinsel, lights, and other NON-Organic decorative materials. Don’t forget the tree stand!

Trees are sometimes required to be cut into 4 ft lengths. In some locales, the trees must be cut small enough pieces to fit inside your yard waste container.

Flocked trees will often need to be chopped-up and disposed with regular solid waste.

*Be sure to check with your local hauler - these are just general guidelines!

ALTERNATIVE IDEAS: Mulching is great but there are other yard ideas, too!  If you have a sizable yard or live by a lake or woodland—here are some creative ways to reuse that tree.

Soil erosion barriers: Christmas trees make effective sand and soil erosion barriers, especially at for lake and river shoreline stabilization and river delta sedimentation management.

Fish feeders: Sunk into private fish ponds trees make excellent refuge and feeding area for fish.

Bird feeders: Place Christmas tree in the garden or backyard and use it as a bird feeder and sanctuary. Orange slices and popcorn will attract birds and they can sit in the branches for shelter. Within a year the branches will become brittle and you can break the tree apart by hand or chip it in a chipper. See this article from Perdue University for more information.

© jag www.planetpals.com

The Art of The Edible Christmas Tree

These yummy Christmas tree food ideas are healthy alternatives bound to amuse your family and friends this holiday.

 

Whether you are feeding one or a houseful of holiday guests, the fun food tree will bring on the cheer and make you the star on top!  So much so, that your friends and family won't even realize they are eating healthy.

Fun Food Art Christmas Trees To Decorate Any Holiday Table:

Say Cheese! Delish Cheese and Grape Tree from Cabot Cheese - Any hard cheeses will do.

 Not Cheesy! Cream Cheese Christmas Tree from Betty Crocker - you could use Brie also.

Christmas Tree Pizzas With Pizzaz from Family Fun

Brocolli and Tomato Tree a Healthy Munch For A Bunch from Meal Planning Magic.com 

So Sweet! The Tutti Fruity Tree from Ginger and Garlic Blog  

Rosy and Red Strawberry Christmas Tree  from Maddycakes Muse

Ole! Tortilla Roll Christm as Tree by Better Homes and Gardens

Snap up smiles with snap peas christmas tree by Little Nummies 

Christmas Pancakes Won't Leave Breakfast Flat By Cute Food For Kids

This Grape Tree Snack Plate Is A Natural from Kitchen Fun with Mummy

For more food art and crafts go to Planetpals Crafts pages or seePlanetpals holiday Journals Jam packed with holiday ideas!

Snow Many Ways To Make Snow Flakes

Mounds of Snowflake crafts for every age!

Check them out on Planetpals Snow Fun Pinterest Board

Snow much fun!

Tis the Season for Homespun Traditions

Tis The Season For Homespun Traditions Design© Judith Gorgone

Make a new tradition this year!

The holiday season is a time for sharing with friends and family near and far.  Why not start a new old fashioned tradition this year that will last a lifetime. Use one of these simple ideas that scream "Home Made Holiday Spirit"!

Send a holiday letter instead of a card or with your card:

Everyone loves mail and it is a great way to update family and friends! Photocopy or print the “year in revue” and use clip art, photos, or drawings to enhance it. As the kids grow, let them have a hand in it! 

Have a pot luck get together:

Invite friends for a "pot luck", or open house event.  Everyone can cook a specialty. Sampling others cooking can be a tasty change! The hostesses will have more fun to enjoy the event, too.

Give a gift of a gift:

Have everyone bring a wrapped generic gift. Donate the gifts to a children's charity, homeless shelter, or nursing home. A great way to share what we all have, set good examples for the kids, all while having fun, too!

Fill a bag with kindness:

Have each household of your extended family purchase a certain amount of small toiletries, kleenex, writing implements, note paper and other useful items.  Have the kids fill small gifts bags with the items.  Then schedule a family trip to a children’s hospital, homeless shelter or nursing home and drop the much needed and appreciated gifts to the residents.

Have a talent show:

During the family holiday get together, schedule a family talent event for young and old.  Encourage each person in the family demonstrate their unique talent.  Be it singing, a cooking lesson, calligraphy or the hoola hoop. The possibilities are endless and you may learn something about an aunt, cousin or grandparent you did not know! 

Have a holiday decorating or cooking party:

Invite family or friends to make decorations together, or bake their famous cookies.  Then divide them up and take them home!

Hand make gifts or ornaments:

Whatever your talent, share it, you can be sure it will be a treasured gift from your heart and hand and no doubt looked forward to each year.  To add to it--wrap it in a home made wrap.

  © Judith Gorgone creator planetpals.com all rights reserved. Contact us for usage and licensing information for Planetpals content and  Planetpals Characters and Brand.