The holiday season is upon us and with that comes a whole lot of waste! Wrapping, packaging, decorations; you name it. Your holiday season should be filled with love and joy, not post-consumer guilt derived from post-Christmas waste! There are plenty of ways to show your loved ones that you care, that won’t cost the Earth. A green Christmas is more than just helping prevent waste, it can lead to sentimental gifts, heart-filling experiences and memorable times with your friends and family.

Here are some helpful tips to help make your household eco-friendlier and to prevent your trash bin from being full this Christmas!

1. Reusable Bags as Wrapping!

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Using cloth bags for your gifts is a great way to minimalize waste and lower your overall costs! It also will allow your friends and family to re-use these bags as well and pass on the gift of a Green Christmas.

2. Christmas Baking!

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A timeless gift that goes straight to your loved one’s stomach instead of the trash bin! Christmas baking is a great way to minimize costs and provide someone with a sentimental gift that they’ll be sure to remember.

These Almond Snowball Cookies just melt in your mouth. They are perfect Christmas cookies and look like darling little snowballs.

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Almond Snowball Cookies

Skill Level: Easy
Cost to Make: $7-$9
Keyword: Almond Snowball Cookies, Snowball Cookies
Calories: 89 cal
Servings: -40 cookies

Ingredients

• 1/2 lb unsalted butter (16 Tbsp.) softened at room temperature
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar plus 1 1/2 cups more for rolling cookies
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour *measured correctly
• 1/2 tsp. fine salt I used fine sea salt
• 1 cup almond flour or fine almond meal
• 1/2 Tbsp. orange zest from 1 medium orange

Instructions

Prep:
1. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a 3/4 size cookie sheet or 2 regular cookie sheets with parchment paper.
How to Make Snowball Cookies:
1. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, cream together 1/2 lb. butter, 1/2 cup powdered sugar, and 1 tsp. vanilla, until smooth.
2. Switch to paddle attachment and gradually mix in 2 cups all-purpose flour and 1/2 tsp. salt. Once incorporated, add 1 cup almond meal and 1/2 Tbsp. orange zest and mix until well blended. The dough will stick slightly to the spatula but not to your fingertips. If very sticky, add 1-2 Tbsp. more flour.
3. Shape dough into 1-inch balls (a small ice cream scoop makes it easy and exact). Place them on prepared baking sheet 1 inch apart. You should get 38-40 cookies. Don’t make them too large or they won’t bake through properly. Bake 11-13 min, or until bottoms are golden and edges are barely golden (I bake 11 min for softer cookies). Remove from baking sheet and cool 5 min.
4. Fill a bowl with powdered sugar and roll the cookies in it while they are still warm (not hot). Transfer cookies to wire rack to cool completely.
5. Once cookies are at room temp, roll in powdered sugar again or dust the tops with a mini sieve for a snowy look.

3. The Gift of Growth – Plants

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Household plants are becoming increasingly trendy and also very easy to take care of! They’re cute, affordable, and can be representative of your friendship or love for whoever you choose to gift them to. Greenery with staying power is a great way to spruce up anybody’s home and bring a little bit of warmth into a space.

I’d suggest choosing a low upkeep plant such as a:
• Snake Plant
• African Spear Plant
• Aloe Vera
• ZZ Plant
• Pothos Plant
• Monstera Plant
• Any Cacti Plant

4. Non-Plastic Christmas Decorations!

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Christmas decorations don’t always have to be made with plastic! Crafting new decorations can lead to great fun for the whole family as well. Whether it’s a homemade wreath, hanging pinecones, or paper snowflakes; turning your home into a Winter Wonderland may be easier on the environment than you think! Using wood and other natural materials can give your space a more natural and warm appeal as well.

Here are some ideas:

• Dried Citrus Wheels
• Feather Ornaments
• Flowers & Branches as Centerpieces
• Paper Snowflakes
• Twig Candle Holders
• Hand Knitted Stockings

5. The gift of an Experience to Create a Memory.

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The perfect gift doesn’t always have to result in something material. Sometimes the most meaningful gifts can be great experiences that create lasting memories with your loved one. A romantic dinner for two, an indoor picnic, movie night, or a tailgate football party for Dad are just a few suggestions! Throwing a delicious meal or handmade gift into the mix doesn’t hurt either. For example, you could make frozen dinners for your parents to have on those busy weeknights when they don’t feel like cooking. For your BFF, you could put together a bath kit that’s complete with a download of their favourite songs, candles, and a packet of soothing bath salts!