Only 35 days until Christmas! There is always so much to do and buy at the holidays. Shouldn’t it be fun, and not overwhelming? This year, I’m trying to make things a little easier – and more forest-friendly! Here are a few suggestions to help with holiday shopping.
- Buy a live Christmas tree. Many tree farms offer the option to buy a live potted tree rather than a cut one. After the holidays, plant the tree in your yard or donate it to a local organization like San Diego’s Adopt a Christmas Tree Foundation, which uses the trees to reforest areas damaged by wildfire.
- Dedicate a redwood grove. This is a really special way to honor a loved one. When you dedicate a grove through a gift to Save the Redwoods League, you help to protect these magical places, and you can name your hand-picked grove after someone special. You may visit and select from the available groves in 19 redwood parks.
- Plan a trip to the redwoods. When you exchange gifts you can surprise your family or friends with a photo of your destination or some new camping gear. The Save the Redwoods League website has lots of resources to get you going.
- Have a redwood seedling planted in one of California’s redwood parks in honor of a friend or loved one – we’ll send a beautiful commemorative card to the honoree (just be sure to allow 10 days for delivery).
- When it comes time to wrap your presents, use recycled paper or fabric; or make your own wrappings with newspaper, colorful shopping bags, even the pages of a book. You’ll be giving a gift to the forest as well!
Do you have any ideas on how to make the holiday season even merrier while keeping the redwoods in mind? I’d love to hear them!
Want to spend your holidays in the redwoods? Be sure to check out our Redwoods Finder interactive map for help planning your getaway.
