South Dakotans Can Make It A "Green Christmas"
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Sioux Falls, SD - From conserving energy to preserving Christmas wrap, South Dakota shoppers can make it a "Green Christmas" this year, with small changes that can help their pocketbooks as well as the environment. Jennifer Hattam, Lifestyles Editor for "Sierra Magazine," says energy-saving light strands, made of light-emitting diodes (LEDs), are becoming more competitively priced, which makes it possible to pinch pennies without being a Grinch.
"They look just like regular lights but they use 80 to 90 percent less energy. Depending on how many lights you use around the house, that can save up to $50 on your energy bill."
Hattam also has some creative suggestions for wrapping presents.
"If you have kids, you can use their art work to wrap gifts that are really unique and special. Another good idea is to use part of your gift. For example, if you were giving a piece of clothing, like a scarf, you could use it to wrap the other gift. Then it's kind of two gifts in one."
Hattam adds if every family wrapped just three gifts in this more environmentally friendly way, it could save enough paper to cover 45,000 football fields.
More tips on "greening up" your holiday can be found online, at www.sierraclub.org/Christmas.
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