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Deck the Halls Without the Toxins #Giveaway

17 December 2013 by Kerrie @ Family Food and Travel 53 Comments

Kerrie @ Family Food and Travel
17 December 2013 | UPDATED ON: 18 December 2013

The holiday season is upon us. While you’re getting into the festive spirit by hanging up decorations or buying gifts for loved ones, there is chance that something not-so-festive could sneak into your home: toxic chemicals. Some of these chemicals have links to cancer, obesity, asthma and a slew of other health problems.

Here are some tips on how to create a jolly, and non-toxic, atmosphere in your home this holiday season.

Decorate the green way

Toxic chemicals can hide in festive items such as holiday trees, lights, and ornaments.

Phthalates can be found in plastic holiday ornaments, as well as scented items like candles. Phthalates are a group of chemicals linked to asthma, they can be a risk factor for diabetes, and one phthalate – DEHP – has been classified as a probable carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).  Scary stuff, but you can easily make your home smell like the holidays the natural way by using essential oils, cinnamon sticks, and evergreen branches.

When it comes to decorations, au natural is also best. Choose ornaments made of natural materials such as metal, wood or ceramic. Or, for family fun, make your own! Here are some ideas:

  • Try crafting your own ornaments from things found in nature, like real evergreen branches, pine cones, chestnuts, sticks, twigs, pumpkins and gourds. You can compost these afterwards.
  • Let your kids make decorations out of coloured construction paper. That way you can recycle the paper later.
  • Re-use outgrown or worn-out cotton, linen or wool clothes to make your own holiday stockings or table runners.

One more thing to note: if you like to have a holiday tree, beware of fake ones– especially older ones – because they can contain lead and PVC (polyvinyl chloride). In California, most artificial trees are required to come with a warning label for this very reason.  Research has shown that lead dust tends to leach out from fake trees over time. If you buy a real tree, ask your local tree farm if they use pesticides. If the tree still has roots, even better. You can plant it when you’re done!

Choose non-toxic gifts

From toys to electronics, there is a chance that whatever is on your loved one’s wish list, it might include nasty chemicals.

Looking for bubble bath, soap or other personal care products to give as a gift? These products can also contain toxic ingredients – some of which have been linked to cancer, allergies and other health problems. You can find a list of the Toxic Ten chemicals to avoid in personal care products by visiting environmentaldefence.ca/toxicten. Also read our latest report to find out how the five biggest cosmetics companies in Canada rank when it comes to toxics.

Kids are exposed to harmful chemicals when they put toys into their mouths. This is a concern because kids, and in particular babies, are vulnerable to environmental toxins because their biological systems are still developing. While shopping for toys, choose items that are made from natural materials such as wood, stainless steel and organic cotton.

Give the gift of nature

The best part of the holiday season is getting together and spending time with friends and family. It doesn’t mean we have to spend money, or bring unwanted chemicals into the home, to do so. Plan an outing such as skating, skiing or snowshoeing and take advantage of the beautiful nature in your area. Also, check out Environmental Defence’s Gifts for the Future to find meaningful gifts that inspire change and defend our environment.

By following the above simple tips, you can go a long way to making this holiday season festive and toxic-free. Want more ideas? Check out our Storify for highlights from our recent Twitter chat on the topic that we co-hosted with Green Moms Collective.

We wish you and your family a happy, and toxic-free, holiday season.

Discovery-Tin2

One lucky Family Food and Travel reader will win this fabulous set – open to CAN – ends 12/31

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Comments

  1. darby says

    17 December 2013 at 9:05 am

    I try to use natural products when possible.

    Reply
  2. Julie G. says

    17 December 2013 at 10:11 am

    I reuse bows on the presents and try to use recycled wrapping paper.

    Reply
  3. Vesper says

    17 December 2013 at 2:49 pm

    Fairly easily – no tree, no decorations and no turkey, and only give books as presents

    Reply
  4. Erin W says

    17 December 2013 at 4:24 pm

    I clean with my Norwex.

    Reply
  5. Linda says

    17 December 2013 at 4:57 pm

    Have been using non toxic products for years now. Find you use less compared to toxic products.

    Reply
  6. Athena says

    17 December 2013 at 7:36 pm

    We try to use non-toxic products in the house whenever possible.

    Reply
  7. Erika E says

    17 December 2013 at 10:53 pm

    I clean with a lot of homemade cleaning products so I’m able to keep toxins out.

    Reply
  8. Brandee H says

    17 December 2013 at 11:40 pm

    We are honest when people ask us what our son wants. We try to stay away from plastic toys. And this year we made felt decorations.

    Reply
  9. Victoria Ess says

    18 December 2013 at 11:23 am

    By using non-toxic, all-natural cleaning products.

    Reply
  10. M Schmidt says

    18 December 2013 at 6:34 pm

    We always purchase a real tree from the University’s Forestry Department (not only is it non-toxic, but it is also harvested using the practice of good forest stewardship, with respect to the concepts of sustainable yield, biodiversity, and multiple use; and a portion of the tree sales are donated to the United Way).

    Reply
  11. Amy C says

    18 December 2013 at 7:26 pm

    I try to use non-toxic products.

    Reply
  12. Angela Mitchell says

    18 December 2013 at 11:32 pm

    I use many natural cleaning products for all my Christmas cleaning. And we also use reuable cotton bags to wrap our gifts in instead of wrapping paper.

    Reply
  13. charityk says

    19 December 2013 at 8:45 pm

    i use a steam cleaner instead of harmful products nad try to use natural fresh ingredients in my baking and cooking

    Reply
  14. Elena S says

    20 December 2013 at 8:48 pm

    I try to make all our food from scratch and not use toxic cleaners

    Reply
  15. Monica says

    21 December 2013 at 4:21 pm

    I use all natural cleaning products

    Reply
  16. Anna W says

    22 December 2013 at 11:46 am

    We like to use newspapers to wrap our gifts and give mostly homemade gifts that are environmentally friendly. This year I am gifting homemade soy wax candles to my friends.

    Reply
  17. marlene smith says

    22 December 2013 at 12:04 pm

    i make organic homade cookies for christams

    Reply
  18. Mike Mottishaw says

    22 December 2013 at 4:54 pm

    ‘reduce and re-use’ is a saying i try to apply daily, and i like all natural when possible of course!

    Reply
  19. GARRY S says

    22 December 2013 at 6:29 pm

    WATCH WHAT I CLEAN WITH

    Reply
  20. Sherry k says

    22 December 2013 at 6:51 pm

    I make bags for our gifts and we always clean with vinegar and water and soda

    Reply
  21. Kristina Ziegler says

    22 December 2013 at 10:28 pm

    I use Norwex products

    Reply
  22. Wanda Bergman says

    22 December 2013 at 10:48 pm

    I try to get everything organic if I can.

    Reply
  23. Giuliana Mariani says

    23 December 2013 at 7:34 am

    I started using all natural products for my sensitive skin years ago and i have since incorporated all-natural and organic to my cleaning too!

    Reply
  24. Lucy says

    23 December 2013 at 1:18 pm

    we try to use natural products whenever possible

    Reply
  25. Julie says

    23 December 2013 at 2:10 pm

    There are way too many chemicals in our environment without using them in our healthy & beauty products.

    Reply
  26. raven says

    23 December 2013 at 2:48 pm

    I use organic and natural products to clean, but my fav is still a vinegar and water spray bottle for quick clean ups

    Reply
  27. Carole B. says

    23 December 2013 at 3:10 pm

    vegan and organic lifestyle

    Reply
  28. Elaine R says

    23 December 2013 at 6:26 pm

    We use a steam mop for cleaning the floors.

    Reply
  29. Monique S says

    23 December 2013 at 8:24 pm

    We also use a stream cleaner to clean the floors!
    Monique S recently posted..lnalloweentown:

    literally want to be rich for the clothes My Profile

    Reply
  30. Michel says

    23 December 2013 at 10:41 pm

    We only buy Christmas candles made in Canada and of 100% natural beeswax.

    Reply
  31. eleanor says

    24 December 2013 at 8:45 am

    I use non scented lotions and natural household cleaners. I recycle all the holiday decorations and wrapping paper.

    Reply
  32. Jennifer Monteiro says

    24 December 2013 at 12:25 pm

    I prepare the food using natural ingredients.

    Reply
  33. Larissa V says

    24 December 2013 at 4:06 pm

    i clean my floors with natural products, and use norwex which has antibacterial properties and use just water!

    Reply
  34. Jennifer L. says

    25 December 2013 at 11:07 pm

    I only use non-toxic cleaners and other products in my house.

    Reply
  35. Caroline Moustache says

    26 December 2013 at 5:36 pm

    I avoid clothing softeners and use vinegar instead.
    Caroline Moustache recently posted..Discount Code for Dryer BallsMy Profile

    Reply
  36. Grace A says

    26 December 2013 at 8:20 pm

    By reading labels and checking things

    Reply
  37. Fiona Mullins says

    26 December 2013 at 8:25 pm

    Use natural cleaning products!

    Reply
  38. Tina L. says

    27 December 2013 at 1:45 am

    I try to use natural products as much as possible.

    Reply
  39. Sara D says

    27 December 2013 at 11:02 am

    I read the list of ingredients on cleaning products!

    Reply
  40. Nancy T says

    27 December 2013 at 12:13 pm

    I reuse bows, ribbons & gift bags that we’ve received from other people. We use my girls artwork papers as wrapping paper too!

    Reply
  41. L Cox says

    27 December 2013 at 3:05 pm

    What a wonderful prize this would be! Our whole family would benefit!

    Reply
  42. Beth R says

    27 December 2013 at 5:14 pm

    I recycle everything that can be recycled… which is most things!

    Reply
  43. Vicki says

    27 December 2013 at 6:32 pm

    We use all natural cleaning products and a real tree

    Reply
  44. Doreen Lamoureux says

    28 December 2013 at 11:45 am

    I make my holidays non-toxic by not drinking alcohol :) :)

    Reply
  45. jenn g says

    28 December 2013 at 2:42 pm

    We make organic home baked goodies to give out as gifts.

    Reply
  46. Mel says

    28 December 2013 at 4:35 pm

    I cleaned the house from top to bottom before our holiday company came using my steam mop. No chemicals for us!

    Reply
  47. Natalie yeoman says

    29 December 2013 at 12:40 pm

    I use a lot of homemade decorations

    Reply
  48. Christy Martin says

    29 December 2013 at 1:56 pm

    It is difficult but we start with an organic free range turkey.

    Reply
  49. Vanessa W. says

    29 December 2013 at 9:05 pm

    We like to clean our home with non-toxic, homemade cleaners and stay away from chemical air fresheners by using essential oils.

    Reply
  50. sbender says

    30 December 2013 at 12:05 am

    We use all natural cleaning products

    Reply
  51. kristen visser says

    30 December 2013 at 2:40 pm

    i try to use all natural cleaning products

    Reply
  52. Ashley Fryer says

    30 December 2013 at 3:40 pm

    I clean with vinegar.

    Reply
  53. liz l says

    30 December 2013 at 9:18 pm

    We use organic items

    Reply

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