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Deck the Halls Without the Toxins #Giveaway

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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.

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Comments

  8. 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

  10. 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

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

    Reply

  16. 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

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

    Reply

  23. 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

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

    Reply

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

    Reply

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

    Reply

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

    Reply

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

    Reply

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