Seattle - November 26, 2008

Ho Ho Hosed

How to Downsize Your Holiday

An overdose of holiday cheer can lead to extra pounds (urgh), heaps of trash (gasp), and negative funds (shudder). For a scaled-back season, elf-like experts Lynn Colwell (of Celebrate Green) and Heather Nelson (of Holiday Assistants) suggest a few trimmings.

- Choose a live tree to plant after the holiday (or at least compost that corpse).

- Instead of buying new sparkles, organize a household scavenger hunt for reusable decorations.

- Fill glass bowls with favorite treats (oranges, pomegranates, truffles) for lovely edible centerpieces.

- Serve only small bites at holiday parties. Or stage a soup cook-off so guests can claim leftovers (and you barely have to lift a finger).

- Embrace the Japanese tradition of furoshiki by using pretty scarves in place of paper gift wrap.

Here’s to feeling less screwged all around.

Celebrate Green available online at celebrategreen.net. For hands-on seasonal help, contact Holiday Assistants (425-605-0207 or holidayassistants.com).