The Low Down On Green Living
December 14th, 2008
Thoughts on a Green Chanukah
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Chanukah starts Sunday December 21 this year– just a week from today. Just as we encourage everyone to incorporate eco-smart ideas and green gifts into their Christmas plans, we also want to share some thoughts on how to have a Green Chanukah this year.
First, starting with the menorah, it’s always a great idea to use natural beeswax or soy candles. Traditional paraffin candles are made from petroleum. Or you can go the traditional route and use an olive-oil-burning menorah. Very natural indeed!
And using the menorah allows you to turn off the lights, save power, and cut your carbon footprint while you enjoy the light of the candles. Indeed the origin of the festival of lights in rooted in resource conservation— we can all learn a great deal by reflecting on the message of making one night’s oil last for eight days!
Should you need a new menorah, may we suggest this gorgeous one made of recycled glass? It is stunning and will surely become a family heirloom. This piece is hand crafted by artist Jacques Rivard. Or if this one is a bit much for your tastes, you can opt to make your own from logs, stones and more found objects… let creativity and reuse be your guides! Here’s a link to a blog with many excellent ideas for how to create special, eco-friendly Chanukah menorahs and other decorations.
If you plan to spin the dreidel, how about getting one made of sustainable wood? Yes of course they exist! 3RLiving has made one and it’s a real treasure. What a wonderful eco-friendly gift this would make. You can find them from 3RLiving here.
If you are looking for other Chanukah gift ideas you must explore the exceptional items made by Tikkun Olam. Tikkun Olam, Hebrew for repair the world, makes individually designed journals, greeting cards and picture frames using tree-free and recycled materials, as well as found objects. Designer Suzanne Lippe uses vintage keepsakes, antique stamps and postcards, and beads to create her unique gifts. Visit Tikkun Olam here.
What other ideas do you have to share? Please share them in the comments section.
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Comments
Leslie @ the oko box
December 16th, 2008 at 9:51 am
The holidays can be so consumeristic and destructive, even with keeping traditions - it’s so good to see most things we need or to keep traditions are starting to have eco friendly versions!!! Otherwise we are really just paying big marketing companies to control religious practices.
KURLYLOX
December 16th, 2008 at 4:15 pm
FIRST I NEED PEOPLE TO KNOW HOW DIFFICULT IT IS TO FIND JUDAICA OUTSIDE THE MAJOR CITIES. SECOND, THE ONLINE & CATALOG SOURCES ARE RIGHT THERE TO HELP YOU AND CHARGE THE BIG BUCKS FOR THAT SERVICE. I LOVE THE IDEA OF BEESWAX CANDLES AND THE OIL LIGHT MENORAHS. PLEASE CONSIDER WRITING THIS ADVICE AND SOURCE INFORMATION FOR PASSOVER;; HOWEVER, PLEASE DO IT WELL IN ADVANCE OF THE HOLIDAY. MY PRESENTS HAVE BEEN PURCHASED AND WRAPPED.
Tikkun Olam's Gift Bags are very Special
December 17th, 2008 at 5:13 am
Not only are the tree-free journal and small photo frame unique and eco-friendly, but the recycled, fairly traded, hand made glass dreidles are dazzling. They can be incorporated into a shining centerpiece when coupled with the Menorah’s light.. The gift bags from this site have made my recipients very happy, and you will feel good about giving items that are kind to the environment and fairly traded.
FilterForGood
December 19th, 2008 at 9:33 am
[...] on what English spelling you prefer. At Low Impact Living, Jessica Jensen’s put together her Thoughts on a Green Chanukah.** Start with natural beeswax or soy candles for your recycled glass menorah, move on to [...]
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