9 Ways to Win the Holidays in the City

November 25, 2014

One-horse open sleighs dashing across the snowy fields are nice. But spend your holidays in the city, and you’re in for prime seasonal cheer. From the convenience of local everything to the abundance of free festivities, here are nine ways to ace your urban holidays — and keep them eco-friendly, too.

 

1. Green your tannenbaum: Though it's a common assumption that artificial Christmas trees are the most eco-friendly arboreal option, some studies estimate that they'll need to be re-used up to 20 years in a row to neutralize their carbon footprints. Rejoice: It's time to welcome fresh pine-y aromas back into your apartment. But if neither option feels, ahem, green enough, some companies even let you rent a living Christmas tree. Avoid subway death stares and opt for a quick zip to bring your tree home.

Photo courtesy of Elena Elisseeva/Hemera/Thinkstock
2. Don't toss the tree when you're done: If you did go for a real tree this year – or even chopped it down yourself, you lumberjack, you – don't just kick it to the curb once January arrives. Follow these recycling guidelines to ensure it won't just get chucked in a landfill once the holiday magic wears off.

Photo courtesy of Baloncici/iStock/Thinkstock
3. Cut down on the garbage: And speaking of landfills: Given the volumes of wrapping paper and boxes, cards, and packaging that the holidays generate, it's no wonder waste disposal skyrockets this time of year. Be proactive and use cloth bags, glass jars, and other reusable wrapping. Better yet, track your green progress with an app like Re-APP to see how much you've conserved.

Photo courtesy of SakisPagonas/iStock/Thinkstock
4. Volunteer: December is the season of giving...and giving back. If you're spending your holidays in the city, odds are there are dozens of nearby charities who could use your help. Sites like VolunteerMatch help pair good people with good causes.

Photo courtesy of Brand X Pictures/Stockbyte/Thinkstock
5. Go on a hot chocolate crawl: Fact: Urban environs have the highest concentration of cafes and coffee shops. Fact: Pretty much all of them will serve hot chocolate (bonus points for gingerbread cookies). You know what to do. Here's a guide to kick off your crawl.

Photo courtesy of bhofack2/iStock/Thinkstock
6. Go free: One of the best parts about spending the holidays in the city? You don't have to shell out to get in the spirit. Peep over-the-top department store windows, wander into your local park (sure to be strewn with twinkling lights), drag a sheet pan outside and you've got your own sled. And, if you're feeling super nostalgic, you can even roast chestnuts in your oven. (This will also keep your apartment cozy.)

Photo courtesy of Artfoliophoto/iStock/Thinkstock
7. Gift locally: Looking to support local artists and businesses this season? For urban-dwellers, it's a cinch. Be on the lookout for independent holiday markets, pop-up craft fairs, artsy small businesses, and charity-supporting flea markets, which should be ubiquitous this time of year. Play your cards right and you won't have to set foot in a department store even once.

Photo courtesy of vschlichting/iStock/Thinkstock
8. Decorate sustainably: We hate to be the bearers of bad news, but all those pretty lights in your windows? They're not doing much for your electricity bills. Luckily, there are alternatives when it comes to giving your apartment its annual, tinsel-strewn makeover: Natural wax candles scented with essential oils are chemical-free, while strings of LED lights won't burn out after one night. Complement them with hand-collected boughs and foraged pinecones. Cheap and cheerful.

Photo courtesy of StefiRaich/iStock/Thinkstock
9. Find holiday alternatives: Not planning on celebrating certain holidays – or simply of the Grinchy persuasion? Don't worry, this is the city: It's always open. Beyond the local Chinese restaurant, there are whole Chinatowns to explore – as well as other restaurants, parks, neighborhoods, and activities. Festive or not, you've certainly got options. What holiday gems have you discovered in your city?

Photo courtesy of Tzido/iStock/Thinkstock
1. Green your tannenbaum: Though it's a common assumption that artificial Christmas trees are the most eco-friendly arboreal option, some studies estimate that they'll need to be re-used up to 20 years in a row to neutralize their carbon footprints. Rejoice: It's time to welcome fresh pine-y aromas back into your apartment. But if neither option feels, ahem, green enough, some companies even let you rent a living Christmas tree. Avoid subway death stares and opt for a quick zip to bring your tree home.

Photo courtesy of Elena Elisseeva/Hemera/Thinkstock
2. Don't toss the tree when you're done: If you did go for a real tree this year – or even chopped it down yourself, you lumberjack, you – don't just kick it to the curb once January arrives. Follow these recycling guidelines to ensure it won't just get chucked in a landfill once the holiday magic wears off.

Photo courtesy of Baloncici/iStock/Thinkstock
3. Cut down on the garbage: And speaking of landfills: Given the volumes of wrapping paper and boxes, cards, and packaging that the holidays generate, it's no wonder waste disposal skyrockets this time of year. Be proactive and use cloth bags, glass jars, and other reusable wrapping. Better yet, track your green progress with an app like Re-APP to see how much you've conserved.

Photo courtesy of SakisPagonas/iStock/Thinkstock
4. Volunteer: December is the season of giving...and giving back. If you're spending your holidays in the city, odds are there are dozens of nearby charities who could use your help. Sites like VolunteerMatch help pair good people with good causes.

Photo courtesy of Brand X Pictures/Stockbyte/Thinkstock
5. Go on a hot chocolate crawl: Fact: Urban environs have the highest concentration of cafes and coffee shops. Fact: Pretty much all of them will serve hot chocolate (bonus points for gingerbread cookies). You know what to do. Here's a guide to kick off your crawl.

Photo courtesy of bhofack2/iStock/Thinkstock
6. Go free: One of the best parts about spending the holidays in the city? You don't have to shell out to get in the spirit. Peep over-the-top department store windows, wander into your local park (sure to be strewn with twinkling lights), drag a sheet pan outside and you've got your own sled. And, if you're feeling super nostalgic, you can even roast chestnuts in your oven. (This will also keep your apartment cozy.)

Photo courtesy of Artfoliophoto/iStock/Thinkstock
7. Gift locally: Looking to support local artists and businesses this season? For urban-dwellers, it's a cinch. Be on the lookout for independent holiday markets, pop-up craft fairs, artsy small businesses, and charity-supporting flea markets, which should be ubiquitous this time of year. Play your cards right and you won't have to set foot in a department store even once.

Photo courtesy of vschlichting/iStock/Thinkstock
8. Decorate sustainably: We hate to be the bearers of bad news, but all those pretty lights in your windows? They're not doing much for your electricity bills. Luckily, there are alternatives when it comes to giving your apartment its annual, tinsel-strewn makeover: Natural wax candles scented with essential oils are chemical-free, while strings of LED lights won't burn out after one night. Complement them with hand-collected boughs and foraged pinecones. Cheap and cheerful.

Photo courtesy of StefiRaich/iStock/Thinkstock
9. Find holiday alternatives: Not planning on celebrating certain holidays – or simply of the Grinchy persuasion? Don't worry, this is the city: It's always open. Beyond the local Chinese restaurant, there are whole Chinatowns to explore – as well as other restaurants, parks, neighborhoods, and activities. Festive or not, you've certainly got options. What holiday gems have you discovered in your city?

Photo courtesy of Tzido/iStock/Thinkstock
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