Waukegan Public Library - holidays

Green Christmas

Sara T — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 20:47:35 +0000

How many trips have you made to the mall this holiday season? Not to rub it in, but I have made none! This year, I chose to cut down on my list of gift recipients and give each person a handmade gift. I’ve made two trips to the craft store and spent about $35. I don’t have any children so my list is admittedly shorter than most, but my gifting philosophy can be easily adapted to fit your situation. Here are a few gifts I’ve made:

Book boxes. For the cost of a jar of Mod Podge and a donation to the library’s used book sale, I’ve made 5 unique, personalized book boxes.

Christmas tree ornaments. I bought plain glass ornaments from the craft store for $2.99 and decoupaged them with book pages (leftovers from my book boxes). I also ripped some pages into strips, curled them around a narrow paintbrush handle, and dropped them into clear glass ornaments. I added glitter on the bottom for some sparkle.

Baby bath towel. This is simply a towel with a washcloth sewn into one corner. The little one puts the washcloth corner over his head and he can run around with his towel as a superhero cape!

Coasters. If you don’t know how to crochet, learn! I made a set of six coasters from yarn I had left over from other projects. Note: To access the pattern in this link, you’ll need to create a free account at the Lion Yarn website.

Cookie mix. Layer the dry ingredients for a batch of cookies in a mason jar, add a bright ribbon and tag, and you’re done! The gift recipient can reuse the jar after she’s made the cookies.

Wishing for a Green Christmas

Sara T — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 15:16:37 +0000

We’ve all done it: filled a big black trash bag with wrapping paper, boxes, ribbon and bows. Instead of buying paper and stick-on bows, wrap your Christmas gifts in brown grocery bags (no one will know!) and tie them up with leftover ribbon or fabric strips from craft projects, old clothes… whatever you can get your hands on. After the presents are opened, recycle the paper and either reuse the ribbon or toss it outside for the birds to feather their nests (natural fibers only, please!). Your presents will be infused with shabby-chic elegance, you’ll cut waste and save money.

More holiday tips to come!

Green Thanksgiving: The Sequel

Sara T — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 15:34:27 +0000

You roasted a free-range turkey. You baked local squash. You served organic wine. You had a green Thanksgiving and it was great! Now you have to clean up. But don’t whip out the overpowering cleaners that sting your nose and make your head hurt. You can get your kitchen clean without using nasty chemicals and spending a lot of money with a few basic supplies:

Microfiber cloths. Dampen with water and apply a little elbow grease and your microfiber cloth can clean just about anything. I use them to clean countertops, walls, the inside of the fridge… I’ve cleaned just about everything in the kitchen with a microfiber cloth. I even use one in place of disposable Swiffer cloths. They require no cleaning solution and you can use them over and over.

Vinegar. Clean glass surfaces with an equal mixture of white distilled vinegar and warm water. Wipe the stovetop with it, too.

Baking soda. Baking soda acts as a gentle abrasive, making it easier to scrub messes without harming the finish on your counters or appliances (don’t use on marble countertops). Just mix a little baking soda with water to form a paste and scrub with a damp sponge. Try this paste on plastic storage containers – it eliminates smells and discoloration without scratching the plastic.

Lemons. Yep, just lemons. Cut one in half and use it to polish copper.

Salt. Salt is both an abrasive and grease absorber. Just don’t use it to scrub anything you want to maintain a shine on (stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, shiny copper, etc.). Mix some salt with lemon juice and baking soda to scrub the oven.

When you’re done cleaning, skip the air freshener and simmer some apple cider, cinnamon sticks and orange peel on the stovetop. Happy Thanksgiving!

Clean for the Holidays

Sara T — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 15:53:13 +0000

I love pulling out the good china and silver to use for the holidays, but I hate polishing silver! The chemicals give me a headache and it makes my hands grimy. If you’re tired of polishing silver, try this green trick instead:

Find a glass or ceramic container big enough to hold your silver. Line the bottom with aluminum foil.
Next, put your silver in the container. Don’t overlap the pieces.
Sprinkle all the silver liberally with baking soda. You just used all the chemicals you’re going to use for this chore. Awesome, right?
Now pour boiling water (carefully!) in the container until your silver is submerged. You’ll see and hear the baking soda fizzing away the tarnish.
Let it sit until the fizzing stops and the silver is cool enough to handle. Admire the tarnish that has magically adhered itself to the aluminum foil.

Rinse the silver and dry it with a soft cloth. You’re welcome!

Green Thanksgiving

Sara T — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 00:15:40 +0000

Have you ever noticed how many more bags of trash leave your front door during the holidays? Start reducing the amount of trash you produce this Thanksgiving with small steps: trade cans of soda for large bottles, use real china and silver instead of disposables and pull out cloth napkins instead of paper (no, you don’t have to iron them). Instead of buying flowers for a centerpiece, scatter some leaves from the front yard down the center of the table and cut holes in the tops of apples for tealights. Easy!