Less is more this holiday season. With parties and presents around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about ways to conserve energy and contribute less to landfills without compromising your fun and festivities.

Create a welcoming entrance that won’t leave your guests cold. Bright, colourful LED string lights use 90 per cent less energy than conventional strings and are more durable with a useful life of approximately four years of continuous operation.

Once your guests have arrived, it’s time to let the food and drinks flow. Did you know that every holiday season, average household waste increases by 25 per cent? Katie Harper, the sustainability leader at Sears Canada says that “the best way to do your part is to think of creative ways to cut back on waste.”

For example, rather than serving single-use cans of pop and bottled waters, try one of the hot new home carbonation systems like SodaStream. Add a variety of syrup flavours to your fresh tap water – ranging from cola and ginger ale to lemon lime and cranberry – and let the SodaStream create a delicious, fun and “green” element to your party.

Set up a “soda bar” at your next holiday party and let your guests choose their favourite flavours and garnishes. With so many flavours and options, guests can enjoy mixing their own alcoholic or non-alcoholic versions of fizzy festive drinks. When the party is over, you can feel good about not having to wrestle with a recycling bin full of pop cans – and doing your part to reduce waste.

Instead of paper, wrap party mementos in a colourful tea towel or in a beautiful organic napkin. At Sears, take a look at EcoGear line for ideas that will give your guests two gifts in one.

More information to make your holidays greener is available online at www.sears.ca.

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