Creation Care at Christmas

How can we incorporate Creation Care into our celebrations of Christ’s birth?  There is so much packaging involved in our cultural celebration of Christmas - plastic and cardboard, decorative papers and many types of ribbon and decorations for packages.  At this point in our preparations, we’re getting ready for our families to unwrap presents. If we set up bags or boxes to separate recyclables from trash when we’re unwrapping presents, we can make the process easier.  A container for recyclable plastic, one for recyclable paper and cardboard and one for trash. Some of the better papers and ribbons are really good for reuse.  If a present with a good paper is opened carefully, the paper may be folded or rolled on a cardboard tube and used next Christmas.  So add provision for reusable wrappings.    
Regular and glossy wrapping paper is recyclable unless it has non-paper additives like metallic flakes, colored shapes, glitter and plastics. Foil, metallic and heavily laminated wrapping paper should also be thrown away instead of recycled.  Please do not recycle foil, plastic coating, ribbon, bows and glitter. They go into the trash. Prior years’ Christmas cards make great labels for presents. Cut off the front of the card, use tape and put it on a package. If you’re a rabid declutterer, cards may be donated.  If you don’t have a local place to give them, St. Jude’s Ranch for Children accepts most greeting cards. The address for their Recycled Cards Program is available online.  

May the light of Christmas and the love for God’s creation be with us throughout the year.