Tips for an Eco Friendly Easter

Easter is on it’s way so how about some tips for an eco-friendly Easter weekend?

Egg Hunt
Forget the fake plastic grass, plastic eggs and plastic baskets and go for the real thing. If you don’t have a garden go to a friends/neighbors or head to the local park. Many schools and play groups hold Egg Hunts locally in schools or church grounds. If you need to get a basket instead of plastic opt for a natural basket of metal or wicker instead, these last year after year and have more uses than just for Easter! If you do have plastic eggs, baskets etc, set them aside and reuse them the following year. Remember: reduce, reuse, recycle!

Natural Dyes
Instead of reaching for the chemical additives and dyes go natural this year. Try dying your eggs with foods such as beets, onions, turmeric and coffee. Beet juices can dye eggs in beautiful hues from light pinks to deep red depending on the time soaked. Turmeric can be used for light yellow to deep orange, anyone who has used turmeric in cooking knows this is a strong dye and great for coloring.  For blue eggs try boiling your eggs in a cabbage water solution. Coffee can be used for browns, sienna and black eggs. Think of the colors in nature as see how you can replicate those. This could even be a mini scientific experiment for the children in your home.

Flowers
Instead of cut flowers opt for growing plants, bulbs or seeds. Giving the gift of gardening is far more satisfying than cut flowers that last a brief period of time. Potted plants last weeks and buy perennials that will last a lifetime. Bulbs come back year after year, continuing to bloom season after season.

Chocolate
It’s candy time again, and now is a great opportunity to sample organic, fair trade chocolate. Remember also if you are putting on an Easter celebration that there may be vegans, so look for vegan alternatives too as they are more environmentally friendly. Perhaps this is also a good time to try carob instead of chocolate?

Gifts
As well as candy how about giving some art supplies, homemade confectionery, or other eco-friendly gifts. Gift giving this time of year isn’t just about candy, so think outside the box!

dalgal | My Bio & Articles