Christmas Special Green Tip #60: Gift Wrapping (or Lack Therof)

As sad as it is to admit it, we've come to the end of the Christmas Special week. It's been so much fun sharing holiday Green Tips with you, but all good things must come to an end. And instead of sharing a fun, witty, insightful holiday Green Tip with you today, I think it would be more fitting if I just talked about the magical spirit that's in the air this time of year. You see, it's not just about commercialism and pretending that the true meaning of the holidays is environmental responsibility in order to promote your blog. It's about spending time with family and-

Shoot!!! I forgot to finish my Christmas shopping!!!! Outta my way!! I need to get to Wal-Mart!

Say, that gives me an idea for a Green Tip #60. Guys, I'm looking more at you than the women on this one. I hate to stereotype, but you know it's true. How often have you forgot to buy something for a loved one's birthday or anniversary or Christmas or bat mitzvah? Well, when you inevitably end up running out the morning of to grab the nearest thing from the shelf of the gas station down the street, you can at least pass it off a little better by following Green Tip #60.

If you don't wrap the present because you got it at the last minute, now you have the valid excuse that it saves paper! She'll never figure out you got it that day. So with this Green Tip and Green Tip #23, you should be off the hook for a really long time.

An alternative to this that was suggested to me by my brother is to wrap your presents in other presents. He suggested wrapping things like movies and games in things like shirts and coats. I say that it would be even better if you do the other way around. If you manage to stuff a shirt into a DVD case, think of all the space you'll save under the tree!

Well, before I head out to the store to finish my shopping, let me say that I hope you have a Merry Christmas and I'll see you next week where I'll be recapping some of the environmental stories of 2009!

Green Tip #22: For Guys Only

Sorry. This tip's not going to be applicable to half of the world's population. It's not that I'm sexist or anything. It's just... well... not something that can work for women. But don't worry! I'll come up with something next time that only women can take advantage of. You know, the whole equal rights and opportunities thing.

But anyway, this came to me one day when I was out taking care of errands and I was ready to go back to my apartment. I don't want to get too specific and graphic here, but I had to use the restroom and I debated when I should go: while I was out or wait and go back to my place. After only about 30 or 40 minutes of internal debate (I'm kidding, it was only a few seconds of debate) I concluded to go while I was out, but mostly because it would be a toilet that I didn't have to clean.

I know, it's a selfish reason, but I got to thinking about it more and realized that I was being more environmentally friendly by using the facilities while I was out compared to my apartment. And the reason for that is that urinals use less water per flush than a conventional toilet. In fact, they even make waterless urinals which are great for the environment.

So basically I'm saying to always use the restroom when you're out as opposed to waiting until you get back. Actually, if you want to go even a step further, you should spend as much time away from your house as possible. An easy way to accomplish this is by spending all your time at work, assuming your work has urinals. Think about it. You save water, you save gas from never driving home, and you can earn lots of overtime!

Anyway, it's not the best Green Tip, but think about it guys next time you use a urinal. One simple flush can save the environment, maybe just a little bit at a time.