Making Easter A Little “Greener”

Hippy Hop to a greener Easter. Here are some easy ways to make a difference!

Eggs
Dye your free-farmed or organic eggs naturally by dipping them in vegetable- and fruit-based dyes, instead of using artificial colors. Create the dyes by boiling vegetables, fruits or juices in four cups of water and one-half cup of vinegar. For pink, use cranberry juice; for blue, use red cabbage or blueberries; for lavender, use grape juice; and for yellow, use orange peels. The longer the colors simmer, the darker the color.

Baskets
Don’t buy new Easter baskets; find and dust off last year’s. Or repurpose other baskets you stashed away. Don’t have any? Support the ancient craft of basket-weaving around the world and buy fair-trade baskets at Cost Plus, Macy’s or other retailers. Then reduce your waste by reusing a decorated Easter basket as your dining table centerpiece.

Grass
Cellophane grass might be bright and pretty lining an Easter basket, but it sits in our landfills because it’s not biodegradable. Other options include using fresh greenery or shredding colored craft paper into strips. Also, there’s now also edible Easter grass. If your kids don’t eat it, don’t worry: It’s biodegradable.

Candy
There’s no reason to load up on candy containing artificial colors and flavoring and processed ingredients. Instead, opt for organic and fair trade chocolates and organic jelly beans. Check with your local chocolatier or natural foods market or order online.

• Purchase candy that doesn’t come with excess packaging.
• Try organic, fair-trade chocolate
• Or, buy an egg- or bunny-shaped mold and teach your kids how to make their own Easter chocolate.

Party favors

Spring is the time to plant. Give Easter gifts that can be planted in the yard or pots. Packages of seeds and mini-bulb potted tulips decorated or tied with a piece of ribbon make great gifts that last long after Easter.

• Instead of plastic Easter grass, make your own by putting old magazines or colorful paper through a shredder.

• For a table centerpiece, use a potted plant instead of cut flowers – you’ll be able to enjoy it for much longer. If you buy cut flowers, aim for local or organic.

• Or, use your freshly-dyed eggs as a centerpiece in a beautiful bowl.

Have a safe and Happy Easter!