Eddie Seagle is a Sustainability Associate, Golf Environment Organization (Scotland), Agronomist and Horticulturalist, CSI: Seagle (Consulting Services International), Professor Emeritus and Honorary Alumnus (Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College), Distinguished Professor for Teaching and Learning (University System of Georgia) and Short Term Missionary (Heritage Church, Moultrie). Direct inquiries to csi_seagle@yahoo.com.

“Christmas gift suggestions: To your enemy, forgiveness. To an opponent, tolerance. To a friend, your heart. To a customer, service. To all, charity. To every child, a good example. To yourself, respect.” Oren Arnold. “Christmas is not as much about opening our presents as opening our hearts.” Janice Maeditere. “The best of all gifts around a Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other.” Burton Hillis.

Christmas is only 9 days away and families are very busy trying to get everything completed for this special holiday. Make the effort to minimize any stress that might accompany you during this time of the year. Take the time to enjoy each moment because we will not travel this same path again. Next year will be a different year with different strategies and different paths.

Here are some suggestions that you might consider using during this Christmas season. Select real trees rather than artificial ones to decorate your home for Christmas. Both have positives and negatives under the banner of environmental awareness and good stewardship. Even though real trees contribute to helping produce the oxygen we breathe, artificial trees impact the environment through resource depletion much more than using real trees. If you’re choosing a real tree, buy local.

Approximately 60 million rolls of gift wrap paper are used at this time each year with much of it from non-recycled sources. Consider being more artistic and environmental-friendly by using reusable cloth bags and recycled paper. Gift bags that can be reused time and again are a good choice too. What do you use to wrap your holiday gifts?

Use LED lights throughout your home, both in decorations and function. If you’re still using that classic string of lights from “way back when,” you need to update and upgrade. The newer LED lights use much less power (up to 90 percent more energy efficient) while offering both function and aesthetics.

Many of the toys, gadgets and devices found under the tree on Christmas morning may require many batteries which are filled with toxic chemicals and ultimately end up in landfills. Rather than buying multiple huge packs of standard alkaline batteries, consider buying rechargeable batteries, especially the ones that can be recharged in a USB port.

Reconsider your method and frequency of transportation during the holidays. For short trips around town, minimize the frequency by planning ahead and getting as much done as possible in one trip on any given day. Take a road trip to visit family, rather than flying. This approach will be more environmentally-friendly and provide a bonding time for you and your family (which is something that is being lost in today’s families).

Enter into an agreement with friends and family to ban unnecessary Christmas presents. Gift them your time and conversation instead. Use that funding and more to buy food and clothing for the homeless and needy.

Choose a charity to help support. Many mission trips are being planned locally, nationally and globally. Select a reputable mission team to help in financing their next trip.

Don’t borrow money to buy for Christmas. However, if you must, then get a zero percent credit card that offers a small credit line. Plan to repay immediately after the holidays. Many grocery stores offer gas cards at a bargain (20% discount, ie. $50 for $40). And yes, there are strings attached, meaning you have to buy a certain amount of groceries to be eligible to buy the cards.

Chat to friends and family via web. Christmas is often a time for family and friends but if yours are a long way away, save on the phone costs with free alternatives and talk for free anywhere in the world over the web. Plan these conversations to effectively use this option.

Retail in America is changing quickly from shopping at the traditional stores and malls to buying on-line. Do your homework and check out vendors before buying on-line. What is more important to you, shopping locally or searching the web for real deals? Make a list and check it twice. Make a classic shopping list and stick to it. Be very careful with impulse buying. Don’t buy anything that is not needed. This will help you better manage your holiday budget. When buying gifts, be sure the retailer provides you a gift receipt which will allow the recipient to make exchanges, get refunds, etc. when an item doesn’t fit or accommodate them.

Consider after-the-holiday sales. Many seasonal items (giftwrap, Christmas cards, decorations, etc.) are marked down after Christmas, sometimes up to 90% off. Also, you should consider a gift card as your Christmas gift to friends and family so they can find a bargain in clothes, electronics, etc. after the holiday has passed. Don’t overbuy your food items at the grocery store since many bargains will be BOGO (buy one get one free) – only buy what you need during a specific window of time.

To help in energy savings during the Christmas season use candles, LED Christmas lights and permanent fixtures, as well as placing time limits on the burning of all lights. Don’t burn your Christmas lights 24/7 – choose specific times during the day or night that will give you and your guests greatest enjoyment. Turn them off when you retire for the evening. With permanent fixtures, don’t burn every light in house simultaneously. When you leave a room, turn those lights out, as well as electronic equipment. Unplug phone chargers when not in use. If you have a fireplace, use it and save on heating costs. In your holiday cooking, selectively use the microwave and toaster ovens for smaller tasks and use your main oven for larger cooking tasks. While cooking on the stove, keep the lids on your pots so your food will cook in less time.

Many people tend to use the car more during the holidays because of all the shopping and running around they do in preparation for planned events. Plan your trips so that you can minimize the number of time you have to drive to the store. If you are close to your venders, try walking or riding a bicycle which is healthier and saves valuable resources. If you are looking for an inexpensive family outing, leave the car in the garage and walk around the neighborhood to look at your neighbor’s Christmas decorations. If you are having family or friends over for a party, take advantage of the body heat that will generated in your home and turn those thermostats down. Also, use flannel sheets and heavier blankets on your beds and let your body generate heat under the covers to keep you warm so you can have another opportunity to turn down the thermostat at night.

May the results of your holiday efforts be photo opps and memory-makers for seasons to come. Select awesome seasonal plants for the upcoming holidays. Enjoy the Christmas lights in your area. Also, plan a road trip to enjoy Christmas lights with all that splendor and beauty of the season.

As you receive blessings, always pay them forward. Pay for a stranger’s meal the next time you are eating out! Let’s keep everyone safe and secure while we enjoy this CHRISTmas season. Enjoy the holiday bowl games while you cheer for your favorite teams. May your decorating efforts provide you with an atmosphere filled with ornamental appeal and spiritual contentment this season. A very Merry CHRISTmas season to all and to all, Happy December activities with family and friends! Make it a December to remember! Happy Birthday to our lovely daughter, Autumn, on the 17th!

“The Lord Himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with Child and will give birth to a Son, and will call Him Immanuel.” Isaiah 7:14. “When the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons.” Galatians 4:4-5.

Seagle is a Sustainability Associate, Golf Environment Organization (Scotland), Agronomist and Horticulturalist, CSI: Seagle (Consulting Services International), Professor Emeritus and Honorary Alumnus (Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College), Distinguished Professor for Teaching and Learning (University System of Georgia) and Short Term Missionary (Heritage Church, Moultrie). Direct inquiries to csi_seagle@yahoo.com.