Good morning. As we are just about to head off to a very soggy Santa Claus Parade today I am getting more and more into the holiday spirit.

There’s lots of creating going on around our house – our first batch of almond toffee appeared a few days ago, sparkling walnut ornaments, homemade pompom bows made of yarn and piles of art-turned-wrapping paper have taken over our dining room.

Every time we head out to do a bit of shopping, I love the reaction the tiny person has – squealing with absolute excitement over all of the lights and creations popping up around the Valley.

But, I am most inspired when she sees something that looks a bit like something we’ve created and screams “Mommy, we made one of those by ourselves.”

She’s very proud of her holiday creations.

We’ve declared a homemade holiday season this year, spending rainy days creating some cool memories.

It’s also about reducing our impact on the Earth this year.

Did you know that December is the biggest trash month of the year, and that lots of traditional holiday trappings like most wrapping paper, bows, ribbon and packaging, cannot be recycled.

That makes me gulp a bit. So much that Our Big Earth sat down recently with the educational services crew from the Comox Valley Regional District to pull together a plan to help us all reduce our waste this season.

What we collectively created is the 2008 Holiday Green Guide – a fun, festive tool to use this holiday season to think green, sustainable and local while getting into the spirit of it all.

We’ve got project tutorials, tips for alternatives and all kinds of goodness.

Download the full guide: 2008 Holiday Green Guide

Or a pared down, printer-friendly version: Printer Friendly 2008 Holiday Green Guide

This year, when expressing love or friendship for each other, lets consider the environmental impact of your celebrations.

Together we can make “Better Choices for a Better Future.”