Chip, Don't Pitch this Year's Christmas Tree

City recycling live trees now through Feb. 3.

Why not scatter the live Christmas tree around the yard this year instead of pitching it on the tree lawn? The city is offering a free live Christmas tree recycling program now until Feb. 3. Those interested can take the tree down to the Parks and Recreation Department , located at 5070 Stow Rd., near the location for brush drop-off , and have it chipped instead of trashed. Trees should be void of all bags, ornaments, garland and tinsel, said Linda Nahrstedt, a spokesperson at City Hall . City crews will take the pine trees have them chipped into mulch by a contractor in 2013.  The mulch will be available to Stow residents for free on a first-come, first-serve basis, said Nahrstedt. (A photo I.D. is required for proof of residency.) …

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Please, Make it Stop

Three Ways to be Green After the Holidays

Not sure what to do with your Christmas cards, unwanted gifts and leftover cookies? Read on.

Now that Christmas is over, you probably have at least three items you don't know what to do with: Christmas cards, unwanted gifts and leftover cookies. There are easy solutions, however. If you're like me, you feel bad about throwing away all the Christmas cards you received. So, at the end of the season, I gather up my Christmas cards and cut out the pictures using scissors with a scalloped edge. Pinking shears would work well too. Depending on the picture, I either keep it square or cut around the shape. Then, with a hole punch, I make a single hole at the top of the picture. I store these away with my Christmas wrapping paper and use them as gift tags the following year. The tags are always unique and are beautiful enough to sometimes …

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Amanda Harnocz

1:47 pm on Saturday, January 8, 2011

Just cut up this year's Christmas cards for tags. Such a creative idea, thanks Jenna!   more ›