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12:22 p.m. • 2-11-12

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Greg Behr and Billy Warden (Photo courtesy of CurtisBrownPhotography.com)

Greening the Generations

Billy and Greg are trying to figure out what 'green' really means. Billy Warden carries the flag for Gen X and runs Billy Warden Communications & Imagination Group (www.billywarden.com). Greg Behr champions Gen Y and heads up Figurative Hats Consulting (get it, heads and hats?).

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Greening the Generations: 'Ho ho ho' or 'No no no?'

BILLY: Ah, Christmas. For every "Ho ho ho," the planet moans back, "No no no!" But in this post, meet the elves of energy efficiency and green giving!

GREG: Aw, wow, Billy, are you offering to offset my entire holiday plans? Including my trip to see my pen pal in Tokyo? Well, maybe that is too much to ask, but would it be rude to inquire what kind of sustainable present you bought me this year?

BILLY: With all the pen pal, grandma and other trips, plus the lights, wrapping paper and petroleum-based gifts, Christmas is a steep climate change challenge. No hint on your present ('cause I still have no clue), but count on grocery bag wrapping paper made fancy and hip by a bow created from old VHS tape. Any hints on what I can do to green my Christmas tree?

GREG: Well, you could take a whole new look at the idea of the Christmas tree. Get rid of that old fashioned Christmas tree stand in favor of a pot and roots...and dirt. Why cut down a tree when you can have a live one right there in your living room that you can then take outside, re-plant and enjoyed for years to come!

Replant your Christmas tree.

And, as always, think LED when it comes to making that tree sparkle.

BILLY: Good point. Rudolph, the little power hog, needs a new LED nose. Also, purge the plastic decorations and learn to love pine cones and natural branches.

GREG: Enough with the nature – my special someone may be a little disappointed this year with all of the tools for a compost pile. Do you know of any fun, romantic gifts that really hold the spirit of the season?

BILLY: Jeez, your special someone has suffered sooo much with you (remember the ill-fated soybean sundress you gave her last summer??!!) She deserves something cool. Try Rosy Revolver – funky jewelry crafted here in Raleigh from reclaimed stuff ... even old door knobs!

Plus, give CONSUMABLES ... Tickets to the movies or your fave local hardcore band. A home made delicacy. A self-penned certificate for a foot massage or mud wrestling match. Anything that doesn't pile up. We gotta break the 'stuff' addiction.

GREG: And duh, what are we thinking ... mistletoe. Very green. Very romantic.

BILLY: And if the right person's involved, no need to turn up the thermostat to warm up! Merry Christmas!

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Come on!!! I think that people who just come to America!! Need to learn OUR!!! Traditions!!! I dont see any harm in the chritmas song that has been around every since Ive been in this world!!! If U DONT LIKE HOW US AMERICANS DO THIS! THEN GO BACK TO WHERE U CAME FROM!!

sorry you don't see the benefit in helping the planet, impatientgirl. i hate it when people are too blind to see the destruction we are causing and think about the effects it will have on the future. you absolutely have a point about "keep reusing the old plastic ornaments..." as opposed to tossing them in the landfill to get new ones, but i think the suggestions are more for people who don't have and are planning to go out and get new things. those are the ones who should consider alternatives.

anyway, i tried to be more green this year, and i'm proud of my progress:

-pinecone and holly decorations -consumable gifts -handmade bow instead of a lighted tree topper -re-used corrugated cardboard boxes for wrapping gifts -...and yes, i have some live mistletoe!

Merry Christmas!

Soooo very tired of all the green advice! How about you keep reusing the old plastic ornaments you already have and not throw them into a landfill just so you can tell your friends you're "green" this year???

'No no no' means 'Yes yes yes', Santa.

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