In third century Turkey, a young man heard of a family in dire need. One night he snuck to their house, dropped a bag of gold inside a window and slipped away. His generosity saved the family and earned him a reputation that lives on to this day. We call him Saint Nick.

Our Christmas holiday developed in medieval Europe. After the harvest had been brought in, the wine had fermented and it was cold enough to butcher the livestock, the peasants (hired hands) would bang on the manor door and demand a share of the bounty. The lord of the manor let them in and served them food and drink as a reward for their labor.

In early American cities young men roamed the streets drinking, shooting and banging on the doors of the wealthy. In 1823 in an effort to steer the season in a new direction Clement Moore wrote “T’was the night before Christmas…” and the holiday gradually evolved from a raucous street rally to a cozy family occasion. Saint Nicholas re-emerged as a “peddler just opening his pack” distributing gifts to children. America embraced the new traditions of decorating trees, giving presents and shopping.

Since then we’ve become obsessed with the holiday. Advertisements start appearing in October. Houses are choked with lights and gifts. Americans, who are already extreme consumers, ramp it up 10 times more for the holidays.

It’s time to reconsider what’s most important: peace, hope, joy, family. In this modern age of economic and environmental crisis, it’s time to pause and consider the impact of our run away consumption and resulting waste.

Our garbage increases 25 percent between Thanksgiving and New Year’s. It not only costs us more, it takes a huge toll on global natural resources, increases pollution and fills up our dumps. So here are a few ideas to reduce holiday waste.

Visit: www.directmail.com/junk_mail to get off the mailing lists. Open those unwanted solicitations in your mailbox. If there’s an envelope with a postage paid stamp, write “Please remove my name from your mailing list” on the stuff inside and send it all back. They’ll have to pay the postage both ways which will motivate them to scratch your name from their list. Then carefully guard your name and address.

Get decorations from thrift shops that support local charities. Use LED lights. Avoid using disposable dishes for holiday parties. Or use paper plates with no waxy coating. When the party’s over scrape off the food and add them to your compost pile. For tips on composting visit www.wastewise.wsu.edu.

Most folks say they already have too much stuff. Instead if giving them more, make a donation to their favorite charity (their child’s classroom, the food bank or an international organization). Make Saint Nick proud.

The best gifts are your time and talents so make some presents this year. Make baked goods, wood work or sewing projects. Use computers to make cards, calendars, or a booklet of family recipes. Record songs or children’s stories for the kids. Give homemade gift certificates for a pie, a tune-up, baby-sitting or yard care. Re-gift your favorite books.

If you shop, keep it local. For every $100 dollars you spend at a locally owned and operated business, $45 stays here in town. Spend $100 in a national chain store and only $13 will benefit your community. Shop at a holiday bazaar. Give green gifts, re-usable bags, a worm bin or bike helmet. Wrap gifts in old maps or event posters. Decorate paper produce bags with rubber stamps. Adorn them with a sprig of holly.

If you buy a live Christmas tree, water it well and plant it in an appropriate place soon after the holiday. A Douglas fir can grow almost 300 feet tall. It’s too large for a small lot but you could donate it to a city park. In Oak Harbor call Hank Nydam at 279-4756. If it’s a native tree call 675-3767 to donate it to Deception Pass State Park.

Celebrate the season. We are surrounded by natural beauty. Let’s do what we can to preserve it. Give this gift to the children of tomorrow.

Maribeth Crandell is the city of Oak Harbor’s environmental coordinator.