Posted by: The Burke Staff
The staff at the Burke Museum sends it warmest holiday wishes to you. During this season of heightened consumerism, we encourage you to consider your impact on your community and the environment. Here are some of our staff’s personal recommendations for a sustainable holiday season:
• Go organic! Choosing organically grown food and drinks for the holiday season not only keeps our environment clean and healthy, it also treats you and your family to a cleaner, healthier diet! This year try a few new organic fruits, vegetables, meats, and even wines. A 100% organic holiday dinner? Go for it! – Tim Stetter, Environmental Education Coordinator
• I exchange favorite (carefully used) books from the past year with my mom, sister, and niece – this gives us great material for conversation the next time we get together! – Jennifer Dirking, Director of Development
• I am giving local coupon books for gifts this year. They have deals on restaurant meals and tickets to venues all around the area, which is fun to use all year. – Judy Davis, Administrator
• Give the packaging-free gift of an experience. Check out Waste Free Holidays for discounts on Washington experiences: from a Burke membership, to a day at the spa or a night at the opera! - Rebecca Durkin, Public Relations Assistant
• Make a gift to a museum or non-profit in honor of someone. – Anna Frey, Annual Fund Coordinator
• Show support for community initiatives with your gift giving: Habitat for Humanity allows you to purchase in honor of someone a part of a project, like a light fixture or a sink. Mercy Corps kits also make a great gift. – Regan Samul, Museology Graduate Student
• Re-use old newspapers for gift wrapping. – MaryAnn Barron, External Communications Director
• Donate to a charity in someone's name or buy them a gift card so that they can get things they need. – Shana West, Museology Graduate Student
• Serve up fair-trade coffee from places like East Timor to your holiday guests – Laura Phillips, Archaeology Collections Manager
Some additional ideas:
• Skip the disposables and have re-usable dinnerware at your holiday parties.
• Edible gifts!
• Share your holiday party leftovers with your local soup kitchen.
Do you have any ideas of your own? Please share them in the comments section.
- The Burke Staff
