‘Tis the season for spreading joy and reducing waste in Goshen! The City of Goshen’s Department of Environmental Resilience is excited to announce the 3rd Annual Mirth Tree Ornament Exchange, a festive initiative to celebrate the holidays in an eco-friendly way.
This is the third year residents are encouraged to create ornaments from items that can be found or recycled, then hang them on the Mirth Tree to spread holiday cheer. The tree is located outside the Goshen Utilities Business Office, 203 S. 5th Street. To reduce waste, ornaments are encouraged to be made from natural or recycled materials.
If you aren’t sure where to start, get your creative juices flowing by visiting an ornament-making station. We’ll provide all the materials you need for a creative and environmentally conscious crafting session.
- The Goshen Public Library, any time from December 1 through 22
- The Green Bee, any time from December 1 through 22
- The Electric Brew, Tuesday, December 12, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
If you are making ornaments at home, please keep these things in mind:
- Please refrain from using glass. We want to keep everyone safe and avoid broken glass.
- Paper and cardboard are great materials, but the weather may ruin the ornament because the tree is outside.
- Please do not use any glitter. While glitter appeals to the eye, its adverse effects on the environment outweigh the visual appeal.
- Here are some suggestions for materials to use:
- Buttons
- Ribbons
- Popsicle sticks
- Wooden beads
- Sticks, Acorns, Pinecones, and other natural materials
Starting Christmas Eve, individuals can return and take an ornament home to hang on a tree. Individuals are still welcome to take an ornament from the Mirth Tree even if they did not make one.
Join us in making a difference, one ornament at a time, and let the Mirth Tree become a symbol of joy, community, and environmental stewardship this holiday season.