How To Have A "GREEN" Christmas This Year!

As the fall is upon us, we in the retail industry turn our thoughts to the upcoming Christmas season. I, for one, HATE to walk in a store in September and see Christmas displays everywhere!However........when you're the "Little Guy" amongst the "Big Stores", if you don't jump on the boat when they do, you miss it!

Now, you won't walk in to my store, Hyde Park Floral and Garden, in September and see Christmas displays everywhere - I refuse to put them out too soon! But you can bet that it's in the works!

First on the agenda, is letting everyone know that we are only purchasing FRESH trees, wreaths, garlands and greens this year in an effort to contribute to the best Environmental Choice for our customers. (Not to say that you won't find artificial decorations, because we do have lots left over from last year, so we have to try to discount them to try to deplete that inventory.)

Here's some facts I discovered at the National Christmas Tree Association website that brings me to this choice:

Real Christmas Trees ... The Environmental Choice

During the 2005 holiday season, 32.8 million Real Christmas Trees were purchased for display
in homes nationwide. These consumers made the choice of a Real Tree for a variety of reasons
– the fresh scent, the beauty of the evergreen, the traditions of the holidays – but what
they may not have known is that a Real Tree is also a wise environmental choice.
Here are some facts to consider:

# Around 98% of Real Christmas Trees are grown on farms throughout all 50 states and Canada. These trees are planted to be harvested, just as corn is cultivated for harvest.

# The Christmas Tree industry in the United States employs more than 100,000 Americans
(part- and full-time). Meanwhile, 85% of fake trees are made by factory workers in China.

# Every acre of Christmas Trees grown produces the daily oxygen requirement for 18 people.
With approximately 500,000 million acres of trees, 9 million people a day are supplied with oxygen thanks to these trees.

# Real Christmas Trees support life by absorbing carbon dioxide and other greenhouse
gases; they also stabilize soil, protect water supplies and provide a refuge for wildlife.

# For each Real Christmas Tree harvested, up to three new seedlings are planted in its place.
In 2006, more than 42 million new seedlings will be planted by Christmas Tree farmers all
over the United States. And after the holidays, a Real Christmas Tree is the only choice that is completely recyclable. Artificial trees typically end up in landfills, where they will remain for centuries after disposal.

# In a national survey, 69% of consumers who used a Real Tree said they recycled theirs in a
community program.

# Real Christmas Trees are recycled for five main types of large-scale uses for post-harvest
trees. These are:
1) Chipping (chippings are used for various things from mulch to hiking trails)
2) Beachfront erosion prevention
3) Lake and river shoreline stabilization
4) Fish habitat
5) River delta sedimentation management

OUR CHRISTMAS TREES AND GREENS WILL BE IN THE WEEKEND BEFORE THANKSGIVING. SIZES FROM 6' UP TO 11'.

YOU CAN PRE-ORDER YOUR TREE BY GOING TO OUR "CHRISTMAS TREES & GREENS" PAGE ON OUR WEBSITE, http://www.hydeparkfloral.com/

OR JUST CALL OUR SHOP AT 871-9888.

WE WILL OFFER DELIVERY, SET-UP AND REMOVAL