Published: Dec 01, 2017 | 19:19 PM

Trim the Tree and Turn Down the Tap

The holiday season can be a frenzied time. While you’re running here and there all around the square, make sure your faucets aren’t running too. Practice these holiday water habits:

Entertain efficiently. Defrost frozen foods in the fridge overnight instead of thawing them out in tap water. Wash vegetables in a large bowl of water rather than running the faucet—then reuse the water in your garden.

Be mindful after mealtime. Scrape dirty dishes clean and dump the scrapings in the trash instead of rinsing the dishes with water. Remember not to pour fats, oils or grease down the drain. To reduce loads in the dishwasher, be sure to fi ll it up and use water-saving settings if available.

Sing in the shower. Singing is good for the soul—and can help you reduce your shower time. Aim to sing just one carol while you’re lathering—then zip out when your song is through. A few suggestions to get you in the spirit: “All I Want for Christmas Is You” (Mariah Carey), “Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays” (*NSYNC), “Frosty the Snowman” (The Ronettes), “Santa Baby” (Eartha Kitt), “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” (The Jackson 5), and to inspire the Sierra snowpack this winter, “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!” (Michael Bublé).