The holiday season has arrived and that usually means lots of purchasing and big spending.  This year, the Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center encourages you to get in touch with your “green” side and consider upcycling as a part of your holiday activities.

You can learn all about upcycling and enjoy lots of festive fun at the annual EHC Green Your Holiday Festival on Tuesday, November 25, 2014, from 10:00am to 3:00pm. Program fees for the Green Your Holiday Festival are $5 for ages 13 and up and $3 for ages three to 12.  Children two and under and EHC members are free.

“Upcycling refers to the use of old, reusable or recycled goods to make something new and exciting,” said Jason West, EHC’s director of programming. “Guests at our Green Your Holiday Festival will enjoy turning leftover materials into great holiday crafts and potential gifts.”

In conjunction with the event, a Holiday Open House and Arts and Crafts Market will be held in the EHC’s Gift Shop and Brewed Café. The open house will feature a number of local artists and artisan produced merchandise, including jewelry, organic bath products, handmade needlework, and origami. Laurens Florist will also be on hand to demonstrate holiday wreath making and table arrangements. There is no charge for guests who only attend the Open House and Arts and Crafts Market. To take the chill off, the Brewed Café will have soups and breads available for purchase. For more information about these events, visit www.gwinnettEHC.org.