As with most things, Christmas has two sides: the open, warm, giving side, and the massive scramble of consumption – both literally and figuratively. But as the lines get longer and the last-minute shopping reaches a feverish pitch, through it all, we catch glimpses of the kindness, love, and generosity that make the season so dear to all our hearts: the little boy dropping coins in the Salvation Army’s red bucket, the reunion of family members separated by thousands of miles, the toys collected for those less fortunate, and the unity displayed by the voices of strangers joined in familiar songs.

With the way Americans’ financial lives have been touched these last few years, more and more of us seem to see beyond the haze of giving and getting to touch the heart of what’s most important – the people and places that make us feel loved, feel special, and feel at home.

And this awareness extends to our planet as well. Increasingly, a green mindset and culture is spreading into our everyday – and our yearly – routines, activities, and traditions. Discussions of what types of Christmas trees are most green and tutorials for handmade gifts using recycled materials are rampant on the Internet, testifying to the extent that Americans are becoming committed to a more environmentally responsible lifestyle.

We at Limo Livery are proud to have joined the ranks of the earth friendly, especially during this festive time of year. As we pick up beloved family members from the airport and take them to their waiting relatives in comfort and relaxation or as we bring a group of old friends around town for a night of wining and dining, we’re proud to know that our impact on the environment is being balanced by carbon offsetting, greenhouse gas reduction strategies, and our growing hybrid fleet.

At every level, we aim to minimize our impact on the environment by implementing the most up-to-date environmental strategies in both our business model and our services. Ultimately, this reflects not only our concern for the planet we inhabit, bur also our commitment to honoring our customers’ desire to live environmentally responsible lives.
This Christmas, take care of Mother Earth, the home of us all, by patronizing companies and organizations that do the same. Merry Christmas from all of us here at Limo Livery. We look forward to another year of serving you.

It’s not surprising that New Orleans’s Christmas lasts all month. As New Orleans Online describes, “For thirty-one days, feast and finery await you in every corner of town.” Let Limousine Livery be there in its understated yet elegant presence to help you and your loved ones experience Christmas New Orleans Style to its fullest potential. Welcome family, friends, and other guests in high style with our Airport Transportation Services. Then let us carry you from one New Orleans delight to another in the height of convenience and comfort.

With friends and family in town to taste all that New Orleans has to offer (both food-wise and otherwise), you’ll need to fill their days with activities. Point them to the New Orleans Museum of Art, where world-famous photography and art collections, including paintings by Degas and Fabrege eggs, will give guests a good dose of culture. History buffs will enjoy The Historic New Orleans Collection in the French Quarter. Or, for a more hands-on experience of New Orleans culture, head over to Jackson Square to watch artists at work right before your eyes.

Not to be overlooked are The National WWII Museum, the Contemporary Arts Center, and the Ogden Museum of Southern Art, which showcases the largest collection of Southern art in the world. These centers of interest are all conveniently clustered in the New Orleans Arts District.

When guests have had their fill of culture, don’t forget about the shopping! The French Quarter in the heart of New Orleans offers some of the best holiday shopping in the country. Take a break with beignets and coffee and saunter through the art galleries sprinkled amongst the streets in this charming and historical neighborhood.

As evening approaches, the real holiday cheer begins to shine forth. Resplendent with auditory, gustatory, and visual delights, Christmas New Orleans Style leaves a lasting impression on locals and visitors alike. Don’t miss the spectacular scenes described in A New Orleans-Style Christmas in Lights and Holiday Displays.

Musical events include candle-lit traditional caroling in Jackson Square, jazz ensembles and gospel singers at St. Louis Cathedral, Christmas Eve on the Steamboat Natchez with the Steamboat Jazz Trio, and the Louisiana Philarmonic Orchestra Brass Quintet playing holiday music at Washington Artillery Park.

Combine enchanting holiday music with another New Orleans tradition, Reveillon, and you have a perfect December night in the making. Reveillon is an old French practice of having long, luxurious dinners on the nights before Christmas. Savor Creole specialties and seasonal delicacies. And prix fixe meals make Reveillon a little easier on the wallet. Participating restaurants include 5 Fifty 5, Antoine’s Restaurant, Bayona, Dickie Brennan’s Steakhouse, Gumbo Shop, Mat & Naddie’s, Muriel’s Jackson Square, and more.

Our immaculately maintained Town Cars, SUVs, and limousines are the perfect complement to a night out on the town and allow you to get to and from your destinations without worrying about locating them, parking, etc. Instead, use travel time to take in the sights and enjoy the company of your loved ones.If you aren’t able to plan your own tour of the Big Easy, enjoy our New Orleans tours in which our experienced and knowledgeable staff guides you through New Orleans’s legendary sights and sounds.

We at Limousine Livery are committed to your utmost satisfaction and we are so happy to help make your Christmas New Orleans Style everything it can be.

This year, why not reduce global warming and improve air quality by lowering your auto emissions at the same time that you lower your family’s stress level? Skip the stressful holiday travel and celebrate an eco-friendly holiday at home.

According to Use Less Stuff, if each family reduced holiday gasoline consumption by 1 gallon (about 20 miles), we would reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 1 million tons. If you find that you can stay at home this year, great!

If you must go over the river and through the woods, there are still ways to make your travel a little bit greener. If you drive, use less fuel and lower your emissions by making sure your car is in good working order, tuned up to handle winter weather and your tires are properly inflated.  How about renting a hybrid for a long trip instead of putting the miles on your own car?

If, like the Two Turtle Doves your travel will involve flying, you’re trip will make a fairly significant to the greenhouse effect.  Instead of giving up air travel, opt for airlines with young fleets – Continental and Jet Blue, for example – the newer aircraft in these fleets have improved fuel efficiency and the companies both have a strong environmental commitment.  Continental Airlines, and others, also have tools for you to neutralize that impact of your flights by buying carbon offsets.  While offsets aren’t the solution to global warming, they can be part of the solution.  If your airline doesn’t provide you with a calculator when you make reservations, use a carbon calculator to estimate what you impact will be and offset your trip emissions this way.

And, if you are just “getting out of town” for the holidays, one of the easiest things you can do to make a vacation greener is to choose a hotel that’s committed to minimizing its own environmental footprint – a task made even easier by the fact that, in addition to all the eco-resorts, most hotel chains and independent properties are hard at work developing green strategies.  Take a look at ResponsibleTravel.com for an easily searchable database of eco-aware hotels and resorts around the world, or Environmentally Friendly Hotels which rates hotels on a scale of 1 to 7 for eco-friendly commitment.

In January 2010, we will be launching a ground transportation calculator on our site so that you will be able to offset your trip to/from the airport–both at home and at your destination.  Keep an eye out in the new year!

Like a Partridge, many of us believe that a big part of our holiday celebrations require a tree–certainly not a “Pear Tree,” but a tree nonetheless.

But, what is a “green” tree?

There is no simple answer and there is an ongoing debate about which is better – a fake or real Christmas tree.

So, I looked to the experts at Grist and TreeHugger for a decision.  Both think that a real tree is the best option.

Why?  Well let’s look at artificial trees.  You’d think that an artificial tree would be the greener option because no real tree is being sacrificed and the artificial tree will be used year after year. No, say the experts.  Artificial trees are generally made of petroleum based plastic, usually PVC.  Even worse, lead is apparently used to stabilize certain PVC products.  Not what I would want the kids, or in my case pets, playing around for a month or so.

Since most Christmas lot trees are now grown on tree farms, some argue that it doesn’t really hurt the forests when they are cut down because they are generally replanted.  As a matter of fact, an estimated 40 million to 45 million trees were planted in 2008 in North America, according to the National Christmas Tree Association. While they are growing, trees in the tree farms provide habitat for wildlife, remove dust and pollen from the air and absorb carbon dioxide. Plus they smell good.

And the “real tree” advocates also argue in favor of fresh trees because artificial ones must travel great distances – often from China – to get into the stores.   Of course, one of the downsides of a real tree is what is done with it after the season – trees in landfills are not terribly “green”.

So, if you decide that you are going to be one of the 33 million North Americans that will have a real Christmas tree in your home this year, recycle it at the end of the season, rather than throwing it in the trash. By recycling your fresh Christmas tree, you can reduce the amount of waste going to your local landfill. Recycled trees are often turned into wood chips and/or mulch that local county park landscapers and homeowners can use around their existing yard plants. Many local cities are now offering tree recycling pick-up for free. Just contact your local recycling center for instructions and pick-up dates in your area.

It is that time of year when we take the time to reflect on what is important to us and say thank you.  Without our customers, we wouldn’t be us.  That is why, first and foremost, we want to say “thank you” to our valued customers for being so loyal and and supportive.  We truly value your business and the relationships that you have allowed us to build with you.

So, from our houses to yours:  Happy Thanksgiving and our very best wishes for a happy, healthly, safe and joyous day.

The holiday season is officially in full-swing:  Christmas is less than a month away and the festivities and holiday cheer will continue unabated until after the first of January.  But the holidays tend not to be very green-friendly.  For example, did you know that according to RecycleWorks, from Thanksgiving to New Years Day, household waste increases by more than 25 percent? 

And, how much is 25%?  According to Robert Lilienfed co-author of the book Use Less Stuff: Environmental Solutions for Who We Really Are, Americans will throw away a million extra tons of garbage each week.

So, let’s not undo all the good we’ve done already this year to protect the planet, and start a new holiday tradition by making some eco-friendly changes.

This year, don’t just think about the “12 days of Christmas”;  Starting on December 2nd,  Limousine Livery is adding a new twist by giving you “12 ways to green your Christmas!”

Stay tuned!

Today is the start of the traditional holiday travel season.  It seems that – no matter how bad the economy – people make the effort to be with friends and family.  Take a  look at some holiday travel numbers.