GOSHEN, Ind. - The City of Goshen's Department of Environment Resilience is encouraging residents to go green this holiday season and help the city decorate the 2022 Mirth Tree.

The challenge, however, is to make an ornament out of only things residents can find or recycle!

Here's how it works:

From now until December 23, community members can make an ornament out of natural or recycled materials. City leaders are asking participants to avoid the following materials:

• Glass (which can be broken easily)
• Paper and cardboard (the tree is outdoors in the elements)
• Glitter (which has a negative impact on the environment)

Ornaments can also be made at City Hall on December 16 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

After the ornaments are finished, residents can stop by the Mirth Tree, in front of the Goshen Utilities Business Office at 203 S. Fifth St., and hang it on the branches.

Starting December 24, residents can return to the Mirth Tree and take home an ornament they like, whether they made it or not.

Even those who didn't make an ornament can stop by and take one home.

City leaders want to encourage the act of giving without expectation.

Though it's not a contest, residents are encouraged to take a photo of their ornament and submit it to the city for social media. Photos can be submitted to the City of Goshen via Facebook Messenger or through email to [email protected].

Participants can also tag the city on Facebook.

Click here to learn about how the City of Goshen is working to reduce waste all year round.