How to Celebrate the Holiday Without Hurting the Planet

By now everyone understands the value and importance of being "green." Yet Christmas, as one of the biggest retail holidays, still generates tons of unnecessary trash, uses precious resources, and leaves quite a large carbon footprint. It is not difficult to find ways to celebrate a Green Christmas, but it just requires a bit of creativity.

The most important thing to consider when planning an environmentally friendly Christmas is your priorities. Visiting out-of-town friends and family is important, and already creates a large carbon footprint due to long distance travel. Find other ways to cut back on your impact by exchanging eco-friendly Christmas gifts or using Green Christmas trees. Consider renting a living Christmas tree, which is delivered in a pot, remains alive through the season (don't forget to water it!), and is picked up after New Year's Day.

Green Christmas cards and recycled wrapping paper are both great options for a Green Christmas. Consider re-using paper already in your house rather than buying new wrapping paper, which is a waste of both the paper and the plastic packaging. Make your own cards with supplies at home, or buy cards made of recycled paper. Green Santa has plenty of Green Christmas gift ideas, but you can also use your imagination to make presents for loved ones, rather than buying more products packaged in plastic. DIY ideas are everywhere; try searching the Internet for simple crafts, bake a batch of homemade cookies or bread, or plant seedlings for an indoor house plant. Browse thrift stores, used book shops, or consignment stores for treasures. People usually appreciate homemade Christmas gifts much more than mass produced ones, and the planet will appreciate your thoughtful effort as well.

Green Christmas decorations can be homemade or reused. LED lights can brighten the holidays using far less energy, saving you money on your energy bill! Celebrating a Green Christmas is well worth the extra effort and thought, and will save you some green cash as well.