I'm Dreaming of a Green Christmas

Eco-friendly trends are everywhere these days, from hybrid cars to organic clothing and considering the sad state of the environment, this is definitely a good thing! As we begin to pay more attention to environmental issues plaguing our planet, a question comes to mind - what can we do to help? Well, in the traditional Christmas spirit of giving back, why not give back to the earth? After all, this is the time of year to give back to your community. Take it a step further and have a green Christmas! Here are some great ways in which you can spread some green holiday cheer this season.

1.) Recycle your Holiday Gift Wrap: Every year you buy way more gift wrap then you'd ever actually need, and what's more - when stores put their entire stock of wrapping paper on sale, you buy even more! Why not re-use your gift wrap this season? According to an article on National Geographic News, if every family reused just 2 feet of holiday ribbon, you would have 38,000 miles of ribbon circling the planet! This holiday season; make sure that you open all of your gifts carefully so that you could reuse the wrapping paper, ribbons and bows. When giving gifts try and buy gift wrap made from recycled paper or better yet - don't wrap your gifts! Give gift cards and certificates, concert tickets that just require a small envelope.

2.) Faux Fir and Recycled Christmas Trees: If you want a Christmas tree this season, it's recommended that you purchase one at a seasonal Christmas tree lot. The majority of all trees sold from these lots are grown on tree farms, so our forests aren't suffering unnecessarily. Artificial trees on the other hand are not the best idea if you are trying to go green, as they consume significant energy and are made with petroleum-based materials during manufacturing. When the holidays are over, recycle your trees! Don't let them go to the landfill - instead have them ground up into wood chips. Contact your local city hall to find out about tree recycling programs in your area.

3.) Eco-friendly LED Christmas Lights Light up your home, both inside and outside with some cooler-burning light-emitting diodes (LEDs). 90 percent more efficient than standard incandescent bulbs, LEDs are heat, cold and shock resistant (perfect for outdoor use) and they are cool to the touch. Additionally, LEDs can last from 50,000 to 200,000 hours. Incandescent bulbs, on the other hand last for around 1,000 hours. Available in just as many colors and styles as traditional lights, LED Christmas lights * are a great alternative for you to consider when decorating your home for the holidays.

4.) Deck The Halls Green: As November flies by, it's probably time for you to drag out that old box of Christmas decorations * from your basement or attic. If you have been using the same decorations for the past 10 years and want a little update, try making your own decorations! Gather up some pine cones from outside and dip half of the pine cone in some eco-friendly white paint. Tie on a left over ribbon and bingo! Brand new ornament! You could also peruse your local Salvation Army or Goodwill store and see if there are any old ornaments for sale. Best get there early though, because these tend to go quickly, come holiday season. You could also purchase some Fair trade holiday decorations for a beautiful addition to your holiday decorations collection. Fair trade programs ensure that artisans from all over the world receive a fair wage and help to create more sustainable livelihoods.