- Decorate with LED lights, which look the same as conventional incandescent bulbs, but last longer and use 80 to 90 percent less energy.
- Set a timer on your holiday lights so they’ll automatically shut off, using less energy.
- If you celebrate Christmas, use a real tree, whether it’s “live” (potted with roots still attached, which you can plant later) or traditionally cut. Fake trees aren’t biodegradable.
- Get creative with gift wrapping. Instead of traditional paper, look around your house and use old magazine paper, posters, grocery bags, newspaper or even wrap in a scarf for a gift within a gift! VHS tape, tape measures and shoestrings also work well as ribbon. A gift bag is another great choice for gift giving – they can be reused many times over.
- Give gifts that can be experienced, like tickets to a concert or sporting event, or offer to make a gourmet holiday meal or volunteer for a free night of babysitting.
- If you do gift, gift green by shopping for recycled or organically-made clothing, toys or even jewelry and electronics! Check out Treehugger.com for more green gift inspirations.
- Burn candles for a cozy glow around your home while you save energy. Just remember to stay away from paraffin-based wax. Opt for soy, vegetable wax or beeswax, which are all biodegradable.
- Use real dishes and flatware, instead of serving food on paper or Styrofoam at holiday parties. If there aren’t enough to go around, use recycled paper products, or use plastic plates and cups, which can be washed and used over and over again.
- Send an e-card with a picture of your family and a holiday wish, instead of wasting paper (and stamps!) by sending traditional greeting cards.
- Traveling for the holidays? Consider taking a train. It’s a greener, safer way to travel, compared to flying. It’s also a new and exciting way to see the country!
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