I'm Dreaming of a "Green" Christmas....

With the Christmas season now in full swing, there are a few things that we can all do to be more environmentally friendly!  Here are just a few green tips that you can use:

• Use things other than wrapping paper to wrap your gifts.  There are plenty of things around everyone's home that can be re-used to wrap a gift...old maps, newspaper, brown paper grocery bags and even your children's finger painting or drawings to add an extra special touch to a gift. And while I'm on the subject of wrapping papers...if you receive gifts with wrapping paper on them, do your best to recycle it and use it for your next year's gifts!!
• Use alternatives to gift boxes.  While most gift boxes can be recycled or used for gifts the next year, you can also use things other than boxes to put gifts in that can be used by the receiver for other various things.  For example, use a basket...which can be used for many other purposes, or buy a reuseable grocery bag and put your gift in that (I'm sure the receiver of your gift would be happy to have a handy reuseable bag!). 
• Use alternatives to bows and ribbons.  While we all want our gifts to look special, there are other ways to give the gift a special look without using wasteful bows and ribbons.  I like to use natural things of the season, like sprigs of holly or pine...they give a gift a festive look and are very eco-friendly!
• Make gifts for your friends and family instead of buying them.  While it is much easier to just go to the store and pick up a gift, homemade gifts are often more thoughtful and definitely more eco-friendly!  Some things I suggest are homemade cookies or other baked goods (who doesn't love a good dessert...am I right??!!), or homemade soaps or candles (I've decided to make my homemade laundry soap and dish soap for my girlfriends this year!) or if you're experienced in knitting or crocheting, make a scarf/mittens/hat or even a sweater for the special people in your life.  Another great homemade gift idea that I've done in the past is to make up the dry ingredients to different things like cookies, breads, hot chocolate and even soups...it's a good way to give people a head start on making these things themselves using the stuff you've given them! Also, something that is always a great gift for family is pictures!  Pictures of your children, a family picture or a collage of memorable pictures are just a few ideas.
• Be smart about your Christmas tree!!  When getting a Christmas tree, try to be as eco-friendly as possible.  While re-plantable trees are the best bet for being green, they are not often allowed in housing facilities and are often too big and bulky for a lot of small houses...or if you don't have a yard to plant them in, it doesn't do much good either!  If you like cut trees, then find a place willing to give vouchers for re-plantable trees in the spring.  And artificial trees are another eco-friendly way to have a tree.  You can reuse the same tree year after year! 
• Use energy-efficient lights!  While they may be more costly, they are a great way of cutting down the electric bill and using less energy during a time when we keep them lit day and night....especially if you are a very festive person who loves to light your house on the inside and outside! 
• Give to the less fortunate.  During a season of giving, it's important to remember those who do not have the means to buy things for their families or themselves.  A great way to give to the less fortunate and be "green" while doing it is to give your gently used items to clothing and toy drives. These places provide for families and individuals in great need.  There are many retailers and non-profit organizations collecting all kinds of gently used items this time of year.  So go through your stuff, your kids' stuff and provide the less fortunate people with things like clothing, coats, hats, gloves, scarves, and toys....not only will you be doing a good deed, but you will also be doing something environmentally friendly by putting your old items to good use!

These are just a few tips that I thought I would share with those of you looking for a way to have a greener Christmas this year!  Merry Christmas to you all and God Bless you and your families!