Make New Traditions- While some national and family traditions should stand the test of time, others need to be reevaluated. Sometimes we follow tradition without thinking about it, even when it’s causes stress to us and the planet. Decide who really benefits, then change those outdated rules! Have fun creating new traditions that truly bring you joy.

Buy Local- This action brings about so much positive change and is especially convenient for city dwellers. Buying from local businesses and artisans rather than big box retailers keeps your local economy strong, helping downtown areas to thrive, and even reducing suburban sprawl. It keeps money in the pockets of local individuals and businesses, and the taxes you pay fund your city. You will also reduce pollution since your local purchases require much less transportation than items bought from out-of-town or corporate businesses.

Holiday Lights- Switching from standard (incandescent) Christmas lights to LED strands will cut your electricity bill by drastically reducing the power used. LED light strings initially cost a little more than conventional lights but easily pay for themselves within one or two seasons. For a larger initial investment, solar lights glow without using any electricity at all. Also, use a timer on your house and tree lights to avoid burning energy all night long.

Christmas Tree- Buy a live tree with the roots still in tact and replant when the season is over. Find a local tree recycling location if you purchase a tree without roots. Don’t use tinsel or spray your tree with fake snow, as tinsel and white trees cannot be recycled. Pets also frequently eat tinsel, leaving you with messy holiday surprises.

Shopping Bags- This is the nation’s busiest shopping season, so bring your own shopping bags to reduce waste. You can reuse paper and plastic sacks from the grocery store or invest in cloth bags which can be washed and reused for years. Getting into the habit can be difficult at first, but bags compact easily and fit into purses and pockets until needed. Consolidate your purchases into one bag rather than getting a new bag at each store.

Gift Wrap- If you’re artistically inclined, there is no end to the ways you can salvage scraps of wrapping paper or combine other reclaimed materials to reduce waste. Whether you’re artsy or just pressed for time, bags, fabric, newspaper funnies, magazines and decorative boxes can quickly and easily wrap a gift. Thin, semi-sturdy cereal boxes are perfect for transforming into gift boxes. Instead of wrapping gifts for the kids, hide them and make the search into a treasure hunt. Give gifts that don’t have to be wrapped at all (tickets, membership to an organization, e-gifts), or make the wrapping a part of the gift (food in a reusable dish, clothing wrapped in a scarf, or anything inside a stocking). If every American family wrapped just 3 presents in re-used materials, it would save enough paper to cover 45,000 football fields!

Packaging- When mailing packages you can reuse boxes and shipping materials such as peanuts, shredded newspaper and bubble wrap.

Gift Giving- If you buy presents, look for durable and re-usable items and resist the latest “hot gift”, which can quickly end up in a landfill or thrift store. Homemade gifts are also an eco-friendly choice. Utilize your hobbies and skills to bake cookies or breads, handcraft items in your workshop, or sew/reconstruct clothing or accessories. Some gifts don’t create any waste at all such as concert or movie tickets, or an IOU redeemable for skilled labor (like babysitting or engine repair). Avoid goods which involve unnecessary packaging, like a huge plastic clamshell on a tiny item. Spend less! It takes an average of 6 months for a credit card user to pay off their holiday debt. When buying new gifts, opt for environmentally friendly, sustainably produced, Fair Trade options (see our Green Gift Guide for ideas). Or support your local thrift store and purchase a pre-loved gift. In your family or group you can even agree to stop giving gifts altogether, or agree to only exchange meaningful presents. Or give a gift to others by donating to an environmental, animal rights, social justice or peace organization.

Bad Gifts- It’s inevitable: with the time-crunch and feelings of obligation that the holidays bring, everyone is bound to receive a gift they don’t want. Pass any unwanted presents on to your local thrift stores rather than throwing them away. If the idea doesn’t rub you the wrong way, why not regift?

Ornaments & Decor- Make homemade ornaments with items you would normally recycle: last year’s holiday cards, paper towel or TP rolls, bits from broken toys or games, toothpicks or popsicle sticks, old calendar pictures, soda cans or food tins, old Christmas wrap, etc. Look for materials outdoors such as twigs, bark, flowers and herbs, pine cones, etc. Edible or compostable items like popcorn or cranberries on a string, gingerbread cookies, salt-dough ornaments, or recycled paper garlands make very eco-friendly choices. Thrift stores are also usually brimming with Christmas decorations and ornaments that are often still in their original packaging, but sold at much lower prices.

Food- In this season of excess, many people find themselves eating far more food than they normally do, and making poor food selections as well. Plan smaller meals and snacks to reduce waste and stay in shape during the holidays. Locally grown, organic, plant-based food is best for the environment, our health, and animals.

Holiday Cards- Save old cards and create new ones with some crafty creativity. Sign the back of each card with a note about it’s 100% post-consumer content to spread the word. Old Christmas cards also make great ornaments and holiday decor. Begin a new tradition of sending E-cards and to save natural resources.

Advent Calendars- Homemade advent calendars containing reclaimed items not only save natural resources, but can help get you into the true holiday spirit. See these tutorials for an advent calendar made from a cookie sheet, an earth-themed Advent Stick, and Advent Stockings for brilliant, feel-good ideas.

For more ways to stay “green” this holiday season, see 42 Ways to Trim Your Holiday Wasteline. What are your best eco-friendly holiday tips? Please share your favorite green ideas in the comments below! Happy Holidays everyone!

While thousands of newspapers in the US are printed with non-toxic soy-based inks, it’s still not the industry standard. Many newspapers, as well as other printed materials like magazines and junk mail, are printed using petroleum-based inks which are toxic. If you use these items as kindling, you’re filling the air with toxic smoke that can irritate your eyes and lungs. Instead you can use just 1/4 stick of Holy Smokes to get logs going without all the toxic cooties. One package starts more than 30 fires, and you get a set of 2. Makes an excellent stocking stuffer.

$16

COUPON: Use coupon code AFD7 from now until December 31st, and get 12% off your order total. $4.95 flat rate shipping is also available all month long at Gaiam!

$150

Similar gift ideas: Watermobile: Fuel cell car and experiment kit, and Solaro: has everything needed to build seven models, all powered by the sun.

Of all the gifts on our Green Gift Guide this year, CIVIO is perhaps my favorite. It ties the important topics of civil liberties and social justice with the fun of a card game, allowing the players to enjoy themselves while using their minds. At $14.95 it’s also a very affordable gift idea or stocking stuffer.

$14.95

Mable’s hand picked favorites are;
- Organic Fruit Banquet – 4 apples, 4 pears, 3 oranges, 2 grapefruit, and 1 Best-of-Season fruit @ $59.95.
- Triple Crown – Organic! – 4 each of organic apples, oranges, and pears @ $36.95.
- Organic Nut Sampler – 1/4 pound each of organic giant almonds, pistachios, extra-size cashews, and a nutty trailmix @ $34.95.
- Organic Fruit Sampler – kiwis, bananas, apples, pears, oranges, tangerines, satsuma mandarins and persimmons @ $69.00.
- Organic Family Pack – This sampler contains a selection of the most popular vegetables, fruit, greens, and herbs for a family of four @ $110.00. Actual fruits and veggies vary depending on seasonal availability.

$36.95 to $110.00

Related Green Gifts: Organic Fruit and Nut Club, Organic and Fair Trade Chocolate, Fair Trade Sampler Gift Basket

$25

COUPON: Use Littlearth coupon code CCAT2006 for 20% off anything you purchase. Expires 12/10/06.

• one young tree planted where you choose

• framed certificate of planting
• gift card with your special message
• free handmade tree ornament
• and comes gift boxed and wrapped

The young tree is planted in any state, province or international country of your choice; perfect to commemorate a person (or place) that you want to recognize or appreciate. Everything is shipped and delivered in a couple days, which is why this also makes an excellent last minute gift idea. TreeGivers will accept orders through December 21st for Christmas Tree Plantings.

$55.95

Another gift choice helps those in need in a more direct and eco-friendly way. Trees for Life offers a gift idea that will go on giving; help plant fruit trees that provide a self-renewing source of food in a developing country. At only a $1 per fruit tree planting this can be a very inexpensive gift that makes a big difference. Also more sustainable and efficient than the animal-based gifts available through groups like Heifer Intl.

$29.95

COUPON: Use coupon code MCA96 from now until December 18th, and get $4.95 flat rate shipping on all your orders at Magic Cabin. The bigger your order the more you save, but on the Organic Veggin’ Out Plushies you will save $4 in shipping costs.

A free stocking stuffer is also included with these gorgeous eco-friendly sheets: bonus audio CD with a unique collection of music to help you drift off to sleep.

$169+

$169

Gaiam also offers gift certificates so recipients can find their own perfect present.