10 Ways to Green Your Holiday

Green and Festive: Were Not Talking Holly

You used to: Stock up on 3-for-1 wrapping paper deals and wind up with garbage bags full of paper when all is said and done.
Green it: Wrapping presents and seeing pretty packages under the tree is far too lovely of a tradition to ditch altogether. Instead just make a few little changes. A few of Getty's favorites: use recycled paper or brown paper bags; enlist vintage scarves, handkerchiefs or linens as your wrapping medium; pack gifts in antique tins you find at garage sales or salvage shops; or use colorful pages from your favorite magazines. "If you get Sierra magazine, use my column for your wrapping!" offers Sierra's advice columnist Bob Schildgen, a.k.a. "Mr. Green".

Green and Festive: Were Not Talking Holly

You used to: Head to the craft store and load up your cart with lots of plastic pretties to make holiday decorations.
Green it: Approach your holiday crafting in a MacGyver-esque manner, almost like a scavenger hunt. What can you use from both inside your home and the surrounding nature to create festive displays? Since Getty made the conscious effort to live a green lifestyle a few years ago, collecting "craft" items from nature (such as pinecones, twigs, shells, beach glass, dried flowers and berries) and making them into something fun with her 5-year-old daughter, India, has become her favorite new holiday tradition. They're currently working on creating a pretty shoebox display. "The act of just doing it is the really special part," Getty says.

Green and Festive: Were Not Talking Holly

You used to: Leave your holidays lights on 24/7.
Green it: First, make the switch to LED lights. According to the Sierra Club, LED lights use 90 percent less energy than conventional holiday lights. LED lights are widely available at major retailers; some cities even offer drop off spots for recycling your old holiday lights. Sites like HolidayLEDs.com also offer mail-in recycling. "Even if you use LEDs, ask yourself if you really need an extravagant display," Mr. Green says. Instead of fighting with extension cords and thorny rosebushes, spend that afternoon going through your clothing and your kids' clothing and toys and fill up boxes to donate to charities that serve needy people in your community.

Green and Festive: Were Not Talking Holly

You used to: Hit the mall in search of a gifts for everyone you know, most of whom don't truly need or want anything.
Green it: Perhaps it's time for some alternate gift giving ideas. Donations to charities in someone's name never get old. The Sierra Club is offering
Sponsor a Wild Place this holiday season. For $20 (and up) you can sponsor a national park in someone's name (kids will appreciate the accompanying stuffed animal!). Of course, it's unrealistic for many of us to do away with all traditional gift giving. In that case, be smarter about how you shop. "The biggest single environmental impact of holiday presents might well be the energy wasted in obtaining them," Mr. Green says. Avoid things like overnight shipping, driving way out of your way just to buy one thing or single-trips. Carpool to the mall, or shop local so you can walk.

Green and Festive: Were Not Talking Holly

You used to: Pick the biggest, best, prettiest tree-no questions asked.
Green it: Pesticides used on trees are a major problem. But it's getting easier to find organically-grown trees. Green Promise currently offers a list (by state) of Christmas tree farms that don't use pesticides. And when you're finished with your tree, make sure you recycle it (compost it yourself if you have the means or check with your city to see if they have a recycling program).

Green and Festive: Were Not Talking Holly

You used to: Cook and bake your favorite holidays dishes.
Green it: You can still make all your favorite holiday yummies! However, try substituting some organic ingredients wherever possible (milk, eggs, flour, fruits and vegetables are easy to find) and using the "real" food, versus the processed version (a real pumpkin versus canned pumpkin, for example). If it's too overwhelming, start small: aim to just swap out just one ingredient for its organic counterpart per recipe.

Green and Festive: Were Not Talking Holly

You used to: Do most of your shopping at big box retailers.
Green it: Big box retailers aren't necessarily the enemy: each year, they increase their green efforts. However, try to mix it up by heading to vintage shops, antique malls or flea markets for holiday gifts, decorations and even serving pieces. Why not give an old item a new life? Plus, it's one of a kind, versus that $19.99 cake plate you're going to see everywhere.

Green and Festive: Were Not Talking Holly

You used to: Wait until the last minute to stock up for your holiday party.
Green it: Shop smarter and more local, when you're hosting a holiday gathering, Mr. Green says. Cut down on plastic as much as possible. And instead of using mostly paper goods, opt for cloth napkins and real plates, cups and utensils. Don't want to do all those dishes? Pay your kids (or your neighbor's kids) to do the cleanup! Can you serve beer from a local brewery? Wine from the local winery? If so, do it!

Green and Festive: Were Not Talking Holly

You used to: Have a holiday movie marathon.
Green it: You don't have to say goodbye to Rudolph and the Heat Miser! But in the weeks leading up to the holidays, make a conscious effort to have evenings where you turn off the TV and spend time together as a family, Getty says. Play board games, read together, write your own holidays stories as a family or do craft projects with your kids (her book is full of fun ideas).

Green and Festive: Were Not Talking Holly

You used to: Pack up decorations and fill several garbage bags with waste when the holiday was over.
Green it: There are so many things that can be recycled, Getty says. For example, St. Jude's Ranch for Children takes old holiday cards (kids create new cards out of them). Some packaging stores will take packing peanuts, Getty says. She advises calling the Plastic Council's Peanut Hotline: 800.828.2214. Never throw away old cell phones or computers; donate them or check out www.earth911.com or www.eiae.org to find recycling centers near you. Now is also the time to save old wrapping paper to reuse next year!

Green and Festive: Were Not Talking Holly