Give Something Back to Your Planet this Christmas Holiday Season!

The holiday season does not need to be a time of overindulgence. With growing concerns about global warming and degradation to our environment, more and more people have been asking how to green their lifestyles.

Here are a few ideas shared by our subscribers to help make your holidays festive and environmentally friendly!

• Have a gift exchange instead of buying everyone a gift.
• Bring reusable bags or bins to the store for shopping.
• Wrap you gifts in recycled paper, newsprint or a box you already have.
• Buy rechargeable batteries for you gifts.
• Minimize Christmas lighting or at least by LED lights and turn them off when you aren't home.
• Use garland instead of lighting.
• Use decorations that are compostable such as popcorn strings, berries and holly.
• Use last year's Christmas cards to make new cards or decorations.
• Send your Christmas cards by email or phone instead.
• Have a no gift policy or do a single gift exchange.
• Re-use your gift wrap for next year.
• Instead of buying a Christmas tree, plan a rooted tree in your yard to decorate.
• Decorate you indoor plants instead of buying a tree.
• Give low impact Eco Gifts (such as gift certificates, memberships or digital products).
• Recycle or give handmade gifts.
• Donate to an environmental charity.
• Make a donation on behalf of a friend.

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