5 Simple Ways to Live Green This Holiday Season

With all the waste that goes on during the holiday season, being a bit greener could help. With millions of extra cars on the roads, billions of electricity-draining Christmas lights, more mailing, shipping, spending, and buying—the strain on the environment at Christmastime is unbelievable. Trying a bit of eco-stewardship is a great idea to make Christmas more enjoyable. Here are five suggestions for making your Christmas greener.

Green Wrapping
Rather than snatching the nearest roll of wrapping paper and wrapping away, try a greener method of gift-wrapping. Reusable bags or gift items such as a box, basket, or vase, function just as well and are more creative than traditional wrapping paper. At the very least, purchase recycled wrapping paper. Using less wrapping means greater preservation of valuable forests, and a reduction in overall waste—both of which are excellent ways to help the environment.

Green Cards
Few people go through a Christmas without sending or receiving Christmas cards. It's all part of the holiday season. Obviously, you wouldn't think of going without this integral part of your Christmas tradition, but would you consider trying something a bit more exciting, creative, interesting, and green? E-cards are an excellent way to do that. Rather than sending a paper card, send your family members an online greeting. Instead of mailing your annual family update, make a colorful PDF and send it as an e-mail attachment. You can even create online slide shows, complete with music and Christmas themes, and send this in lieu of cards. It is an option that is way more personal, far more interesting, much less wasteful, and definitely more green.

Green Gifts
Green gifts are coming into vogue. Environmental organizations are full of ideas for helping the environment, many of which can be given as gifts. Here are some options. You can adopt a dolphin, wolf, whale, or other endangered animal. Forestation and rainforest protection agencies allow people to adopt an acre of rainforest, a redwood tree, or a portion of another ancient forest. The gift comes in the form of official documentation, certificate, and sometimes a book, card, or picture with additional information.

Really Green Gifts
How about an even greener gift? Try a plant, a tree, or a flower. These ideal gifts can be enjoyed for years. There is a renaissance of interest in planting gardens from heirloom seeds or organic seeds. You can give the gift of a garden package, complete with seeds, gardening tools and a green gardening book.

Green Gift Cards
Here's a final green gift idea that will appeal to just about anyone. It's easy to send, requires virtually nothing to wrap, creates no waste, and has a carbon footprint of zero: gift cards. Anyone enjoys receiving a gift card to their favorite clothing outlet, restaurant, online music site, or bookstore. Gift cards are the quintessential present for the last-minute purchase, the person who is impossible to shop for, and for you…making a greener choice for Christmas.

Vickie Lexom, creative connoisseur, can usually find the perfect gift for anyone. However, she often finds herself resorting to the one of the greatest and greenest gifts of all, Visa gift cards. With Current Gift Cards you can wrap up an entire gift in minutes. Don't forget to choose add the free customizable greeting card free with the purchase of any gift card!