Simple Steps

Send Electronic Holiday Cards

This year, skip the boxes of paper cards, the hours of writing and the lines at the post office. Instead, send your wishes electronically. E-cards come in every shape and color, with designs for every holiday and individual. They can even be customized with photos. Check out Pingg.com, HipsterCards.com and Smilebox.com for creative e-card options.

Get Real About Recycling

Recycling is a key part of living a green life, but during the party-heavy weeks at the end of the year, it can be hard to stick to your recycling efforts. Before the festivities begin, create clearly labeled bins for everything that your town recycles: glass, plastic, paper and so on. That way, you won’t have to sort it all later.

Photo Credit: @iStockphoto.com/minimil

Give Greener Gifts

When purchasing presents this year, consider whether that gift will end up in a landfill at the end of its useful life. If the answer is yes, there may be a more eco alternative. Book lovers who have yet to make the electronic leap will love an e-reader, which is the ultimate in eco-friendly entertainment; books, magazines and newspapers can be uploaded without harming any trees. Experiential presents, such as tickets to the theater or gift certificates for spa services, are also good green choices.

Serve Eco-friendly Food

Eating is a key part of holiday celebrations. This year, make a commitment to serve local or organic foods. Purchasing locally grown meat and produce decreases the use of fossil fuels for shipping -- a great green step -- and also keeps the local economy humming. Choosing organic means selecting food that was grown without the use of harmful pesticides, herbicides or hormones.

Decorate Naturally and Wrap Wisely

Source holiday decorations from nature -- think pine tree branches, sticks and pinecones. Kids can help by gathering materials from the backyard or a local park. As for wrapping gifts, get creative. Use pages from old magazines or decorate reused brown paper bags. Add a sprig of pine as a decorative finish. Another eco wrapping option is to make the wrapper part of the gift: Tuck the present inside a colorful scarf or pretty piece of silk.

Go the Extra Mile

Looking for more ways to green your holidays? Get some extra eco points with these super simple ideas:

• Put your holiday lights on a timer.
• If you buy battery-powered gifts, give rechargeable batteries with the present.
• Carpool to holiday parties.