Regardless of whether you celebrate Christmas, Chanukah, Kwanza, or Winter Solstice, this holiday season, stop for a moment and think about the impact you are about to have on the environment. There are ways that you can still have a wonderful and fun-filled holiday season, without further contributing to the harm of the planet.

Give a gift to the earth and future generations of life on this planet.

Here's a few suggestions:

1. Don't travel a great distance this season, especially not by plane.

"...one transatlantic round-trip flight contributes to global warming at twice the rate of driving a medium-sized car 12,000 kilometres (7,500 miles) a year. And the U.S. green group Natural Resources Defense Council notes carbon isn't even the whole problem -- nitrogen dioxide and water-vapour emissions from jetliners also worsen the greenhouse effect." - http://www.alternet.org/envirohealth/43095/?comments=view&cID=258334&pID...

2. Don't buy so much stuff!

Don't give in to the gift buying frenzy this year. We all have plenty of stuff. If you really want to give someone you love something meaningful this year, give a gift that will help spread your commitment to helping the planet and living in a more conscious manner.

• Make them a gift. - You know how much you love it when you receive something hand-made. It really stands out in your heart and your mind, and lets you know how much that person really cares about you. Well, why not do that for the people you love. Take the time, be creative, and make them each something nice for the holidays.
• Do something wonderful for them that you know will make them happy.
• Give green. - Help your loved ones and the world by giving them a gift that you know was created in an environmentally conscious manner.
• Give green empowerment. - Empower your loved ones by giving them a book or video that helps them to learn to live in a more green and conscious manner. I'm giving the DVD of An Inconvenient Truth to several people that I love.
• Purchase carbon offsets in their name.
• Donate to an environmental organization in their name.

3. If you order something that must be shipped, order early and choose ground shipping rather than overnight or 2 day.

While not a perfect solution, ground shipping emits less carbon and is less harmful to the environment than having your packages flown.

4. Don't kill a poor tree to hang decorations on!

There are approximately 30-35 million Christmas Trees killed and sold in the U.S. every year. (according to The National Christmas Tree Assoc. - http://www.christmastree.org) (I just love this quote from their FAQ - "you're not "killing" a tree by using a Real Christmas Tree. Unfortunately many people have the misconception that Christmas Trees are cut down from the forest. Real Christmas Trees are actually grown as crops, just like corn or wheat, and raised on a farm." As far as I'm concerned, whether from a forest or from a "crop", cutting down a tree, using it to decorate your home, and then disposing of it is "killing a tree.")

Plus, many tree farmers use pesticides and other toxic chemicals to create perfect trees, and all of that goes right into the environment.

If a tree is part of your holiday traditions, buy a live tree, and decorate it with cool and extremely energy efficient LED Christmas lights. When the holidays are over you can then plant it in your yard so it can produce oxygen, shade, and a place for many animals to live for generations to come.

If you don't have a yard:

• Plant it somewhere in your neighborhood where it will be safe to grow. (Go gorilla gardeners!)
• Or you might be able to donate it to your local city or town for planting.

5. Eat food grown locally and organically.

The further food is shipped, the greater the impact on the environment, and if it is not organic, then you know that it was drenched in pesticides created from petroleum. Do you want to be eating that?

Check out your local farmers' market (http://www.localharvest.org/farmers-markets/) or food co-operative (search on http://www.coopamerica.org/pubs/greenpages/) for the best in local grown, organic and pesticide free fruits and veggies. Local grown means less shipping. Organic and pesticide free means less use of petroleum based chemicals, and better health for you and your loved ones.

6. Think sustainable, not disposable this year.

• Wrap creatively. - Wrap your gifts in re-used wrapping paper, paper made from recycled sources, or be creative and use beautiful organic fabrics that can be re-used and become a part of the gift.
• Use organic linens. - Purchase organic linen napkins, placemats, and tablecloths.
• Use compostable dinnerware. - Unable to buy organic linens, and short on dishes and flatware for entertaining? Be sure and use napkins, plates, and flatware made from renewable resources such as sugar cane fiber and corn plastic.
• Send Holiday E-cards. - Save the paper and the wasted fuel to deliver conventional cards (which are not recycleable due to the colored dyes). Send your loved ones bright, colorful and fun animated e-cards to share the holiday spirit and show them that you care.

7. Scent your holiday home with natural organic essential oils and potpourris.

Sprinkle a few drops of a natural, essential oil like cedarwood, spruce, frankincense or sandlewood on a bowl of pine cones. Or make a simmering pot of cloves, cinnamon, and orange peel in water, and keep it on a low heat to fill your home with it's delicious aroma.

"95 percent of chemicals used in fragrances are synthetic compounds derived from petroleum. ...which are capable of causing cancer, birth defects, central nervous system disorders and allergic reactions." - http://www.naturalingredient.org/syntheticfragrances.htm

8. Illuminate your home with beautiful and naturally scented soy, vegetable, or beeswax candles.

"Paraffin is an inexpensive sludge waste product of the petroleum industry that has been bleached then texturised with acrolyn, a known carcinogenic product." - http://www.epicureantable.com/articles/acandles.htm

9. Use LED decorative lights with the environment in mind, and save money on your energy bills.

LEDs can be used to decorate your home and your tree. They are 90% more energy-efficient than traditional incandescent lights, emit way less heat, and have a longer lifespan. Many homes burn down each year due to regular holiday lights setting a tree or draperies on fire. With LEDs you are also free from that worry.