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How to Have an Eco-Friendly Christmas. This year, give a gift to the planet and have a
Christmas that’s more about friendship and appreciation, less about stuff. Make the holidays
bright -- without burning any fossil fuels. You will need Pinecones Evergreen boughs Popcorn
Cranberries Needle and thread Cloth bag Antique or vintage gifts Local food Cloth or used
wrapping paper Reusable holiday cards Local charity and time. Step 1. Use natural materials
such as pinecones, evergreen boughs, and homemade popcorn and cranberry strings for your holiday
decor. Step 2. Bring a cloth bag when you go shopping, and decline plastic or fancy
shopping bags. Step 3. Gifts of experience -- such as theater tickets, a special meal,
or a visit to a day spa -- also contribute to a greener, low-waste holiday. Step 4. For
the person who has everything, consider donating to a charity in their name. Choose a cause
that will be meaningful to them. Step 5. Use and reuse cloth to wrap gifts, as traditionally
done in Japan. If you use paper and ribbon, unwrap packages carefully so you can reuse
the wrapping another time. Step 6. Save the fronts of Christmas cards you receive. Cut
them into squares, punch a hole in the corner, and reuse them as gift tags. Shop for antique
or vintage gifts, which don't require the manufacturing of new stuff. Step 7. For holiday
celebrations, think of serving local food and wine, to reduce your carbon footprint,
or products such as organic coffee and rainforest nuts that help protect distant environments.
Step 8. Instead of throwing away old toys, take the time to donate them to a local charity
that can use them. Step 9. Think of something you love to do -- whether it's baking, singing
carols, drinking mulled cider, or walking at night in the wintry air -- and make time
to do it. Step 10. Finally, when the holidays are over, look into tree-shredding programs
in your town that can turn your holiday decorations into valuable mulch. Did you know Americans
generate about 25 million extra tons of garbage during the holiday season, a figure that could
be reduced if everyone caught the spirit of a green Christmas.