The holidays are all about red and green, but sometimes it seems like it’s about the red taking over the green, beating it up, and throwing it in a non-recyclable bin.  (In other words, we mass-consume too much during the holidays.  Still following me?  Good!)  Well, it’s all about spreading joy, right?  No one wants to play the green Grinch.  But there are ways to get joyous in your house or office and still keep it eco-friendly.  And we’ve got you covered.

First, there’s the tree. 

-Eco-experts encourage people to buy real trees.  More often than not, a fake tree is made from petroleum-based ingredients and will still be hanging around in a landfill for the next 50,000 Christmases to come. Not to mention all the other reasons plastic trees aren't so great, like the fact they're usually made in China, can contain lead, etc.

-When you do buy your Xmas tree, go to a Christmas tree farm.  Most of these are family-owned and are great local businesses to support. These have been grown especially for the holidays and you’re less likely to be striking down some friendly animal’s habitat.

-When the holiday is over, be sure to take them to your city or county tree recycling facility, where they will mulch your tree.

-Looking for more Christmas tree alternatives? There are grow-your-own, grass trees, and mod cardboard ones too.

But here’s the thing.  Some of us are allergic to Christmas trees.  Some of us were once a Small Child who had her last real Christmas tree when she was five years old.  Because apparently Small Child suffered an allergy attack she doesn’t remember that resulted in her parents banishing real trees from the house to this day.  (Say it with me:  awwww!)  I discovered web rumors that the Leyland Cypress as being possibly hypo-allergenic.  But this isn’t backed up by any real source.  So it seems that, yes Virginia, there are no real hypo-allergenic Christmas trees. 

So now you have the tree – what about lights? 

-Strings of LED lights are the way to go, as they use 80 to 90 percent less energy.  Also, they don’t heat up as much as traditional lights and reduce the threat of fire.  You can find Energy Star-approved lights that will last longer than your fake Christmas tree these days!

Then there are the decorations.  Think about making them. 

-Need Christmas stockings?  Try a real sock and sew red and green buttons on it. 

-Think about stringing together popcorn or cranberries instead of using garland (and then compost or leave it outside for the birds to eat after the holidays). 

-Pine cones can be glued together for wreaths. 

-Gingerbread Houses are fun and make an excellent family activity (use as many organic ingredients as you can!).

-And don’t forget that poinsettia plants are very festive and easily transported into the office.  They also make great holiday gifts for your friends or office mates.  Unless you are allergic to them.  Like some people might be.  Just saying.

If you celebrate Hanukkah, think about an eco-friendly menorah. 

-Vertige offers a menorah made entirely of recycled glass.

-Try these Fair Trade Beeswax candles that are slow-burning, virtually drip-free, and toxin-free. 

So you can keep it eco-friendly with the holidays.  After all, nobody likes a Scrooge – especially a green one!