The holiday season is upon us and that means it's time to start thinking about Christmas gifts! But this year, let's try to be a little more eco-friendly. Here are some tips on how to have an eco-friendly Christmas.

Eco-Friendly Gift Giving Tips Try to avoid buying excessive amounts of gifts. One or two thoughtful gifts will mean more than a bunch of cheap, mass-produced items. And speaking of mass-produced items, try to buy products that are made from recycled materials whenever possible. Look for eco-friendly wrapping paper options or forego wrapping altogether. You can use a pretty scarf or piece of fabric as wrapping, or get creative and use brown craft paper. And if you must use store-bought wrapping paper, make sure to recycle it afterwards. 

Be mindful of your holiday decorating. Choose LED lights instead of traditional incandescent bulbs. Not only will they save you money in the long run, but they'll also help reduce your carbon footprint. And if you have a real Christmas tree, make sure to recycle it afterwards. Many cities offer tree recycling programs. Or, better yet, buy a potted tree that you can plant in your yard after the holidays are over. 

Second-hand books make great gifts, and you can often find some real bargains at second-hand stores or online. If you're giving a book to someone who loves to read, they'll be sure to appreciate it regardless of where it came from. Another option is to look for books that have been published by small presses or independent authors - these make great gifts and you'll be supporting smaller businesses at the same time.

If you're crafty, why not make your own presents? Something homemade always has that extra special touch, plus you'll know that no one else will have something similar. If you're not sure what to make, consider creating something reuseable such as beeswax wraps or a reusable coffee cup sleeve. These make great stocking fillers or Secret Santa gifts

There are lots of small ways we can all be more eco-friendly this holiday season. By following some of these tips, we can help make a difference for our planet. So let's all do our part to have a green Christmas!