by Mona Rigdon

Created on: October 08, 2008   Last Updated: October 20, 2008

The holidays are the times you spend so much green your budget goes into the red! Make this season an earth (and budget) friendly time for your family. Show loved ones the joy living and giving green can bring.

Opt for a Rustic Christmas.

Natural centerpieces for tables and mantles can be made out of pine cones, evergreen sprigs, ribbons, and buttons. Other simple detailing, like strips of torn denim or calico fabric can add to the country, simplistic feel of the decoration.

Add pizazz to ornaments with glitter paint. Fancy borders or patterns. children's names and birth dates or other important dates memorialized on an ornament will allow your family to review all the blessings and memories it has shared over the years.

Recycle household items. Old blue jeans become patchwork stockings that match newly rustic Christmas decor. Tiny toys and stuffed animals tied with a Christmas ribbon become ornaments. Use a tablecloth or Great-Grandmother's hand-made quilt as a tree skirt.

Prepare and Dispose of Meals Responsibly.

When preparing meals, avoid as much waste as possible. Dsposable aluminum pans are handy, and paper plates mean less dishes to wash, but let's get green! Use real dishes, pots, and pans to the largest extent possible. The time family could spend together talking while cleaning up is priceless! Some of the best conversation has been had by two people washing and drying dishes together.

Don't forget to compost leftovers. This year's holiday feast can help your family enjoy next year's crop of vegetables fresh from the garden.

Give Green Gifts.

Many people associate "giving green" with a donation to an environmental cause.Though this is a nice idea, kids like to actually have something they can see, touch, and make use of in some way. Be creative.

Tree seedlings with a caring for and planting guide make great gifts. Guides can be hand written on recycled scrapbook paper, edged with fancy scissors, and tied to the pot with ribbon. These make nice decoration when awaiting distribution. Families have the opportunity to care for their plants, discuss the environment, and spend time together choosing a location and planting the seedling when it is time.

For more great "give green" gifts, check out treehugger.com's green gift guide. It includes ideas for green gifts of all types for all ages.

What about gift wrap? Use old posters, shopping bags, maps, comics, or used wrapping paper. Use the colorful side, or flip it over and make your own design by using paint pens or markers to create your own design. Potato stamping is a fun way to embellish plain paper. Save and reuse gift boxes, bags, ribbons and bows. If you see others throwing them out, collect theirs, too.

Give the world a gift it can use by decorating, dining, and gifting responsibly. Everyone can contribute without sacrificing more than a little elbow grease. Going green will not only help our planet, but can help our pocketbooks, as well. Happy Holidays!

Learn more about this author, Mona Rigdon.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.