by Karen Bailey

Created on: October 12, 2008   Last Updated: October 20, 2008

Be a Green Hero This Holiday Season

You don't have to turn into "The Incredible Hulk" to be a green hero. Going green for the holidays is an easy way to save the earth and your hard earned cash, too.

Have you ever thought about the number of gifts purchased every year for the grand event? All those items are produced in factories that put tremendous amounts of pollutants in the air. The less you buy, the less needs to be made, thus reducing pollution. Here are some ideas to help you.

Make and Bake

Home baked goods are a delicious gift idea. It doesn't take a lot of time and you know they'll use it. If you're creative or good with your hands, you can make a variety of gifts for your loved ones. Anyone can purchase a present, but I'm really touched when someone creates something especially for me.

Give Plastic

Those are good ideas for the kitchen savvy or the crafty. If that's not you, there are other things you can do. Reload-able gift cards are an excellent choice, especially for that person on your list that's incredibly difficult to buy for. If gift cards don't sound exciting enough to you, spice them up by putting them in baskets with homemade cookies, or store bought, if you must. Still not exciting enough? Give them with gag gifts, but instead of a rubber chicken or silly hat that no one will ever use, give them with a pack of toilet tissue or some other useful object. Be creative.

Save Online

If you must shop for gifts, avoid the crowds, traffic and emptying your gas tank. Try online auction sites. They have used stuff, but did you know they have new stuff as well? You can purchase name brand items for far below retail price from individuals that can't use or don't want them.

Have Fun

Maybe you actually enjoy the hustle and bustle and want to brave the shopping malls. Okay, you can still help. Go carpool shopping with your friends to save gas and make a day of it. Don't forget to purchase a few canvas reusable shopping bags. They are very durable and only cost a buck or two. This saves the need to recycle all those plastic bags.

Reuse

Wrapping paper, all I can say is "boo, hiss". Think of how many garbage bags full of the stuff you take to the dump after the holiday is over. Now imagine that times the millions of people that celebrate this season. If we could make mountains from all that garbage, it would be enough to recreate Mt. Everest. Instead, use gift bags. These, along with the tissue paper, large bows and shirt boxes can all be reused the next year. My family has been teetering these back and forth for years. We've only added a few bags and boxes to the landfill every couple of years.

You Can Do It

Wasn't that easy? You didn't even have to experience a metamorphosis or burst out of your clothing to be a green hero.

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