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The holidays are a wonderful time of year. We use the time to visit and think of friends and family. We also need to make it a time to think of our home, the EARTH. Why not make our holidays green in other places besides just the Christmas tree. Gifts and wrapping paper are a part of the holidays, but is there any way to use less wrapping and still have all the sparkle and fun of the presents? We started a "green" tradition that soon became one of our favorite parts of Christmas.

One year, after moving in our first new home, my children and I started a new holiday tradition. I found holiday themed nesting boxes. These are matching boxes that fit inside each other and keep getting smaller and smaller as they go. Ours have twelve boxes, each complete with a lid. Each of my three children picked a different style. They come in snowflake patterns, the twelve days of Christmas, and many other patterns. Before bed on Christmas Eve they put "their" empty boxes, with all the other boxes inside, in front of the tree. When they awaken there is a six foot pyramid where the one box once stood. Each box contains a gift. They start at the top and work their way down taking turns as they go.

It can be tricky to fit the gifts in the boxes, almost a puzzle, but a fun task for me after they go to bed. I need to figure out what gift will go in which box. Some of the boxes can be quite small, and some of their gifts can be quite large. When a gift won't fit a box I put a clue in the box. That clue tells the child where they might look for their gift. It could be in the mailbox, or in the dryer, or just about anywhere. Before I knew it this became the best part of Christmas morning. The kids were happier to get a clue box than an actual gift!

As the children got older it still holds mystery for even the oldest. When one child got their driver's license, I extended the scavenger hunt to friends' homes and other places. The friends, of course, were in on the game and they held another clue to give the children. They finally got a clue sending them back to the house where I was now showered and waiting with breakfast and hot coffee.

One of the most important things I found was the lack of trash. No longer did I have to corral all the loose paper and fill garbage bags only to throw it into the landfill. I must admit, this was an accidental discovery, but it is amazing how much trash is avoided. I also save all that wrapping time and money is saved by not buying all that paper. We use the same boxes each year, so the only cost was the first time we got them. We must get creative to find ways to help our planet, but this makes me realize that with a little imagination it can be a lot of fun.

Learn more about this author, Bonnie Martin.
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