Have A Holly Jolly Eco-friendly Christmas!

Christmas is just around the corner.  I enjoy this time of year - I get to spend time with family and friends, watch holiday movies, eat, and bake cookies.  However, during this time of year, the environment takes a big hit with the increase in consumerism and household waste.

When I was younger, after opening gifts, I would always try to salvage gift wrapping paper and bows for reuse.  Over the years I have incorporated other things - purchasing Christmas cards and wrapping paper made from recycled paper, shopping from local artisans, using soy-based candles, and donating to environmental organizations.

There's still a lot that I can do for sure.  I try to do my part in lowering my impact on the environment, so that there will be more Christmases for future generations to enjoy.

For more ideas, check out these resources:

• Five Tips for an Eco-friendly Holiday Season (Environmental Defence Canada)
• 5 Ways to be Green this Holiday Season (WWF Canada)
• Your Guide to Green Holidays (David Suzuki Foundation)
• Go Green This Holiday Season (The Nature Conservancy)
• Go Green for the Holidays (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
• 9 Green Gift Ideas for the Holiday Season (The Huffington Post)
• A-Z of Tips for a Green Christmas (The Guardian)