Green Christmas

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As promised, this week;s Dreaming of a Christmas series ends with an awesome giveaway from 10 great sponsors. Each of the products included in this giveaway were mentioned this week and can help you have a more eco-friendly holiday season, from start to finish. So without further adieu, the prizes:

Yes, the giveaway includes ALL of these products! Two readers will walk away with prize packages that contain:

1. Method Holiday Collection products, including a bamboo aroma ring, a scented potpourri ornament, and a mini soy glass candle set. Value: $26

If you’ve been following the Dreaming of a Green Christmas series, you should be well on your way to having a greener Christmas than you ever have before. But there’s still one important element to consider: Gift giving. Because let’s face it — people are going to shop for Christmas, and that stack of gifts under your tree is as much a part of your decor as the tree itself. But don’t fall prey to the rampant consumerism and wastefulness that comes with Christmas. When you do give, dress your gifts in eco-friendly ways.

Now that you know what type of tree and lights to get and how to deck out the tree and your home in sustainable style, you’re probably going to be having guests over for the holidays. There’s no need to sacrifice your green lifestyle because you have company. In fact, you can use it is an opportunity to show your guests how stylish and practical eco-living can be.

If you asked my mother, she would tell you how excited I used to get about decorating our home for Christmas when I was little. Not only would I want to help trim the tree and hang garland in the living room — I would also grab ornaments and other decor to turn my room into a Christmas wonderland. I don’t get as excited these days, but many of you do. If you are one of those people, these tips will ensure that your Christmas excitement doesn’t put a strain on the environment:

Now that you’ve decided to get a real tree this year — or to continue using the artificial tree you already own — there’s some decorating to do. One of the things I have always loved about the holidays driving around town to look at outdoor lighting displays. But I can’t help feeling that all that extra load on the energy grid is unnecessary. Christmas decorating needs to be more energy efficient. So tackle the most obvious culprit: Notoriously energy-hogging holiday lights.

Thanksgiving has come and gone, and we’re seeing the sure signs that Christmas is coming — ads for “great gifts” on TV, boxes of ornaments in the aisles at the grocery store, candy canes at the checkout and throngs of shoppers at the mall every day. I love the holidays as much as the next guy, but this year, I’m determined to do something different: I’m going to make my family’s Christmas as green as possible. The avid consumerism that the holidays bring can make that a daunting task, but with a few key tips, you can do the same for your family.

This holiday season, eco-friendly is the way to go! Everywhere you look these days, there’s something “green” - from clean-running hybrid cars to hardwood bedroom furniture made from sustainably harvested forests. I guess it’s fitting that the color “green” is one of the colors that’s synonymous with the holiday season (along with red)! In keeping with the holiday tradition of “giving back,” here are the top 5 eco-friendly holiday trends this year. This is a preview of the “Green Christmas” series I’m planning for upcoming weeks.

1.) Eco-Friendly Christmas Trees: