Give Green This Christmas

No, we’re not talkin’ cash. Share these presents for the planet.

by Ellie Kay

This year, with some forethought and strategy, your gifts could keep on giving throughout the entire year. Just place an emphasis on keeping the season green.

GIFT CARDS can be recharged and can save a tree or two as packaging is minimized. They also can help a cash-strapped family buy the essentials. Consider giving E-CARDS instead of traditional cards to save money, stamps, time and trees (although make sure you keep track of those digital codes!)

MAKE A ‘GREEN BAG.’ Help families and friends continue to save money by putting together a “green bag” filled with CFL light bulbs and other items labeled eco-friendly, including CDs, baby products, apparel and other sustainable products — then put them together in reusable tote bags. Consider gifting our environment by giving APPLIANCES with an ENERGY STAR rating. This saves our natural resources, energy and will save the recipient money, too.

DONATE. Reach out to the global community and help other groups become more self-sustainable. One year, my brother-in-law made a donation to a non-profit organization in our name. This group was responsible for digging fresh water wells in third world countries. Under the Support Our Troops section of OurMilitary.mil, you can find organizations that give care packages to the troops throughout the year. You can recycle unused toiletries from hotel stays or buy eco-friendly versions of the items needed for these packages and assemble them as a family — it’s a great lesson to our kids about giving green and making it a habit.

CARPOOL. Speaking of habits, there’s good news: you don’t have to sit in the back of a pickup truck, looking for lawn clippings in order to ride green. Instead go to www.militaryrideshare.com, which connects military families to ride shares going home for the holidays.