In all the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, the average American produces 25% more waste than produced at any other time of year. However, there are plenty of ways to maintain a sustainable atmosphere and still enjoy all the goodies of the season!

By tradition, everyone has grown accustomed to receiving decorative holiday party invites in the mail. Nonetheless, electronic holiday invitations are just as festive and are a great way to keep up that sustainable spirit. By sending invitations via sites like Evite, paper waste as well as emissions associated with production and delivery of holiday cards is greatly reduced. This is also a great way to save time and money as you can send them off with the click of a mouse, completely free of charge! Some families have even applied this to the usual holiday family cards that are sent out. In our technology-savvy generation, people have used YouTube videos and other forms of social media to spread their holiday cheer. The Holderness family of Raleigh, North Carolina has quickly become a hit on the internet with their e-holiday card called “Christmas Jammies.” Check it out! Christmas Jammies Holiday Card.

Another great way to save is to recycle holiday bags, bows, and any other wrappings. Instead of tossing bags and bows after they’ve been used for one gift, don’t hesitate to use the bag for another holiday gift or to wrap ribbons and bows wherever needed if they’re still looking good. A more creative way to save would be to use recycled paper, comics, or anything else of one’s liking to wrap gifts.

The most important and anticipated part of holiday gatherings is without a doubt what is being served for dinner. Shopping locally for all of the necessary holiday groceries will provide shoppers with the freshest and most nutritious seasonal foods as well as help contribute to local businesses. This will also reduce necessary transportation needed to deliver foods from other parts of the country.

Some final quick tips include: using holiday light strands made of LEDs to save 90% more energy, carpooling to holiday gatherings throughout the season, and when it’s time to take down the Christmas tree, recycle by having it grinded into chips for mulch. These tips along with many others can ensure everyone enjoys the red and green spirit to the fullest this Christmas!