We’re all trying to do our part to be more environmentally conscious. The holidays should be no exception. It’s not as hard as you might think to be more green during the holidays. Support the environment with your gifts this year—here are some ways that you can make a difference:

• Give low-impact gifts. Give gift cards for department stores, grocery stores, or restaurants, or for services such as massages, music lessons, or classes. Give tickets to events like concerts, sporting events, or theater productions, or admission tickets to a museum or movie theater. Make a charitable donation to a favorite charity.
• Give the gift of time. If you know someone who could use some extra help, make gift certificates for help you’ll provide—mowing the lawn, raking leaves, or helping clean the garage.
• Give gifts that promote eco-friendly living, like rechargeable batteries, solar-powered flashlights, or compact fluorescent lightbulbs.
• Buy gifts that are made from recycled materials or that support the environment. Check out sites like EcoMall.com, EcoExpress.com, and EarthFashions.com.
• Shop at flea markets, estate sales, and thrift shops. Purchasing secondhand items is another great way to recycle.
• Buy gifts that are made locally. This saves on greenhouse gas emissions and lowers transportation costs.Use reusable wrapping for gift bags, Christmas stockings for small gifts, and reuse them each year. Or make the wrapping part of the gift. For example, wrap a doll in a blanket or jewelry in a scarf, or give gifts in reusable canvas totes.
• Don’t wrap large or awkward items. Use just a bow and tag.
• Use recyclable wrapping paper. Wrap kids’ gifts with newspaper comics. Use brown paper bags that you or your children decorate.
• Send e-cards instead of mailing holiday cards. E-cards usually can be customized with music and a personal greeting, and you can send as many as you’d like. Try sites like 123Greetings.com, Care2.com, and AmericanGreetings.com.