Tis the Season to be Green!

While our society hangs in the midst of the "green revolution" and an uncertain economy, this Christmas will undoubtedly be affected by both. Daily, you hear stories and read articles about how to save some money this year, without sacrificing the joyfulness of the season.

Here are some tips from CAAmagazine's winter 2008 edition that I thought were different but also useful. Check them out!

• It's not only what you buy, but how you buy it. Carpool or take transit to the mall and don't forget to pack your own reusable shopping bags.


• Rather than purchasing presents with wasteful packaging, consider giving experiences like sports tickets or gift cards for restaurants.


• Decorate with LED lights - they are up to 90 percent more energy-efficient than regular bulbs. Put them on a timer to further reduce electricity usage.


• Trim last year's holiday cards to make this year's gift tags. Consider funky alternatives to wasteful wrapping paper - old maps, scraps of fabric or inexpensive tea towels.


• "Treecycle" your Christmas tree. Rather than lying in a landfill, it will be ground into wood chips for mulch or outdoor uses. Check with your municipality for a drop-off centre or pickup service in your area.

And one more great idea that comes to my mind:

• Send e-cards, rather than traditional greetings cards. You'll not only save some trees, but also help reduce carbon emissions to transport all those cards. Extra bonus - Donate the money you'll save on stamps and cards to a charity.