Around the holidays is a time for family and friends.. Here are a few ways to keep Green on your mind while still enjoying the time.

1. Use LED lights- which stands for Light Emitting Diodes. LED lights use less energy than traditional lights.

2. Wrapping Green- the wrapping paper, ribbon and cards look wonderful on those holiday packages although they do amount for a lot of waste. Depending on who you ask- you will hear many different ideas on how to wrap gifts from using less wrapping paper and bows to using other materials that are laying around your house... Depending how "Green" you want to be will direct what you will use to wrap your gifts.. But do remember the amount of waste that wrapping paper does cause.

3. Cooking Green- Everyone wants to have enough food for the holidays but there are always left-overs. If catering the party, try not to order too much food and encourage guests to take food home. Another idea for leftovers is to donate to local food pantries and soup kitchens.

4. Christmas Tree: Buy a real Christmas tree that can be reused or replanted or use an artificial trees can be reused for an indefinite amount of time. Although they are from plastic

5. Gift Giving- many feel that gift certificates are done without thought but are great gift choices when looking to be green. Buying them on line even uses less energy and saves your individual time.

6. Greeting cards- send either electronic cards or send those make from recycled paper.