For many, the tree is merely a mechanism for displaying ornaments, and the joy of the season comes mostly from creating or acquiring, and hanging seasonal decorations. The greenest option here is ornaments made from all natural materials like dried fruits and popcorn, pinecones, and recycled material like metal, paper, and fabrics –including ribbons that can be used to make decorative bows.

Of course nothing adds more ambience to your holiday décor than lighting –whether it’s wrapped around a tree or strung along your windows. Now there is a wide selection of indoor and outdoor LED (Light Emitting Diodes) Christmas lights that can rival any of the traditional versions you’ve used over the years and have far superior energy efficiency. They have a lifespan of up to twenty years, use almost no energy when you plug them in, and they remain cool to the touch –minimizing any potential fire hazard. Thy even have miniature LED holiday lights that are battery-operated!

For outdoor lighting, consider solar powered light strings –especially if you live in a location that gets a reasonable amount of sunlight during winter months.

If you like to hang wreaths on your doors during the holidays, then some of the same considerations that apply to getting a Christmas tree would apply here as well. Natural wreaths are always preferable to synthetic ones, which are made with some of the same potentially toxic petroleum by-products as most fake trees. And sadly, there’s no way to recycle or sustain the wreath after the holidays. Your best option is a hand-made re-usable version of a wreath made from eco-friendly materials –recycled cardboard or paper, sustainable wood, dried boughs, pinecones, twigs, that can be preserved and glued together or something on the order of a doughnut shaped quilted pillow or woven ribbons, etc. This could be the basis of an art project that you do with your kids or loved ones. The cleaner and simpler the materials you use, the easer it will be to store and re-use year after year.