Go Green Christmas or Any Holiday

You may be thinking that going green isn't easy or easy to do during the holidays but just the opposite is true. Holidays lend themselves to especially renew, reuse, or recycle. Here's are just seven tips to get you started.

Tip 1. Reuse printer paper, wrapping paper, or gift bags. If the paper is not terribly wrinkled, dirty, or torn then reuse it to wrap packages. Used comic papers make great gifts for children or those graphically inclined. Lots of papers can be found in the recycle bins or by the curb free for the taking. Printer paper, writing tablets, or note pad sheets can be reused from front to back or top to bottom, recycled into makeshift notepads, or torn into strips for kids craft projects. Recycled wraps are can becoming all the rage.

Tip 2. Get stuff for free or set up your own trade group. Get together with friends for a re-gifting oriented party. Finally get rid of the stuff you don't like, want to use, and remind everyone invited to keep their sense of humor...their gift may make a return. Offer to collect unused, unwanted, or unneeded gifts and give them to charity. Many charities use these as promos or silent auction items during the year. The gift you don't like may be a lot more than junk but another's treasure. Think of families without resources that may find an extra set of dishes just the right gift. Freecyclers, Meetup, and Yahoo Groups all have connections to those with a recycle related mind just ready to go green with you. Give or receive new or gently used items during the holiday. Are you a parent with young children? Set up a cloethes or toys trade group for gently used items. Trade with friends or find a deserving family.