How can you green your Christmas and reduce your carbon footprint this holiday season?

Wake Forest University Director of Sustainability Dedee DeLongpre Johnston offers these excellent green Christmas tips:

Use sustainable gift-wrap.  “Consider saving and re-using holiday wrapping paper just as your grandmother once did. Or wrap your gifts in pretty fabric that can be used for other purposes.”

Decorate with energy-efficient lighting. “While many people still use standard incandescent holiday bulbs, decorative LED lights are now available in a variety of holiday shapes and colors. In addition to having a much longer lifespan than standard lights, LEDs also reduce fire risks because they stay cool to the touch.”

Give consumable gifts. “Most of us don’t need any more stuff, or as DeLongpre Johnston points out, we’re all “stuffed out.” So consider giving the gift of services instead, or goods that can be consumed. Some ideas include massages, pedicures, tickets to sporting events, gift certificates for restaurants and other similar pampering treats. Other options would be to give consumable gifts that keep on giving all year long like a membership to a Wine of the Month Club or a monthly delivery of seasonal fruits grown locally.”

» Read more: How To Green Your Christmas