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Christmas, Hanukah, and Kwanza are fast approaching, so as Santa gears up to deliver toys, menorahs are lit, and kids get increasingly giddy, here are five ways to have an easy and green holiday.

1. Buy a real green tree. The Scientific American reports that artificial trees may last longer, but they’re often made in China from nonbiodegradable plastics and ultimately end up in landfills. A real tree not only smells good, but it’s recyclable and biodegradable. Get your tree from as close to home as possible, and buy organic if you can. After X-mas is over, recycle it via a recycling program through Earth911. Or, take it a step further and get a tree with a bulb that you can replant after the holidays. The Living Christmas Tree Company “rents” trees for holiday revelers in Portland, OR, and will pick them up and plant them in a park after Christmas.

1. Light the tree with LEDs. LED lights last longer than your average lights and save energy, but according to EnviroMom’s experience, you’ll want to test them out first and find a brand you really like.

1. Go Online for Holiday Greetings. Either send online greetings this holiday or choose a waste-less holiday card.

1. Reduce outdoor lighting. In order to see your starry night, take a tip from the International Dark-Sky Association and use low wattage (40-watt) outside, add shields to point light downward, and add motion sensors.

1. Toast the season with cardboard. According to Scientific American two million tons of carbon dioxide emissions could be saved each year if 97% of us switched to boxed instead of bottled wine. That’s the same as the carbon emissions from 400,000 cars.

Happy Green Holiday!

Image from All Things Christmas.