HEATHER THOMAS: The Holiday season is filled with a seemingly endless list of things to do and people to see. We focus on gifts, food, decorations and a full calendar of parties, dinners and preparations.

Unfortunately, in the midst of this 'controlled chaos', it is easy to get caught up in the To Do List and lose sight of how some of our Holiday habits may not be very Earth-friendly. Making your Holiday a little bit 'greener' is easier than you may think, and will help you save money and protect the planet.

A Living Tree:
A living tree is the most environmentally friendly option. Choose a tree with the root ball still attached, rather than cutting one down, so it can be replanted after the holidays. If that's not convenient, you can always decorate with a vase full of evergreen branches cut from your yard, or remnants from a tree lot.

Festival of Lights:
Be sure your holiday candles are soy-based, lead-free, and scented with natural ingredients. Also buy candles to place in reusable glass containers that can serve as juice glasses or vases once you've washed them out after use. Another tip: Taper candles burn longer and drip less when you freeze them for several hours before lighting.

'Green' Gift Wrap:
Newspapers (especially the Sunday comics), your kids' artwork, or cloth sacks are great wrapping options. Cut the holiday images from last year's cards and use them as gift tags. For family members, consider custom personalized boxes that can be reused from year to year, or recycle your favorite gift bags. If you do buy wrapping paper, look for 100% recycled paper options.

Deck the Halls:
Consider decorating with things you have around the house instead of buying more 'stuff' every year. Children's toys, ribbons, pinecones, mittens, wooden spoons or photographs make great tree ornaments. Seasonal fruit, evergreen branches, and vases filled with cranberries and candles make wonderful centrepieces that look elegant and are still Earth-friendly. Also, opt for LED lights instead of traditional bulbs.

The Greatest Gifts:
When brainstorming the perfect gift idea, remember that a gift of experience is not only greener than a gift of things, but also lasts longer. A family trip to a local museum, aquarium, or theme restaurant is a great option to start a new tradition and create beautiful new memories. You may also want to consider planting a tree or making a donation to your favourite charity in someone's honour.

What are some of your 'Green' holiday suggestions?