Debra's "Holiday" List

Here are some ways to benefit your health and the environment all through the holiday season.

Christmas Trees

Yes, there are organically-grown Christmas trees. It's one of those things you can't order on the Internet, but you can find locally in some areas. Plus, learn all about the history of holiday trees, how to choose a tree, and how to decorate it in a meaningful and eco-friendly manner.

Shop for Christmas Trees and Wreaths...
Q&A: Christmas Trees and Ornaments...
Our Visit to the Christmas Tree Farm...

Holiday Lights

Now you can light up the season and save energy too...with LED lights that burn and burn for a fraction of the energy of ordinary lights.

Shop for LED Holiday Lights...

Greeting Cards

Send holiday greetings with cards made of recycled paper. Plus many more tips about making and sending holiday greetings.

Shop for Greeting Cards...
Learn more about greeting cards... What to do with all those greeting cards...

Gift-Giving

Here are my top ten picks for great green gifts this year.

A copy of my book Home Safe Home.
Books on natural living from Debra's Bookstore.
A gift certificate for a personal consultation with me--on the phone or on site.
A reusable water bottle so they can carry pure water everywhere.
Dishware or glassware made of recycled glass.
Wooden toys or organic cotton stuffed animals.
A bouquet of seasonal organic flowers.
Organic bodycare products made with natural botanicals and essential oils.
A selection of natural sweeteners with recipes (see below).
Renewable Energy Certificates to offset carbon production from the use of fossil fuels and help reduce global warming.

For more gift ideas, browse the list of gift websites and green gift services. The services will help you choose gifts, package them up in gorgeous baskets and boxes, and ship them to your families, friends, and business associates. Even high-end luxury gifts now have environmental benefits. There's something for every taste and budget, from the simple to the luxurious.

For more suggestions, read About: Holiday Gift-Giving for tips on giving gifts that go beyond what you can hold in your hand.

And...give free subscriptions to my newsletter Health, Home & Habitat.

Gift Wrap

Wrap up your holiday gifts with recycled paper wrap, handmade recycled paper gift bags, or reusuable fabric gift bags. Learn how you can reduce, reuse, and recycle as you wrap--and unwrap--your gifts.

Shop for Gift Wrap...
Learn more about Gift Wrap...

Christmas Stockings

The woolen Christmas stockings of days gone by are still alive and kicking on the Internet. Choose from many designs and patterns--most can even be personalized with the names of family members. These stocking are sure to become heirlooms.

Shop for Christmas Stockings...

Candles

Carry the light through the darkest days with natural beeswax, soy, palm, and bayberry candles.

Shop for Candles...

Sugar-free Holiday Sweets

This year, try making your favorite holiday treats with natural sweeteners. Choose from candies and confections, cookies, pies, cheesecake, plus eggnog, succulent dried-fruit fruitcake, cooked and raw cranberry sauces and relishes--all made without refined white sugar or artificial sweeteners.

And if that isn't enough, I've got over 200 more recipes for cakes and frostings, chocolates, custards, fruit desserts, ice creams, pastries, puddings, quick breads, sauces, and more...sweetened with agave nectar, barley malt syrup, brown rice syrup, date sugar, evaporated cane juice, fruit spreads, honey, maple syrup, stevia, vegetable glycerin or xylitol.

Browse holiday recipes made with natural sweeteners
See more recipes at SweetSavvy.com

The Natural Origins of Holiday Traditions

Why do we kiss under the mistletoe? When are the Twelve Days of Christmas? What's Santa Claus all about? Where do Christmas carols come from? Learn the answers to these questions and more as you explore the roots of some of our holiday traditions, and bring more meaning into your holiday celebrations.