Instead of buying expensive gifts in elaborate packaging, consumers are being urged to think green during the holiday season.
From Christmas trees and gifts to greeting cards and wrapping paper, the National Wildlife Federation (US) has suggested people select presents that don't contribute to waste, pollution and global warming.
"We all know that in the holiday season our amount of garbage just skyrockets," NWF spokesman David Mizejewski, "One of the main things people should try to remember is that we don't need as much stuff as we think we need," he added.
The NWF has compiled a list of service-oriented gifts including a massage, pedicure, baby-sitting or even something as meaningful as offering to spend time with someone.
"If you need to give a physical gift we recommend things that would have a positive impact on the environment or options that are more eco-friendly or help people that actually connect with nature," he added.
Also included on the list are bird houses and feeders, fair-trade coffee and tea, organic flowers and wine and wildlife adoptions.
Mizejewski also recommended buying a real Christmas tree that is locally grown and has contributed positively to the environment, rather than a plastic one that will spend generations in a landfill after it is discarded.
If people are set on buying an artificial tree, he recommended getting one that is recycled or made of aluminum instead of plastic, which is a fossil-fuel product.
"The greenest option of all is to get a living tree that you can actually plant in your yard or there's actually a lot of great indoor tropical plants that are sold as house plants that could make a great Christmas tree," said Mizejewski
The group also recommends using recycled paper for greeting cards and choosing energy-efficient LED holiday lights for decorating.
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