DECATUR - Stringing kernels of popcorn for garland, creating your own star to post atop the Christmas tree or, better yet, skipping the Christmas tree altogether this year, may not seem like bad ideas for families looking to save this season.

But saving some green for the holidays has taken on a double meaning. While individuals are looking to save some cash in light of the economic downturn, it also can mean saving the planet.

"The two go hand in hand," said Laurie Rasmus, the environmental inspector of Macon County Solid Waste Management. "During the Christmas season, our consumption and waste habits become more readily apparent, simply because of the increased volume that passes through our homes."

According to the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, Americans throw away an estimated 25 percent more trash between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day than during any other time of the year. This works out to about 25 million extra tons of waste.

Though the main purpose is to eliminate waste and reduce wherever possible, pulling together an eco-conscious Christmas doesn't have to mean limiting the holiday. There are plenty of ways to think eco-friendly and Christmas cheer at the same time and give your credit card a break.

Gift wrapping is a prime example.

Sure, the present is more appealing to the eye when it's wrapped in beautiful foil paper with a ribbon, but Rasmus suggests reducing the amount of wrapping paper and boxes this season and to keep in mind that wrapping paper can be recycled with Macon County's curbside or drop-off recycling program.

Earth911.com says to be creative when wrapping gifts and make those newspaper comics, magazine pages or old maps serve a new purpose as holiday gift wrap. Or try using scraps of fabric to wrap gifts. Bows and bags aren't bad to use, as long as they are reusable.

Sue Litterly, the Central Illinois customer relations coordinator for the U.S. Postal Service, said the post office offers customers items for eco-friendly packaging from the box to the stamp, which has biodegradable adhesive.

The Postal Service, which recycles more than 1 million tons of paper, plastic and other materials annually, has teamed up with Earth911.com for "Green Your Holidays," a Web site that provides tips for having an eco-friendly holiday. One of the topics on the Web site is old Christmas cards.

"There are so many things you can do with cards," Litterly said. "You can use them as name tags for gifts or turn them into place cards or make them into ornaments."

There's also the fast and efficient e-mail or e-card that can reduce paper waste from the 3.4 billion letters and cards mailed nationwide over the holidays. But Litterly doesn't think e-mailing is the better option.

"Would your grandmother rather get an e-mail from you than a card you wrote or personally picked out for her?" she said. "I think not. That mail moment is very important."

The Macon County Conservation District is helping children go green this season by letting them make ornaments out of pine cones and other items. The district will have several sessions at Rock Springs Nature Center in Decatur.

Kevin Greene of the Illinois EPA's office of Pollution Prevention urges individuals who want to be eco-conscious this holiday season to start small.

"We're trying to get people to start with the easy stuff," he said, such as purchasing holiday cards from recycled material, making edible gifts, using LED Christmas lights, shopping with reusable bags or carpooling for shopping trips.

"We don't want to be too preachy, and we don't want to overwhelm, but we want to give them options," he said. "We feel if you give people options ? it will change their everyday habits over time, and they'll take on more challenging things later."

Greene understands people are looking "to stretch their dollar as far as they can" this season.

"If you're going for a bigger-ticket item, like a computer or an appliance, look for the Energy Star," which means the item is energy-efficient, he said.

Rasmus believes individuals will be more discerning this season, buying more practical items.

"Where the conflict comes in is if we're looking for cheap goods ? we're disappointed when it isn't durable or it breaks," she said. "I think everybody's feeling the pinch this Christmas," but it's worth spending a little extra cash for items that will last, she said.

And for the loved ones who have everything, Greene suggests giving them nonmaterial gifts, such as baby-sitting, house cleaning or a gift certificate for dinner, a massage or concert.

"It can be hectic around the holidays, and a lot of people look for ways to simplify it," he said. "Sometimes, one of the most precious and simplest gifts we can give is our time, love and energy."

TIPS

- Buy gifts that are kinder to the environment, such as compact fluorescent bulbs, low-flow shower heads, cloth shopping bags, a solar-powered calculator, educational eco-toys, backyard composter, and recycled-content stationery and note pads.

- Choose rechargeable batteries rather than disposable batteries to accompany your electronic gifts.

- If you send holiday cards, buy recycled-content cards and envelopes. Or, make your own cards out of last year's cards. You can also try sending electronic greeting cards to reduce paper waste.

- Consider nonmaterial gifts, such as gift certificates or coupons for dinner, music lessons, pet-sitting, house cleaning, prepaid class registration, massages, sporting events, museums, concerts or plays.

- Make edible gifts, such as breads, cookies, preserves, dried fruits, nut mixes or herbed vinegars. Give the baked goods in holiday tins or baskets that can be reused.

- After the gifts have been opened, take foam peanuts and bubble wrap to a mailing or shipping store, where they can be reused. Save boxes and bows for reuse.

- Invest in your family and friends. Instead of giving a gift, contribute to a child's savings account or give them a U.S. Savings Bond. Or, give a monetary donation in a friend's name to a favorite charity.

- Think up creative gift wrapping ideas. Wrap gifts in the comics, old calendars or maps, decorated brown grocery bags, or a colorful piece of fabric. Also remember to save gift boxes, ribbons, bows and gift wrap to use next year.

- Got a new microwave, toaster, clock radio, toy or coat? Consider giving away your old appliances, toys, games or clothing to a local charity or thrift store.

- Consider using energy-saving, solid-state LED holiday lights and strands that are up to 90 percent more efficient than traditional incandescent holiday bulbs.

- If you plan to entertain, have clearly marked recycling containers at your party for guests to recycle their cans and bottles. Send leftover items home with guests in reusable containers.

- After the holidays, look for ways to recycle your tree instead of sending it to a landfill. Check with your local solid waste department and find out if they collect and mulch trees.

- If you're going away from home for the holidays, turn down your thermostat and put lights on timers to save energy.

Source: Illinois Environmental Protection Agency

For more tips to "Green Your Holidays," visit www.earth911.com/green-your-holidays.

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