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With the holidays fast approaching, remember to balance consumerism with respect for the environment.

For your gifts, consider skipping expensive, bleached wrapping paper. Use newspaper instead. The comics section of The News-Journal or Orlando Sentinel can add a lovely flair to your gift and is environmentally conscious if you receive the newspaper anyway. If old magazines or newspapers are not an option, buy recycled wrapping paper.

Cutting down a real tree may be better than buying a plastic tree. According to an article by Prof. Gary Chastagner of Washington State University, "most Christmas trees are grown as crop and replanted, so it is really no different than harvesting corn." Trees are naturally bio-degradable, whereas plastic or synthetics take years to decompose in landfills. Use a tree stand with water to keep the tree alive for several weeks. After the holidays, replant the tree if it is still living, or compost it with wreaths and other plants. A plastic tree is still an option if you will use it for many years.

A 2000 press release by the Environmental Defense Fund suggests you avoid disposable utensils, plates, napkins and tablecloths. Use real utensils and cloth instead, as they can be washed again and again.

Don 't cook for an army. Keep food portions reasonable and eat perishables first. That way, you will not have to fast after the holidays or discard large quantities of food.

Rather than shipping gifts to friends and family hundreds of miles away, save on tape, boxes and packing peanuts with gift cards. If you don't know the difference between a Wii and a PlayStation, a gift card is the preferred gift for a tech-savvy gamer. (Make sure you pick the right store). Knickknacks and trinkets are perennial favorites, but useful items like office and technology supplies may be better appreciated.

Obviously, you should not leave Christmas lights on all day. Turn them on only at night using a timer if possible. White Christmas lights produce more light than their tinted counterparts. Do not try to out-perform your neighbors with your Christmas display.

Above all, focus on love and worship, not materialism. You are stewards of the Earth 365 days each year. Have a merry Christmas

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