It is that time of year when we tend to go all out with the lavishness of the season. Every inch of our house is brimming with decorations, every corner stuffed with presents, and the air constantly filled with the smell of holiday treats.

This is a wonderful thing. It’s good to be a part of the season, to take joy in this time that comes only once a year. We can take the joy of the holiday season a step farther however, by changing our approach slightly so these presents, decorations, and treats are wonderful for the planet as well. Here are a few tips to help you have a green Christmas.

Gift Thoughtfully

Deep in your heart, you probably know that Uncle Henry probably doesn’t want or need a plastic travel back scratcher or that the child on your Christmas list doesn’t need more plastic toys that will soon be broken and clogging up a landfill. Sometimes choosing the right gift is hard, but it’s better to find something another person will truly use rather than a token item that will likely be thrown away.

If you know a gift is likely destined for a White Elephant Gift Exchange—or the dump—skip it. Instead, focus on putting your time in finding a gift you know your friend or family will love and use every day.

Not only will this help avoid gifts getting dumped into landfill, but it will also bring more joy to the season.

Go natural for decorations

There’s something truly beautiful about a green wreath on the door, trimmings on the mantel place, or decorating the table. Using real greens to decorate is natural, and organic materials will decompose back into other earth unlike plastics.

When you’re going all out decorating every inch of the house, see how much of it you can make a natural decoration. It’s great for the planet and looks wonderful too.

Switch to LED lights

If you’d like to save a bundle on your electric bill this holiday season, a swap to LED lights can be of great benefit to you. LED lights provide the same beauty to your home as traditional Christmas lights, but at a fraction of the energy costs.

Lowering your energy bill is great for your wallet, and also great for the planet too.

Plan for Leftovers

Just like with Thanksgiving, ask your guests to bring their Tupperware if you are planning a holiday feast. Wasted food is one of the biggest problems for the planet over the Holiday season, and it’s easy to fix by planning for the leftovers.

Compost any food scraps that can’t be eaten by others, and if there’s a gross side dish that no one ever eats—don’t cook it!

These holiday tips will help you not only save the planet but get the most out of the holiday season. In the end, Christmas is about being together with your family. When you take the time to make sure they are getting presents they truly love, and not being forced to eat the foods they truly don’t, you can make this holiday season better.