In her latest book, I’m Dreaming of a Green Christmas, writer, chef, activist, and all-around green living expert Anna Getty presents pages upon pages of creative ways to make the holidays as eco-friendly as possible without forfeiting our favorite traditions.

Among the book’s selection of simple green projects are nature-inspired garlands, salt dough ornaments, recycled cashmere pillows, and tea box gift tags, to name a few. And many of these crafts and recipes are accessible enough to be shared with children. Getty explains, “If we incorporate our children into these new traditions of crafting with what we already have, making gifts and not buying gifts, we help our children become greener and more conscientious about respecting the planet.”

More to the point, I’m Dreaming of a Green Christmas isn’t just a book for the holidays. If you are in fact a green novice, Getty’s book is an uncomplicated entry into recycling, reducing one’s carbon footprint, and ultimately saving money in the process.

Getty advises readers to “Start with easy doable steps. If you are not recycling, start recycling, if you still use stores plastic bags switch to paper (many paper bags are now made from recycled paper) or better yet bring your own cloth bags. Do one or two things and let them become a part of you rather then too many at once and then give up. In terms of the holidays, ditch the store bought wrapping paper. Most store-bought wrapping paper uses virgin paper stock and toxic dyes or ink. Go for recycled wrapping paper or reuse paper (just be careful when you open gifts so you can save it to rewrap). Or find alternative ways of wrapping like using old maps or music sheets, or pages out of magazines or old newspapers and books.”

I’m Dreaming of a Green Christmas is available on Amazon for $16.47.

Image courtesy of Anna Getty