Thoughtful gift giving can help reduce the volume of trash and make the holidays a more environmentally friendly time of year.

As you shop, consider items like tickets to movies, plays, concerts and sporting events as a way to provide an enjoyable experience without producing waste.

You will please everyone on your list, regardless of age, with gift certificates to favorite eateries—and there are lots of great places right here in The Woodlands.

For those who already have everything, give a gift of service—a massage, manicure, baby-sitting, yard care or maid service.

If you want to give that special someone something more tangible, consider the many attractive and unusual recycled content items that are available both in stores, through mail order catalogs and on the Internet.

Now to the wrappings … consider using a whimsical, reusable tea towel or cloth napkin to wrap a whole set of cloth napkins or theme gift. Also reusable, fabric gift bags are a lovely holiday tradition and another way to reduce waste.

With thoughtful gifts that reduce waste, it is fun and easy to make being nice to the environment a part of your family’s holiday tradition.