Dear Santa: Save some of those cookies for me!

Have you started thinking about Christmas yet? It seems as soon as Halloween is over, the upcoming festive season is on everyone's mind. I have no doubt pretty little lights will soon be hanging from neighbourhood trees and shortly after, Christmas trees will be popping up in people's front windows (not that I look in other people's windows, I swear!).

No matter how early the rest of the world jumps on the holiday bandwagon, I can never seem to get organized early enough. Sure, I make plans in my head, but I usually don't put them into action until December 23. However, one thing I do get excited about is planning how to greenify my Christmas.

This year I'm going to buy a small coniferous tree, plant it in a pot and keep it inside for a couple of weeks over the holidays. When Christmas is over, I'll move it back outside and care for it. I'm hoping this way I'll be able to use it as a Christmas tree for a few years to come.

If you're more into buying a fresh Christmas tree every year, try to find a locally grown one and, before purchase, inquire if it's been grown in a sustainable manner.

Have a greener Christmas!

If you're stumped for ways to go green this holiday season, you should check out A Greener Christmas. It's a great book that will give you ideas on how you can make your Christmas more eco-friendly: From recycled decorations to making your own cards and hand-crafted gift ideas. Now for the good news? I have on copy of A Greener Christmas to give away to one luck reader. Just subscribe to my blog and leave a reply here sharing your tips and tricks for a greener holiday season! I'll announce the winner on Monday, November 23.

Congratulations to ash who has won the final copy of Jill Lambert's A Good Catch. Thanks to everyone who participated in the giveaway. I hope the winners enjoy their books and if you didn't win, I highly suggest you purchase a copy or, better yet, add it to your Christmas list.

And now is the moment for my last green gift idea. Make homemade goodies! There are so so many things you can make for a sweet or salt lover. From squares to savoury cookies to spiced nuts to bark. Or, how about trying your hand and jams or pies? In my opinion, these are the best gift of all. I love being in the receiving end of homemade treats.

Click here for ideas for other gifts from the kitchen!

First off, the second winner of A Good Catch never claimed his prize, so that copy is up for grabs. All you have to do is sign up to receive my Green Living blog to your e-mail inbox and you are eligible to win Jill Lambert's A Good Catch. Click on the word e-mail under the icon at the top left side of this page (it looks like this ). Good luck!

I must officially be in the festive spirit, as I just can't get Christmas off my mind. Maybe it's because I went to see Stuart McLean's Christmas show on the weekend, or maybe it's because I haven't even thought about going Christmas shopping yet (probably the latter). Regardless, in my quest to green-ify my Christmas I thought I'd share some of my findings with you.

- Use LED, energy-efficient lights to decorate for the holidays. LED lights use 80 per cent less energy than old school tree lights - they also last longer.

- Make your own tree decorations. This year I'm going to dry out some clementines and stick cloves in them. Not only will they feel traditional, they'll smell amazing. You can also make pretty decorations with cinnamon sticks. Tie them in bundles and attach a wire (under the tie) and make a loop - hang from tree! If you are more of a crafter, there are plenty of ideas for other homemade tree decorations here.

- Get creative and make your own Christmas cards. Use recycled paper, old wallpaper or wrapping paper scraps, cardboard from cereal or cracker boxes, bows and ribbons and your imagination. Everyone is impressed with homemade cards. You'll also save a bundle of money!

- With the recession and attempts to greenify, I'm opting to give some homemade gifts this season. It's easy to make bark, squares, cookies and flavourful nuts in the comfort of my own home. I'll then package them in pretty boxes or jars.

I'd also love some more ideas, so if anyone has some great ones to share, please do so here!