Go Green on Christmas, Tree Huggers Say

You can be eco-friendly this holiday season without turning into Scrooge, the Smithsonian reports. For those considering Christmas trees, environmentalists claim real trees are actually better for the environment than the plastic variety, which emit harmful dioxins when created or when on fire.

For those looking for an even greener tree, "balled and burlapped" trees can be replanted after the holidays are over. Trees purchased from farms that use biological methods of pest control rather than chemicals also send the right message. Environmentalists also encourage the use of LED lights instead of incandescent bulbs, and tree trimming with organic ornaments, which are available from fair-trade companies. (More Christmas stories.)