Getting ready to celebrate your baby’s first Hanukkah or Christmas?

Cradle contributor EcoMom Kimberly Pinkson offers some great “green” ways to commemorate your baby’s first holiday:

GIVING

• For older kids and family members, give experiences rather than stuff: gift certificates, movies, dinners, spa treatments, babysitters.

• Support wildlife preservation with adopt-an-animal type programs.

• AVOID: pressed wood toys (made with toxic glues), pretend metal jewelry (often contains lead), and lights and sounds (often contain batteries with mercury).

SAVE ENERGY

• Invest in LED light strands and save money on energy costs for years to come (and reduce your carbon footprint).

• Use soy candles to light your holiday dinners and keep toxic fragrances out of your child’s home atmosphere.

REDUCE WASTE

• Opt for e-cards, or those made with recycled paper.

• Save cards you receive and repurpose as gift tags next year.

• Make the wrapping part of the gift (a wooden toy tucked in a new hat and a bow-tied scarf, for example).

{Read more ideas on gifts and celebrating baby’s first holiday season at Ask EcoMom}