Eco-minded families may be dreaming of a green Christmas, but they'll pay a premium to make that dream a reality amid the recession this holiday season.

The options are diverse everything from energy-efficient LED Christmas lights to organic candy canes. But how much more does an environmentally-friendly Christmas cost? SmartMoney.com went holiday shopping to find out. After comparing prices, we discovered that it s not easy or cheap being green.

Order 100 holiday cards printed on recycled paper from TinyPrints and it will cost $137 $8, or an extra 6%, more than the exact same cards printed on regular paper stock. A dozen organic candy canes? That ll be an added $1.11, or 38%. Buy Junior a PlanToys wooden train set made with recycled Rubberwood and water-based paints and spend an extra $15, or 27%, compared with the Fisher-Price plastic Geotrax set.

Then there s the biggest budget buster: energy-efficient holiday lights. At Christmaslights.com, a 24-foot string of 70 LED mini-lights costs $17.98, nearly $13 more than a string of 100 incandescent mini-lights. Buy around 400 lights for a six-foot tree, and you could end up spending an extra $87.80. Looking on the bright side, LED lights claim to be up to 90% more energy efficient than conventional holiday bulbs, which could translate into a monthly savings of $4 a month on your energy bill if you light your tree for 10 hours a day, according to the EnergyIdeas Clearinghouse, which is managed by Washington State University Extension Energy Program.

One environmentally-friendly purchase that won't cost more is a live Christmas tree that can be replanted in your yard or in a local park. The potted tree we found at Simonson Farms in Cranbury, N.J., cost $50, the same amount as a cut tree. (While you won t find a tree with its roots at every corner tree lot, many tree farms do carry them.)

We didn't even delve into how much an organic holiday meal will run. Read our story here

The premiums we found at online retailers for eco-friendly products are fairly typical, according to Bob Schildgen, a founding director of the Green Chamber of Commerce, a lobbying and business organization that promotes environmental practices. It can cost anywhere from 10% to 40% more for any item that s produced through a more environmentally-sound process, he says.

A potted, live tree won t cost you extra, but keeping it alive until you re ready to plant it could prove challenging.

Source: Simonson Farms

The recycled prints cost just 6% more than cards on regular paper stock. However, if you really want to protect the environment and save money send a card via email.

Source: TinyPrints.com

Philips energy-efficient flat-screen TV is a bit pricier than a similar-sized Toshiba set, but over time, a household that watches a lot of television could save on their electricity bill.

Source: Philips Electronics/Buy.com
Photo courtesy of Philips Electronics

Your health-conscious guests will appreciate the effort made to find an organic fruit cake, but the premium may not be worth it if no one bothers to eat it.

Source: Old Cavendish Products

PlanToys train set is made from organic Rubberwood and water-based inks, but it lacks the bells and whistles featured on the Fischer-Price Geotrax set.

Source: PlanToys/Amazon.com
Photo courtesy of PlanToys

While the eco-friendly wrapping paper may look nice, few people use enough of the stuff in any given year to stop global warming.

Note: The price for Papyrus traditional wrapping paper is based on a 10-foot roll priced at $8.95.

Source: Peacefulvalleygreetings.com, Papyrus

As pure a candy cane as you ll find, but our environmental experts had a good chuckle when we asked if we could save the planet by buying these candies.

Source: Pure Fun/Amazon.com
Photo courtesy of Pure Fun

Far fewer pesticides are used to produce organic cotton, but this adorable layette set seems a bit pricy considering a baby will grow out of in no time.

Source: Teacollection.com

This necklace is from a pearl farm that pays special attention to preservation and environmental responsibility. An even greener choice: Buy a piece of estate jewelry.

Source: Brilliantearth.com/Buy.com
Photo courtesy of Brilliantearth.com

LED lights could save you a few dollars on your holiday energy bill, but it s a lot to spend if you already own incandescent lights.

Source: Christmaslights.com

Note: Prices are for 420 LED mini-lights (six boxes) and 400 (four boxes) traditional mini-lights.