Eco-Friendly Holiday Guide

"Green" is the preference for 71% of consumers, who say they plan to buy eco-friendly or energy-efficient products when possible this holiday season, according to a survey by price-comparison search engine PriceGrabber.com. Beyond a desire to save the planet, these consumers are motivated in part by escalating fuel prices, which are projected to increase U.S. household heating costs by an average of 10%, according to the Energy Information Administration.

But those same skyrocketing energy costs that increase the appeal of, say, a 15%-more-efficient Energy Star furnace, are also making it tough to stomach the premium price tags such eco-friendly goods often carry. Why shell out $65 for Levi's jeans made with organic cotton, for example, when the brand's conventional versions start at $48?

With careful shopping and a few energy-saving measures, you can go green this winter without busting your holiday budget. Consider these simple switches for common seasonal expenses:

Once the needles start littering the carpet and it's time to dispose of your tree, find a local recycling program through your county or city environmental department. Jefferson Parish, La., sinks bundles of donated trees to protect marshland from erosion, while Cook County, Ill., uses them as a nesting habitat for herons and egrets. Plenty of areas also mulch the trees for use in local parks.

Real trees can be economical, too. A six-foot Blue Spruce is just $20 at the Bees, Fleas and Trees farm in Litchfield, Conn., or $15 at Juneau's Christmas Trees & Reindeer Farm in Foster City, Mich. Meanwhile, a lifelike 6-foot-5-inch artificial version from specialist Balsam Hill goes for $259. Sure, a good-quality artificial tree will last for years, but once thrown out, they won't biodegrade in the landfill, says Gangloff. (Click here for tips on which type of tree you should buy.)

"Using things that don't need to be thrown out is the ideal," she says. Gift bags are the obvious choice; especially if you've saved ones gifted to you in previous years. Bought new, you'll need to weigh the cost-effectiveness: Will the items you stuff in a $1 bag use up at least one-third of a $3 wrapping paper roll? Lessen the hit with a trip to the dollar store, where gift bags are often two or three for a buck.

A more earth-friendly option is to forgo wrapping paper altogether and use part of the gift itself as wrapping. Stash DVDs in a big decorative bowl, for example, or place assorted beauty products in a traveling case. Or, just wrap with items that you would have thrown out anyway, advises Richards. Newspaper is the classic no-frills wrapping choice, but she also likes maps and glossy magazine pages, which are a little more offbeat and eye-catching.

You will pay slightly more in upfront costs, however. At specialty retailer 1000Bulbs.com, a 70-light string of multicolored mini LED lights is $14.31, while a 100-count string of the incandescent version is $9.04. But because LED bulbs last up to 100,000 hours and are much hardier than their incandescent counterparts, you'll spend less cash — and time — over the long run replacing or repairing defunct strings, says Ronnie Kweller, a spokeswoman for the Alliance to Save Energy.

To help cover the upfront cost of LED lights, look for rebates through your local utility company. The Maine Public Utilities Commission offers consumers a $1.50 coupon per string of LED lights, while Anaheim Public Utilities in California offers $10 and $20 gift cards for Starbucks, Borders or Home Depot, based on the number of bulbs you buy.

To cut your costs, stick with a USDA-certified organic bird. Labels that indicate free-range, certified humane or heritage breed — although desirable — add to the cost. (Click here for more tips on buying organic foods.)