Do piles of crumpled wrapping paper make you cringe? Do you pity the poor spruce that was sacrificed for the seasonal celebration? As a famous frog once said, "It's not easy being green."

During the holiday season, truer words were never spoken. With heightened eco-consciousness, it's hard not to be a scrooge as endless plastic bags and cardboard boxes fly through the doors of local stores. If you're struggling with holiday wastefulness, here are a few suggestions on how to go green without going overboard.

1. No Paper Trail

Sometimes gift giving is a risky endeavor.  There's always the possibility your judgment of sizing and style doesn't match with the recipient. Luckily, returns are an option as long as you keep the receipt. If you don't want the long paper printouts, ask about a digital receipt. Many locations of popular stores such as Gap, Nordstrom and Sears have this option available and will email your receipt instead.

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With the colder months upon us, most people are retreating indoors to find warmth and relaxation.  To create the most welcoming and inviting home this holiday season, Sherrell Watson, Public Relations Manager for Big Ass Fans, the worldwide leader in high-performance ceiling fans, recommends filling each room with comforts that will soothe not just one, but all five senses.

Here are her five tips to help make the upcoming holidays even more enchanting than years past while appealing to all five of the senses:

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PBS KIDS released data from its annual holiday tech survey which finds this year’s hottest gift for kids will be downloadable.  In fact, fifty-eight percent (58%) of parents of kids 2-10 reported that they will “most likely” or “definitely” be purchasing downloadable gifts such as apps, games, e-books and digital music.

This holiday season, PBS is offering some quick tips to help parents navigate successful selection and use of downloadable gifts:

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Thanks to the rise of daily deal sites such as Groupon and LivingSocial, holiday shopping is no longer limited to material possessions. Now the thoughtful gift-giver can dole out experiences as well. Whether it's a few laps around the track in a race car or a relaxing day at the spa, there's an unlimited number of interesting options.

In fact, a recent poll from Ipsos Public Affairs found 24% of shoppers are likely to purchase a daily deal as a gift this holiday season. Though the values can be great, not every offer is a bargain. If you have some daily deals on your shopping list, consider these tips before you buy.

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'Tis the season to be jolly, and that means a busy schedule full of holiday parties with friends, families, coworkers and neighbors. Depending on your social scene and business obligations, your calendar may quickly fill up with back-to-back festivities, all during the time of year that is most hectic and expensive for many. So how to stay financially sane during the holiday-party season? Here are several tips on how to host, gift and dress up for less.

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As I child, I was so excited to get the Toys 'R Us catalog in the mail around the holidays. I would spend hours pouring through it, picking out exactly what I wanted for Christmas. Since becoming a parent, however, the catalog hasn't given me the same feeling of joy and excitement. Instead, I worry about my four-year-old picking a ridiculously expensive toy she'll only play with once.

This year, I resisted the temptation to toss the catalog before she saw it, and instead gave her the opportunity to browse for what she'd like. I challenged myself to either find ways to save on that must-have item, or purchase a close alternative. Here are a few of my finds.

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