I’m not religious, but my parents were Christians — which means that come December, I think of a tree and stockings as the decorations of the season, and the 25th as the day for a big dinner and a gift exchange.

But since I’m an atheist, those holiday traditions aren’t at all tied to any religious beliefs — though to be fair, the tree, Saint Nick, and most of the rest of it don’t exactly have their roots in Christianity either. In any case, as there are a disproportionate number of “How to green your Christmas” type guides out there, I thought it’d be only fair to highlight green guides to other holidays!

For one-post-fits-all holiday guides: Greenzer’s got a list of Top 5 Green Holiday Cards,** with options for whatever holiday you’re celebrating. The Green Parent’s** not only put together a list of eco-friendly tips you can use for whatever your holiday of choice may be, but also created a little nabbable image for each of them!

Now for the specific holidays: Let’s start with Chanukah — or Hanukkah, depending on what English spelling you prefer. At Low Impact Living, Jessica Jensen’s put together her Thoughts on a Green Chanukah.** Start with natural beeswax or soy candles for your recycled glass menorah, move on to sustainable wood dreidels, then finish with Chanukah gifts made of tree-free and recycled materials.

At For Peace, you can read Rabbi Arthur Waskow’s suggestions for eight days of environmental action to commemorate Hanukkah.** For a more philosophical look at a green Chanukah, visit Daily Green to read about Chanukah’s relations to environmental conerns.** Then go to Green Daily** to learn about the controversy created by attempts to green Chanukah.

Then there’s Kwanzaa. At Care2, you can get a list of The Seven Symbols of Kwanzaa Made Eco-friendly!** Once you’ve made plans to eco your symbols, drop by The Daily Green to read Michael de Jong’s ideas on how you can Live Clean for Kwanzaa.**

Of course, being an atheist and an environmentalist, I remain ambivalent about the religious reasons for greening the holidays, which usually come down to pointing to some religious “proof” that environmentalism is what “god” wants. While I’m happy to see more people going green, is a belief in god — and “proof” that said god endorses environmentalism — really necessary to stop squandering resources we need while poisoning our own air, water and food? I’d like to think even simple common sense and a selfish desire for self-preservation should suffice for most people, but I guess I’m willing to take what I can get –

Photos via 3rliving.com** and soulchristmas**

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