When giving gifts during the holiday season, it's nice to give gifts that give back and help make a difference for those in need or communities that need support. Fair trade products are items that provide a living wage to artisans or farmers and provide a steady source of income to help build the community in which they live. One organization, Fair Trade USA, has a certification program that helps consumers identify these products. You can find everything from organic coffee to jewelry to clothing and items for the home. The group's annual holiday gift guide is online at fairtradeusa.org.

For your home Christmas tree, a live, balled tree is the greenest option, since it can be planted in the yard after the festivities are over. But many of us may not have the room to actually plant a tree, so what do you do instead? Rent one! Visit your local landscaping center and inquire about renting a balled evergreen to use at home. Since the cooler months are usually the slowest, many landscaping centers have created rental programs where they deliver, set up and take back the tree after Christmas. If you do want to plant a balled tree, just leave it outside in the winter and wait until spring, when the ground has thawed, to plant it.

Cooler temperatures may mean lighting a fire in the fireplace at home, but to burn the cleanest fire, always use dry wood. Firewood that has not been properly dried out -- or seasoned -- is called "green" or "wet" wood. While it does burn, it doesn't do so completely, and it releases more pollutants into the air and can actually bring smoke into your home. This creates an unhealthy air environment in your home. How can you tell if your firewood is properly seasoned? When it burns, the wood should snap or crackle; wet wood will make a hissing sound.