Christmas isn’t really my thing — the presents I love, the religious tie-in not so much. But if Christmas is your favorite holiday, and you want a less stressful, less expensive, less wasteful celebration this year without acting like an eco-grinch, take a look at the new holiday book of the season: I’m Dreaming of a Green Christmas: Gifts, Decorations and Recipes That Use Less and Mean More by Anna Getty.

Yes, Anna’s part of that rich oil family — but her book’s really about celebrating green on the cheap, mostly by buying less and using what you’ve got, with a little DIY flair thrown in.

I went to the launch party of Green Christmas put together by Ecostiletto at Environment Furniture in Los Angeles earlier this week, where Anna signed books — printed on 100% post-consumer recycled paper, of course — and urged everyone to waste less and enjoy more this holiday season.

Everyone from eco-celebs like Amy Smart (with Anna, left) to would-be greener moms came by to try their hand at some of the crafts in the book, enjoy organic cocktails (yes, Green Christmas has a recipe for a pomegranate antioxidant cocktail made with Veev), and get pampered at Aveda beauty stations.

A mom-with-kids-oriented book about Christmas is clearly not a read that was written with me in mind, but for eco-enthusiasts with more holiday spirit and offspring will likely find I’m Dreaming of a Green Christmas‘s $24.95 price tag pays for itself in savings during the season. Jennifer of Growing a Green Family, for example, enthuses that “Getty’s style is so chill, NOT holier than thou, and really seems genuine. I felt it was a very family friendly style that focused on celebrating with people not things in mind.”

Not sure about spending money on a book when the goal’s to buy less? Then try a few free sample recipes — mini apple strudels with brown sugar whipped cream, anyone? — and eco-DIY tips for making your own herb wreath or green gift wrap on the book’s website to get an idea of the green savings the green book will bring.

Book cover via Chronicle Books; photo of Anna Getty and Amy Smart by Sarah Strack Photography / Ecostiletto; other photos by Siel

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