PORTLAND, Ore. -- The holiday season is about family traditions, festivities, celebrations and a sense of renewal. Good cheer can be spread in and around your community, too, by volunteering and making this holiday season one with new environmentally-conscious traditions with a local focus.

Here are a few tips to make this year’s holidays sustainable and rewarding:

Celebrate at home.

The holidays are among the heaviest travel seasons of the year. Staying close to home, or hosting your own party, can help you conserve gas, reduce carbon emissions and improve air quality. Think of it as a gift to everyone!

Purchase local ingredients for the holiday table.

Local and organic fruit, vegetables, meat and grains taste better to many people and also help your community’s farmers and growers. Find organic food in your area by checking the Eat Well website. You can also find local wines in an easy-to-search directory at the Oregon Wines website.

Donate your time, money or food to those in need.

Meals on Wheels offers a great way to make a difference in the Portland metro community by giving to homebound seniors and those less fortunate. And with higher transportation costs and a down economy, the non-profit says it can use a lot of help this year to meet its goals of feeding those in need.

-- Donate dinner to someone in need at your local New Seasons, Whole Foods, Thriftway or Haggens grocery store. Simply tell your cashier you’d like to give Thanksgiving meal to Meals on Wheels and the cost will be added to your receipt.

-- Volunteer to deliver hot food for an hour, a day or one day a week during the holiday season. Visit the Loaves and Fishes website for more information.

Use recycled paper for wrapping, decorations and cards. 

On average, Americans waste four million tons of wrapping paper each year. Recycled wrapping paper options have become more elaborate and festive and make a great addition to any tree. Gift-wrapping alternatives can be found at http://www.eartheasy.com.