The weather outside might be frightful, but that doesn't mean Canadians can't enjoy a green Christmas.

Piles of the white stuff may be mounting at the end of your driveway, but there are lots of ways to manage the piles under your Christmas tree.

Environment and Climate Change Canada announced the launch of its #12DaysofGreenTips holiday challenge campaign on Tuesday. Twitter users are invited to use the hashtag to follow Environment Minister Catherine McKenna who will be sending out daily suggestions over the holidays.

Her first tips came out in a video, filmed on Parliament Hill:

"One of my favourite things to do during the holiday season is to spend time with my family outside," McKenna told viewers. "We in Ottawa are lucky to have access to the Parks Canada National Historic Site, the Rideau Canada. And right across the river, in my friend (Liberal MP) Will Amos' riding, we have Gatineau Park, where we can all go skiing and snowshoeing with our families."

Of course, for all the news junkies and other people on your list who are hoping for progress on environmental and social justice, you might consider a National Observer subscription. You can also make donations and give the gift of real journalism in Canada.

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