DENVER -- Going green can mean buying less, especially for the holidays.

Short of making your own gifts, the next best way to go green this holiday season is to buy local. If you're looking for some local going green gifts, I've compiled a few ideas that are sure to help you cross off some gift recipients on your list.

Buying locally from local artists and crafters is a great way to support the economy and reduce a product's travel time, and ultimately reducing its carbon footprint.

If you like homemade odds and ends, Fancy Tiger, a craft supply store on Broadway, is sponsoring "Holiday Homemade." There will be over 60 local crafters selling their goods on Dec. 4 and 5 at South Broadway Christian Church. Go to fancytiger.com for a list of crafters. There will be yummy treats by Sugar Bakeshop as well.

Many local stores in Denver are giving discounts if you purchase or eat at their establishments during the week of Nov. 30 to Dec. 6. This is the third annual event dubbed "Buy Local Week," which is brought to you by Coloradolocalfirst.com. Check out the Web site for a complete shopping guide, events and discount offers from stores. In addition, you can search locally owned businesses in your ZIP code and throughout the metro area. It's well worth the visit.

If you can't make it during this week, I highly recommend just visiting the downtown shops in your local downtown area. Most retailers in small downtown areas will have a mix of local goods as well as eco-friendly gifts.

Some small downtown areas worth visiting are Littleton, Boulder, Longmont and Fort Collins. In the Denver area, I have found great stuff at retailers on South Broadway before Alameda, Old Pearl Street, East 17th Street area near Park Avenue, and the Highlands on 32nd Street and Tennyson Street area.

If you live in the Colorado Springs area or just want to make a day trip, there will be an Eco-Art Market at the Smokebrush Gallery and Foundation for the Arts. The event will feature all Colorado made, eco-friendly, one-of-a kind decorative artworks created by over 20 local artists. Some of the items include handmade paper, recycled glass ornaments, upcycled material jewelry, upcycled beer bottle tumbler and rock glasses, garden hose baskets and much more.

The event begins Friday, Dec. 4, with an opening reception from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and runs until Dec. 23. For more information, go to Smokebrush Gallery.

What did we ever do before gift cards? I'm all for gift cards. It's certainly a better alternative to mail your gift than a huge package, but if you're looking for a gift for someone in Colorado, why not spend your money supporting arts, education and even the environment here?

A great gift idea is buying gift cards or tickets for admissions to local things to do like The Denver Art Museum, The Denver Museum of Nature and Science, The Denver Botanic Gardens, The Denver Zoo, The Denver Center for the Performing Arts and the Winter Park Ski Train.

Check out Colorado.com and go to the Arts and Entertainment section for an extensive list of places to see. One of the features I like on this Web site is that you can refine your search to your local area.

Another wonderful gift, especially for those who love the outdoors, is a seasonal Colorado Park Pass or National Park Pass. An Annual Park Pass for visiting Colorado State Parks is $60. Learn more about the Colorado Park Pass. A National Parks Annual Pass is $80. Go to nps.gov for a selection of various passes for even less.

Even if you cannot buy locally for all your gifts, buying some or at least 50 percent of your purchases locally, is a worthwhile effort.

When you buy from locally owned businesses, you are continuing to strengthen the economic community. Check out this interesting case study on local businesses vs. chains.

Buying locally this holiday season is the best gift you can give your community to keep it unique, create more jobs and encourage prosperity down the road. Best of all it's reducing our impact on the environment by keeping sprawl, congestion and pollution down. Make an even bigger impact by carpooling or taking public transportation to get to your shopping destinations.