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By Felicia Chou, Program Analyst in the Office of Resource Conservation and Recovery at the Environmental Protection Agency.

I can see it now: Wrapping paper flying everywhere, brilliantly-colored, shredded tissue paper and tinsel floating through the air. Yes, it’s that time of the year again when everything we have dreamed of is presented to us under layers of ribbons, bows, and wrapping paper. This year, give the gift of environmentalism while enjoying the most wonderful time of the year.

In the spirit of green giving, I’ve always been a fan of re- gifting (Shhhh… Don’t tell anyone), because there’s only that many awkward gifts you can fit in storage. But if you really want to be spreading holiday cheer instead of holiday leer, start by choosing a “green” gift for your loved ones. Many brand new, unopened items make their way to reuse centers and thrift stores, and you never know if there’s a perfect something just waiting to be wrapped and gifted.

Items made of recycled-content that are durable enough to last years of wear and tear will help keep resources out of landfills. For greener gadgets and appliances, check out EPEAT-registered items and those that are Energy Star certified.

Instead of buying DVDs or CDs, why not give gift cards so your friends and family can just download the content? This also conserves the energy and resources required to manufacture the DVD or CD, and reduce packaging waste.

Instead of wrapping your gift, consider placing the gift in a reusable bag as part of the gift. Otherwise, use recycled paper or add an artistic flair by using old newspapers, magazines, or decorated paper. Reuse wrapping tissue paper and basket paper shreds; I go digging around the office’s paper shredder for crinkled, shredded paper to cushion my items destined for re-gifting. Dive into your creative side by making your own holiday cards, or repurpose old holiday cards by cutting out designs and making a holiday collage.

When all the wrapping paper has been pulverized, boxes and bags tossed aside, and opened holiday cards trampled underfoot in the excitement, be sure to salvage any leftover packaging you can use for next holiday season, recycling the rest.

What to do with unwanted gifts? Besides re-gifting, the Salvation Army, Good Will, and other donation and reuse centers will be glad to take them off your hands. Not only will you be helping those in need, someone in the spirit of green giving might give it to someone who will really love it.

Find more green holiday tips.

Even in a tough economy, businesses need extra help around the holidays. Seasonal employment can help supplement your income and potentially lead to a permanent position.

If you need to update your resume, check out resume and interview tips to help you stand out in the job market. Get online tools and resources to help with your job search.

Find more holiday tips.

Image description: Japanese torpedo planes attack “Battleship Row.”

Today marks the 71st anniversary of the attacks on Pearl Harbor. The Japanese attack in Hawaii launched the United States into World War II, and is known as one of the greatest military surprises in warfare history. More than 3,500 Americans were killed or wounded, devastating the Pacific fleet.

The following day, President Franklin Roosevelt addressed Congress, speaking the now famous words, marking December 7th as “a day which will live in infamy.” The United States officially entered World War II, joining allies Britain and France in the fight against Germany and their ally Japan.

On National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, we honor and pay tribute to all those who lost their lives or were wounded during the deadly attack. It is a day of remembrance to honor our military, both past and present.

Learn more about the attacks on Pearl Harbor.

Whether you’re getting close to retirement or planning for the future, check out Social Security’s retirement estimator.

The estimator gives you an idea of what your monthly Social Security benefits would be, based on your current record of Social Security earnings. Your actual benefit amount cannot be determined until you apply for benefits.

As you plan for your retirement, keep in mind that you’ll need about 70 percent of your pre-retirement earnings to maintain your standard of living. Social Security benefits will only make up a part of this percentage and should be supplemented by a pension, savings, and/or investments. Check out 10 Ways to Prepare for Retirement.

The holidays can be expensive, but you don’t have to break the bank to celebrate. Take a few minutes to decide how much you can afford to spend on gifts, travel, parties, decorations, and other holiday expenses. Once you’ve created a spending plan, keep track of your purchases.

Shopping online can help you stick to a budget as you’ll avoid the temptation of store displays and may be able to use coupons and promotion codes. Before you buy, look for free shipping offers; check ordering deadlines to ensure that your gifts will arrive on time; and read the return policy.

Get more holiday tips.

By Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary of Health and Human Services

With the holiday season upon us, it’s easy to get busy this time of year. Some pretty important tasks can get left to the last minute. One of those important tasks is ensuring you are in the right health insurance plan in Medicare. Selecting the right plan is a personal choice, and a lot of thoughtful consideration goes into finding the right match. But just like the holidays, those key dates come whether or not you are ready.

If you haven’t made up your mind yet about a health or drug plan, now is the time to make your selection. Medicare Open Enrollment ends on December 7. To help you sort through your choices, try using the Medicare Plan Finder to review the options in your area. It can help you decide the best mix of benefits and costs that meet your needs and budget.

If you find yourself in Medicare’s prescription drug coverage gap (“donut hole”), you will continue to save money in 2013 with big discounts on brand-name prescription drugs. More than 5.6 million people have saved over $5 billion on prescription drugs in the donut hole since 2010.

In these last few days of Medicare Open Enrollment, take a second to review your options. If you like your current health care coverage, you don’t need to do anything. But if you’re thinking about making any changes, now is the time to act and cross another item off your to-do list.

False rumors about the end of the world in 2012 have been commonplace on the Internet for some time. Many of these rumors involve the Mayan calendar ending in 2012 (it won’t), a comet causing catastrophic effects (definitely not), a hidden planet sneaking up and colliding with us (no and no), and many others.

The world will not end on December 21, 2012, or any day in 2012.

Unfortunately, these rumors have many people frightened, especially children. NASA has received thousands of letters concerned about the end of the world. David Morrison, a planetary astronomer and senior scientist for NASA who answers questions from the public about astrobiology, says, “At least a once a week I get a message from a young person ― as young as 11 ― who says they are ill and/or contemplating suicide because of the coming doomsday.”

According to NASA, the old mystery-planet-collision rumor year was 2003, but when 2004 arrived safely, the rumors changed to 2012. So what end-of-the-world year will the rumor mill make up next?

Videos from NASA debunking end-of-the-world rumors:

• The Science of Doomsday 2012
• 12-21-2012: Just Another Day

December 1 is World AIDS Day, an opportunity to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS, to learn about advances in the fight against it, and honor those who have been lost to the disease.

The Centers for Disease Control estimates that 1.1 million people in the United States are living with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. Nearly one in five of those are not aware that they are infected. Approximately 50,000 people become newly infected each year.

Find out how HIV is spread, how to avoid it, and how to stay healthy if infected at AIDS.gov.

Many people are diagnosed too late to fully benefit from available life-extending treatment. If you know your status, you can start getting treated and help prevent the infection of others. Find an HIV test location online or by texting your ZIP code to “KNOWIT” (566948).

Gay and bisexual men remain the group most severely and disproportionately affected by the epidemic. However, more than two-thirds (68 percent) of those infected through heterosexual sex are women. Learn more about avoiding and treating HIV for women.