We all know it's important to make flossing a regular part of your oral hygiene routine. But did you know conventional dental floss is made from coated nylon and can take up to 80 years to biodegrade? The good news is you don't have to forgo floss, because more environmentally friendly alternatives exist. There are two materials flooding the marketplace -- silk and bamboo -- that have the same cleaning power as conventional floss, but degrade so quickly they can be added to a backyard compost bin or thrown in the trash. You can find alternatives online and in most of the retail stores where you normally shop.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

If the thought of organizing a "swap" party with your friends to exchange old clothes, jewelry, accessories, movies and anything else sounds exhausting, think social media instead. Set up a swap page and invite your close circle of friends, then post updates with things you're willing to get rid of. People can see updates on their computers or smartphones, and they can claim things and swap for something else. This is a great way to find a new home for things that may otherwise get trashed.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

If you love to decorate your home with natural materials for the holiday season, be careful if you have pets in your home. Poinsettia, holly and mistletoe all have different levels of toxicity that can make your pet sick -- or worse, kill them. Poinsettia leaves are the least toxic, but the plants are often heavily sprayed with pesticides, which can make your pet sick. Holly and mistletoe are incredibly toxic and can cause seizures and death if ingested. It's best to keep those out of the house and to keep poinsettia far away from where your pet can reach them.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION