Let it be... a Green Christmas
Christmas Cards
Save paper and transport emissions this year by sending electronic Christmas cards.
Alternatively, if you’re a traditionalist and still love sending cards through the post, there are plenty of charity cards to choose from. And with any luck, you might find some that are also made from recycled paper.
Shop Locally
Support your local community and cut down on transport costs and emissions by buying from shops in your area. If you can’t find everything you need locally, try doing as much as you can online.
Buy a Christmas Tree
It may seem surprising, but these days buying a tree's not such an eco-disaster as it used to be.
Nowadays most of them are grown in sustainably managed UK forests.
If you’re happy it’s from sustainable sources and ideally has been grown locally, then don’t feel guilty.
Just make sure it's carefully disposed of when the decorations come down - your local dump should be able to take it for recycling.
Turn Down the Heat
Hopefully it’ll be a white Christmas as well as a green one but when you get a bit chilled, instead of just notching up the thermostat another degree, move around to warm yourself up.
Even better, go outside - a ten minute walk around the block can make the house feel like an oven when you come back in!
Plan Ahead
We’ve all done that mad rush around the supermarket in the week before Christmas and loaded up our trolley with everything we could possibly want and a lot more!
Cut down on the shopping by planning your meals in advance and freezing a few extras for those unexpected visitors.
And don't forget, supermarkets are usually only closed for a day or two so only buy for a few days, that way you can judge quantities much better and there won't be so much wasted.
Gift Vouchers
If you're not sure what to buy someone, gift vouchers are a great solution.
We know it's not quite the same as a surprise gift, but at least you know the person will receive something they really want.
And you don't run the risk of your gift being left on a shelf to gather dust.
For How on Earth gift vouchers, click
here.
Last Christmas
Check through your cupboards and if you find anything you were given last Christmas but still haven't used, take it to the charity shop.
Maybe someone else can find a good home for it while they're shopping for cards...