Make sending Christmas cards environmentally friendly by using cards printed on recycled paper and deliver as many as you can by hand. Consider sending electronic cards instead of traditional ones. Buy cards that are made locally and that are sold on behalf of charity organisations.
Presents should be chosen thoughtfully so that they are useful or educational. Try to buy locally made gifts. Buy energy-efficient presents when possible. If you give clothing, try to buy Fairtrade items.
If you buy an artificial Christmas tree make sure you look after it so that it can be used again next year. If you choose a real tree, take it to your local recycling depot when Christmas is over. Use LED lights on the tree, since they are energy-efficient. Switch lights off before you go to bed.
Don't buy new decorations just for the sake of doing so.
Consider using festive themed carrier bags instead of wrapping paper, so that they can be used again next year. Use hand-made gift tags.
Buy organic food for your Christmas meal and try not to make too much food. Recycle excess food into pet food and use teabags and eggshells in the garden. Make your own Christmas cake.
As far as drinking goes, make sure you enjoy yourself responsibly; do not drink and drive and make sure that you recycle all bottles and cans.
Don't use disposable crockery, cutlery and linen for the table. Washing up uses less energy than is needed to produce disposable goods. Also, landfill sites won’t be affected by real goods this Christmas.
Make your own Christmas crackers, that way you can fill them with interesting, useful items – as opposed to cheap novelties no-one wants. Use toilet rolls as the centre of each cracker and old wrapping paper as covering.
Save fuel by having your car serviced and check your tyre pressure before leaving on long trips. Try not to travel during peak times, this way you can avoid some of the traffic jams. Check weather reports so that you don't get delayed by snow and ice on the roads. If you can, give people lifts, or use public transport.
Avoid buying Christmas party outfits. Try to use what you have already, failing that, see if you get lucky shopping at a charity shop.
