Don't forget to turn off your fairy lights:
15% of household electricity is wasted by leaving TVs,computers, and other appliances on standby – costing each of us lots of money each year – turn things off when not using them.

Christmas cards:
An estimated 1.7 billion Holiday cards are sent each year. The equivalent of 200,000 trees, and about 1 million Christmas cards are thrown away!  Send recycled Christmas cards, make your own, or send texts or e-cards instead.

Recycled wrapping paper:
It's estimated that 83 square miles of wrapping paper end up in our landfills each year.  Make sure to use recycled wrapping paper or be creative and make your own from things you can reuse.

Holiday candles:
Paraffin candles are made from petroleum residues so neither do your health or the environment any good. Soy, beeswax or natural vegetable-based candles are better because they biodegrade, are smoke-free, and so more eco friendly.

Deck the halls with real holly:
Instead of spending money on artificial Holiday decorations that won't biodegrade, let nature decorate your home. House decorations can be made from organic, recycled and scrap materials. Try popcorn, dough, cinnamon sticks, bows, gingerbread, holly, seasonal berries, ivy and evergreen branches – once you have finished with them, you can put them in the composter.

Christmas trees:
If you've been wondering which is better, the simple answer is that real trees are the more eco friendly choice. Although artificial trees last for many years they are made from metal and derivatives of PVC, which requires large amounts of energy to make, and also creates by-products such as lead which can be harmful to both the environment and human health.

Tree buying tips:
Buy from a small-scale sustainable grower and/or make sure the tree has Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) accreditation, you can go to www.soilassociation.org/christmas for a list of producers.  Choose a tree with roots so it can be replanted. Why not grow your own?

Be battery wise:
Families can go through a lot of batteries, during the oliday season. Batteries contain toxic chemicals, don't biodegrade and are difficult to recycle. Instead use rechargeable ones.

Buy an organic turkey:
10 million turkeys are eaten every Holiday. If you can, try to make sure it has been reared in humane conditions. Organic turkeys taste better too.  Buy food locally, shopping at farmers markets or buying direct from the farmer is better if possible. Think of the benefits – the taste of chemical-free food, the reduction in food miles and CO2 emissions, and reduced dependence on oil.

Recycle your unwanted gifts:
Unfortunately everyone receives at least one unwanted gift at Christmas.  Recycle unwanted presents to charities. Local hospitals and hospices are pleased to receive unwanted toiletries to give to patients. Or, you could swap them for other people's unwanted gifts!

Give a charity or environmentally friendly gift:
Sponsor an animal or give a membership to a charity or environmental organization for this Holiday. Gift certificates movies or plays and even museum memberships are great. With a little planning anyone can give presents that are thoughtful, original and make a difference to the environment too.