Every year, Christmas always has a huge impact on the environment. Tons of gift-wrappers, paper plates, Christmas cards, presents are produced in huge quantity to cater to people celebrating the joyous day all around the world. 

Having said that, let's have a Green Christmas this year! An environmental friendly Christmas that has less impact on the Earth. Here are a few tips that will help save the planet while at the same time making Christmas more fun-filled. 

If one person gives out 10 cards, imagine how many trees were chopped for the entire community that celebrates Christmas. Get your creative juices flow by making your own cards. For younger kids, shows like Art Attack offer lots of advice on how to make cards and decorations. Replace the materials with recycled papers and pictures cut out from magazines or newspapers. Pressed flowers and leaves are perfect for decorating the cards. Last year's Christmas cards can also be recycled into new cards, but make sure that the senders never find out. By making your own cards, no plastic wrappers will be used, no transportation involved, and it's cheaper, considering the economy now.

If you are busy, save time and money by sending out e-cards. Free e-cards can be found easily on the net. If you prefer sticking to the tradition of sending out real Christmas cards, and wouldn't mind spending some money, buy Christmas cards made out of recycled materials.  

There are lots of green gifts that can be found everywhere. Take some time to browse on sites like e-bay, or go Christmas shopping at shops that sells Eco-friendly goods, and you might find many interesting gifts for your friends and family. Certain products made out of alternative materials that are easier to produce such as bamboo instead of wood are definitely great choices. T-Shirts that send out green messages and are eco-friendly themselves make the top of the list for sure. Here is a great blog entry that features several shoe brands that sell environmental friendly foot-gloves.

To avoid sending out presents that eventually end up as rubbish, ask your recipients what they like to receive. Gift vouchers are safe choices as they can buy anything they want. Make a wish-list yourself if possible. If you receive anything that you don't want or don't need, smile because you know that you will be spending less next Christmas and secretly wish that your next recipient will like what you have received.

Use magazine pages or other unused papers as gift wrappers. Beautiful chocolate or candy wrappers can be used to decorate the surfaces. I am sure the recipients will be delighted to receive gifts that help save the environment.

This is the part where I go all particular and act like your typical granny. For the mums and grannies, it's time to go shopping for groceries and ingredients for Christmas dinner. To save fuel, car pooling with other mums is the best option as it also reduces pollution and provides a good opportunity for some mamma-bonding. 

Besides that, buying in large quantities could help save money too. The market guy would be all too happy to propose a 'buy 2 turkeys free 1 chicken foot' or something like that. Buy organic ingredients that are more healthy. Say no to all things artificial!

One crucial item that a green mum should never forget to bring is reusable shopping bag or basket. Certain stores like Tesco or Cold Storage sell shopping bags that you can bring everyti

me you shop. These shopping bags help eliminate the need of plastic bags. Bio-degradable or not, plastic bags are plain fugly. 

I'm not asking you to turn your house into a jungle, or a hideous pile of green things jumbled up together. Showoff your kids' talent by asking them to decorate the house with available materials. One thing to note if your are living in a place that don't snow during Christmas - even though how much Christmas is often associated with snow and snowman, try to convince your children not to scatter ice or snow they gathered from the refrigerator. Use fake Christmas trees that can be reused ever year. If possible, try making all the ornaments for the Christmas tree yourself (besides the light bulbs, unless you want to go all crazy and catch fireflies). Energy saving light bulbs provide suitable lighting while at the same time save energy for your house.

If you are used to buy paper plates and cups, plastic forks and spoon, or worst, polystyrene cups and plates, do NOT repeat that for this Christmas! These party dishes and cutlery are harmful to the environment and they are disposable, which means they are rubbish, and rubbish or wastes do no good to the environment. Instead, prepare reusable cups, plates and cutlery that can be washed for more helpings. Use real napkins instead of paper serviettes. Lastly, use environmental friendly detergent to wash the dishes. If you have the time and effort, it is best to make your own garbage enzyme. 

It's a long way to save the planet but if everybody contribute a little during this festive season, I am sure that the Earth will be happier. 

Wish everybody a Merry 'Green' Christmas and a Happy New 'Green' Year!!!