1.        Christmas Tree: Ditch the plastic, rent a real one in a rootball so it can be planted again. Make sure it is peat free and try and buy local to save on transporting miles.

2.        Say it with a card: Either send e-cards (which although are worthy aren’t quite as much fun...) or try the new eco christmas postcards, which dispense with the need for an envelope, and are folded in half into a card shape by the receiver. At the very least, buy charity cards made from recycled paper and remember to recycle them afterwards. Try and avoid shiny wrapping paper, and look out for recycled wrapping paper instead.

3.        The Holly Bears The Crown: Buy a fairtrade or handmade wreath. If you’re feeling adventurous, why not try making it yourself? Get berries and greenery in your garden or buy from local florists. Make your own tree decorations by painting fir cones or baking edible shortbread to hang up. If you have children, eveyone loves a handmade present. You can’t go wrong with a coloured in mug, calender, picture etc.

4.        Ethical Gifts: We all know a lot of the joy of Christmas comes from giving and receiving gifts, particaurly when there are kids involved. Shop ethically and sustainably for your presenst this year and feel that extra glow of pride from having spent your money wisely. Try Our Green Shop for all your green and ethical gifts this year. If you’re buying for someone who has everything already, why not get a ‘virtual present’ charitable donation?

5.        Lights on: Use solar powered lights to light up your tree and house. If you place your tree near a window, you can have the solar panel outside, and run the cable inside (through a closed window, I’ve tried!) providing power to your gorgeous looking solar powered fairy lights twinkling on your tree. Any wannabe Blackpool illuminations on the outside of your house can also be solar powered. Saving your money and the planet, although unfortunatly not your street cred.

6.        Lights off: When you’re not in the office over the festive season, make sure you turn all computers, printers, scanners, lights etc. off and turn the thermostat down.

7.        Go foraging: See what free food nature has to offer. Chesnuts, hawthorn berries, apples and figs are all available in December. You can make your own jam or chutney or even your own Christmas pudding!

8.        Recycling: Packing, bottles, Grandmothers, you name it, it can probably be recycled. Remember to compost your food waste too.

9.        Love Your Food: Buy free range turkeys or chickens and locally sourced products, maybe even whip up a homemade foraged christmas pudding (detailed above).

10.     Good Energy: 15 million batteries are sold worldwide every year and 98% of them end up in landfill. Don’t add to those statistics and instead stock up with rechargable batteries. New technology means batteries can be recharged in as little as 15 minutes so it’s not the pain it used to be. Your kids will thank you when you have an inexhustable supply of enegy. Or you could even ditch the electric and go for wind up toys!

11.     Say it with candles and bubble bath: Once you’ve put the kids to bed, how about turning the lights off and lighting a few soy candles instead? Even better, why not try out that new bubble bath with your partner and indludge in some proper relaxation time. Saving energy, money and your relationship.

12.     Put it on, turn it down: Wear your new jumper, socks and hat that you’ve just been given, thereby making gran/mum/girlfriend very happy, and enabling you to turn your heating down one degree and yet still have that glowing feeling inside. Everyone wins!