We know it's Christmas time and fun and frolic surrounds the air, but along with it we must remember to be responsible citizens as well and try to have a sustainable Christmas in the best possible way. Following this year's COP26, we are all aware of just how important it is to make every effort we can to be more sustainable – and for many of us that starts at home. Small changes can make all the difference in reducing our environmental footprint, especially over Christmas, when the potential for waste, over consumption and mass shopping is high.         With this in mind, here are the simple ways to host an eco-friendly Christmas – from sending plantable Christmas cards to renting your Christmas tree, and sourcing a sustainable Christmas lunch. Make a new family tradition this year to go green.

1. Avoid using a plastic Christmas tree
        At all costs, avoid purchasing a plastic Christmas tree. Opt for a much superior sustainable alternative instead. Additionally, you can buy a tree in a container and reuse it the following season. A potted tree is a wonderful way to preserve the environment and also makes a thoughtful garden present. You may even rent a Christmas tree in some places, take care of it throughout the festive season and then give it back to be planted and used again the following year.

2. Try to minimise the wastage of food during christmas and new year celebration
        Each Christmas, an estimated 74 million mince pies, 2 million turkeys, and 5 million puddings are wasted. This follows a pattern in which one-third of the food produced each year is wasted. We must consider food waste when designing a food system that can feed our expanding population while lowering greenhouse gas emissions and safeguarding natural resources.
      Let's minimise food waste at home this holiday season and make the most of our leftovers. To minimise food waste, the first thing we can do is cook as much as we require by counting the number of guests that are estimated to be present. If there is any leftover food, we can give it to somebody in need instead of just throwing it away and wasting it

3. Wrap the gift with recycled paper or fabric
            More than half of us re-use last year's wrapping paper, according to Rubbish Clearance Specuali Any Junk. What many of us don't realise though is that many rolls contain non-recyclable elements like foil, glitter or plastic.
           If you want to know if your wrapping paper can be recycled or not, use the scrunch test. Scrunch up the paper in your hands and then let it go. If the paper stays scrunched up then it can be recycled but, if it unfolds by its own accord, then it likely contains non-recyclable elements.

4. Donate gifts and clothes             We all must have a lot of things at home that we do not use, some of them might be new, others old but all of them are stacked up in a corner of our house. Instead of wasting all those things, you can donate them to someone who really needs them. So while you are receiving new gifts this year, go through your closet and wardrobe to sort out the unwanted things, outdated clothes, and other items you won't use, and give them to nearby organisations. Your unused coat can be useful to a homeless person during this chilly winter.
5. Remember the true meaning of christmas and new year celebration             Ask yourself what's truly important at Christmas. Is it the gifts, excess food, decorations and sparkly clothes? Or is it spending time with loved ones, reflecting on the year passed and the year ahead and being grateful for what you have?