Let's have a green sense even on Christmas.

This Christmas time, it is expected that the amount of trash people will throw will be up by 25 per cent. What should we do to lessen the impact of holiday waste to the environment?

It is easier said than done. We are all accustomed to generous and extravagant holiday gift wrapping. We want to make sure that the outside cover is equally impressive with the content inside. Stores rake in big profits selling paper wrappings, bags, boxes, ribbons, tissues, and tags – everything that comes in packaging the gift. And there will be extra wrappings if we are shipping the gift. It would include Styrofoam, plastics, and cartons that would definitely end up as trash.

So what do we have to do to minimize all the holiday garbage? Think recyclable. Here are some suggestions:

1. Instead of gift wraps, use gift bags. Bags can be reused. If you have a little extra, consider placing your gifts in totes. Totes can be added as part of the gift and can be used and reused over and over again.
2. Use baskets. Baskets are very in nowadays. They come in all shapes and sizes and prices. You can buy gift baskets from craft stores or at online auctions.
3. Use cloth. If you know how to sew you can package your gifts in a cloth. You can either buy or use fabrics from your old clothes or linens. Just sew them like a pillow case and according to the size of your gift. Tie it with a ribbon.
4. Use hand towels. Wrap your gifts in hand towels and you are sure that the wrapping will be put into good use.
5. Just leave it. Don’t use anything at all. If you are confident about your gift, you don’t have to wrap it. Just hand it over as it is. You can then say to the person that you are going green that’s why you omit the gift wrap.
6. Do your share. Keep all the recyclable gift wraps – papers, bags, boxes – and use them next year.