Have yourself a merry low-carbon Christmas!

Christmas is traditionally a time of excess – but that doesn’t mean your CO2 emissions have to go through the roof.

The environmental organisation 10:10 has come up with a Low-Carbon Christmas tip sheet packed with the ‘12 ways of Christmas’ to help you reduce your emissions over the festive season. See http://www.1010global.org/sites/all/modules/christmas_card_maker/img/1010ChristmasChecklist.pdf?utm_campaign=Countries%2Bwithout%2Bhubs%2B2010-12-16.

They also have some delightful Christmas e-cards! See http://www.1010global.org/card-maker.

The following suggestions for an eco-friendly Christmas come from a leaflet compiled by Dundrum Methodist Church’s eco group:

 Send e-cards instead of the traditional ones. Not only are they free, but also you don’t have to buy a stamp. Try one of these sites: http://www.dayspring.com/ www.hallmark.com www.duckmail-greetings.co.uk/ www.bluemountain.com www.123greetings.com

 If you have to use snail-mail, choose cards made from recycled paper, or make your own from last years cards.

 Recycle used cards – these can be converted into boxes or Christmas decorations www.familycrafts.about.com/

 Cut the pictures from old Christmas cards and use them as gift tags for presents.

 Use wrapping paper made from recycled paper. Unwrap your presents carefully and reuse the paper.

 When giving presents, wrap them using string or ribbon so that the paper can be opened without damaging it.

 Recycle your bottles and cans this Christmas.

 Instead of giving each other unwanted presents this year, how about giving a present to needy family overseas. Donate funds for an animal – see www.bothar.ie , or to provide shelter/relief for flood/famine victims go to www.christian-aid.ie or www.trocaire.ie

 Organise a collection in your office or persuade management to make a donation instead of giving corporate gifts or sending out cards.

If your family does not already have a compost bin, put that on your present list and start making compost for your garden with left over vegetables, grass cuttings etc.

 Consider supporting a charity when buying your Christmas tree.

 Recycle your tree after Christmas at the designated pick up. Alternatively purchase a tree in a pot that can be planted when it becomes too big for the pot.

 Many items require batteries. Consider buying rechargeable batteries that are much kinder to the environment than the regular ones. Give a battery charger as a gift.

 Buy well made, durable toys and gifts. Give toys that are no longer being played with to a local charity.

 Select cosmetics and toiletry gifts that use natural materials and are not tested on animals.

 Bring your own carrier bag when shopping. Don’t be afraid to decline a new bag in the shop if you don’t need it.

 Make a new year’s resolution that you and your family will recycle anything that can be recycled, re-use any thing that can be re-used and reduce anything that can be reduced!