Don't do this! (Source: http://arbroath.blogspot.com/2006_12_17_archive.html)

As December is nearly upon us there is now an incredible volume of Christmas decorations in the shops. It made me wonder just how much landfill is used up with old decorations each year and how much energy is used and pollution emitted in making these decorations! So I had some thoughts on how we can all make a difference with greener Christmas decorations this year (not to mention save a bit of money!):

• Choose the right kind of Christmas lights: LED lights use less energy than conventional ones. Or don’t use any at all…
• Use natural decorations such as fir cones, red berries or gourdes and paint them or use them ‘au natural’
• Use mistletow to hang over mirrors or pictures as well as for the more traditional purpose… I read in the newspaper this weekend that it’s been a bumper crop this year (click here for more info on that)
• Make chocolate or gingerbread decorations yourself at home and tie them onto the tree with pretty ribbons or even simple rustic string
• Take inspiration from the ancient Japanese craft Origami, see here for some ideas.
• Recycle – use last year’s decorations. This is obviously the easiest way to ‘green’ your Christmas tree and save money on those ridiculously expensive sparky reindeer. But why not go a bit further and customise old decorations? Perhaps even spay paint the most gaudy ones with with tasteful low-VOC gold or silver paint?
• Or, if all else fails but eco-friendly and fair trade decorations! Try Traidcraft or Ethical Superstore…

Gourdes... a more tasteful decoration