Recycle your wrapping paper

Save your wrapping paper to use again next year.

Why not make your own wrapping paper with your little one - this can be great fun. Make shapes with potatoes cut into stars, Christmas trees etc, dip them in paint and decorate paper that you already have lying around. You could make it extra special by covering it with glitter.

Christmas trees - real or artificial?

Real Christmas trees do not need to be bad for the environment. Choose trees that have been grown locally, rather than transported hundreds of miles. After the new year, plant your tree outside in the ground, or in a pot and you can bring it in again next year. Choose fairtrade or ethical decorations to hang on your tree - better still make your own!

Christmas Cards

Instead of posting Christmas cards, why not send ecards. There are plenty of websites which allow you to do this for free, meaning you can save money as well as a few trees! www.ecards.co.uk is a good site where you can send cards for free. Or, if you'd like to purchase charity ecards - you could try the Marie Curie website at www.ecards.mariecurie.org.uk

Make your own decorations - fun for all the family!

Try popcorn garlands - not only fun to do but yummy to eat too!

To make some simple foil decorations for the tree - take a piece of thread and 8 strips of kitchen foil. Fold the first strip in a ball around the bottom of the thread and then continue to fold each strip over the first ball, making the ball bigger and bigger. When you have finished cover the ball in white glue and fold tissue paper around it. Leave to dry. When it is totally dry, paint the ball in the colour/pattern of your choice, add glitter or sparkles and then hang on your tree!

Ethical Christmas Presents

If you're stuck for something to buy your loved ones, why not trywww.musthavegifts.org where you can buy some practical presents that will help the most vulnerable children and their families. Examples of gifts that you can buy are a meal for 70 children (£12) or lessons for 5 children (£20)

Have a fantastic time this Christmas and I wish you all a very Happy New Year!