Believe it or not folks, Christmas is just around the corner again. While the festive season may result in the stretching of the waistband on your pants, it's important to ensure that your environmental footprint is not also subjected to the same seasonal influx. So what can you do to reduce your waste and maintain and green lifestyle at this merry time?

Christmas Cards.

Usually the first task people undertake coming into the Christmas period is the writing and sending of Christmas cards. Planet Ark, the leaders in greeting card recycling and recycling programs, reported that in 2007 over 100 million Christmas cards were posted within Australia alone, roughly equating to just under 20,000 trees being felled to produce the cards.

Thankfully, there are quite a few options when it comes to sending Christmas wishes this year.

Ask yourself a couple of 'pre-sending' question. Do you need to send an actual card? Is the recipient someone who would want to receive a card? Whilst this does sound slightly humbug-esque and [possibly difficult due to strong feelings of obligation, if you are going to see the card recipient before, on, or during the Christmas period, how about substituting sending a card with a warming hug, handshake or cup of coffee and verbally express your good will to them. The personal touch to it all could make the world of a difference.

Of course the other side of that gold foil covered, chocolate filled coin is the simple task of telling people that you are not expecting a card also. They may be also feeling the obligation to send you a card and may be just as appreciative to learn that you are just as willing to receive a handshake or hug.

If the physical approach is not your scene, consider sending a 'e-card'. E-cards are basically electronic Christmas cards and are incredibly simple to use, fun to create and usually free of charge. In addition there is an absolute treasure trove of organisations, companies and quirky sites that offer not just Christmas e-cards but other seasonal and celebratory e-cards also. A Google search is sure to bring up a provider that will suit.

For those where only a card will do the trick, there are thankfully quite a few sustainable options to choose from. Cards made from or containing recycled materials are now pretty easy to find. However it is 100% post consumer recycled cards which are printed with vegetable ink with a 100% post consumer envelope that are by far the most eco-friendly choice when it comes to purchasing cards. With trumpet to mouth, aToMik Green's range can be found here . Alternatively, purchase the cards from community organisations like Oxfam or World Vision, or from your preferred charities.

Once Christmas is done and dusted, what do you do with all your cards? The obvious and perhaps easiest option is put them into the recycle bin. Whilst this certainly isn't the worst option, there are thankfully ways you to ensure your used cards are destined for a sustainably acceptable future. Planet Ark run a recycling program called Cards 4 Planet Ark every Christmas from Boxing Day until the end of January. Simply head to a participating Australia Post outlet and pick up a free reply paid colourful envelope. The envelope holds up to 60 cards and all returned cards are eventually turned into 'SAFE' paper products like toilet paper. It's a fantastic scheme and certainly worth the small effort required.

The Tree.

For some people the tree is perhaps one of the most traditional and symbolic Christmas 'accessories' of the season, seemingly especially for European cultures. The smell of the traditional pine tree does certainly invoke a strong association with the season, working hand in hand with images of snow weighing down pine tree limbs to ensure the Christmas spirit is not dulled. However with the rising green conscientiousness comes the concern on whether live tress, plastic trees or substitute native trees are the better, environmentally friendly option.

Live trees are farmed on tree farms, not randomly cut down from native bushland, just to quell any fears. As with any tree, they do require energy and natural resources to assist with the maturation of the tree, which some people rightly or wrongly dislike, raising the question of if Australia can really afford to be using these resources on a item which will inevitably end up on the nature strip three or four weeks after being cut down. There is also the belief that tree farms, with their continual churning over of trees, ensures that the CO2 to O2 cycle continues without the need to damage native bushland. In fact there is a 'environmental mentality ' (for lack of a better term) that use the phrase “Save The Planet, Kill A Tree” who vocally promote the use of living trees at Christmas. (The theory behind this slogan is based on the fact that trees absorb C02 during their life. The C02 full trees are felled and turned into homes and furniture (among other things). As long as the wood still remains in a 'wood state (ie not pulped) it will still contain the absorbed C02's, acting as a quasi C02 bank. As trees that are used for housing etc are usually plantation trees, the trees are replaced and, during their growth absorb and store more C02 before being felled and adding to the 'C02 bank'. The continual felling of trees results in an endless cycle of trees continuing the mass absorption of C02 where as before only one tree could absorb up to it's limit.). Frustratingly at the time of writing there were no 'offical' sites covering this theory in more depth, however a Google search will provide you with some interesting blogs. More details will be put here when/if they are found. At the end of the day, if you are thinking of purchasing a live tree, consider getting the tree potted so you can use the tree over and over. Be aware, however, that the tree will need pruning and maintaining during the off season.

The technology behind plastic trees has blossomed (mind the pun) quite quickly over the past decade. They are no longer only simple trunk and branch monstrosities. Today's trees now come with fur lined trunks, authentic looking foliage and frosted branch tips to give that light snow impression, which is handy in Australia. They are designed to last for many, many years (usually around ten), do not need additional resources to maintain and offer a simpler solution to driving around finding the perfect live tree.

With all these benefits it would be hard to imagine that this option would not immediately become the most preferable. It is perhaps the plastic tree's only con that is it's downfall. Being made of plastic, the tree's come up against the green consumer's now well instilled aversion to anything made from plastic. Plastic trees are usually made from non recyclable plastics, thus once they have reached their end the owner usually has no choice but to send them to landfill. At the time of writing, no trees were available that could be recycled at their end. It's almost a case of damned if you do, and damned if you don't. While you get the ease and re-usability of a plastic tree, knowing that each year it gets closer to adding to landfill can play on the minds of the green conscientious. And just to make things a little more complex, the trees are not made in Australia, meaning there is hidden transportation energy component to factor. 

Perhaps the best solution is to consider using an Australian native plant as a substitute to a pine or plastic tree. A fresh eucalyptus scent could quite easily replace the pine smell of a live tree. In addition, once Christmas is over, the tree can be kept in a pot, ready for next year or planted as a growing reminder of the festive season. Being a native plant, it should be certainly more drought tolerant thus will not require anywhere near the same level of resources a living pine will require. Ask you local native plant nursery as to the best options for a native Christmas tree. You may well be pleasantly surprised by the options.

Decorations

Most commercially produced decorations could almost pass as being 'green enough' as they tend to be stored and re-used year after year. There have been some comments around the aToMik Green office that Christmas' at the Grandparents were always a memory trip back to the Christmas decorations of your childhood, as that old Styrofoam dancing Santa that was so red and regal how many years ago is now a near naked, balding, mirror image of your Grandfather.

However, there are some 'greener' alternatives. Hark back to your primary school days and remember what you created in art class and what materials you created it with. It was everything from old magazines to paddle pop sticks to macaroni. Materials that you can use to make Christmas decorations are only limited by your imagination (as well as providing a great way to utilise the energy of overly excited children.) Cut out the pictures on the front covers of old Christmas cards to use as tree decorations. Try using fruit wrapped in wrapping paper off cuts as a bauble replacement.

Some decorations, however, go further than what you can make out of Corn Flake boxes. Tree lights and external house lighting alone could create a sizable increase to your environmental footprint, especially if the lights are left on for excessive periods. If you are thinking about purchasing new lights, consider buying LED lights. LED's use considerably less energy that standard globes and will last up to 50,000 hours, compared to a couple of thousand at best with the older style globes. It is relatively easy to find LED Christmas lights these days also. To completely save on energy use, small solar panels are now being added as an alternative to plugging the lights into the wall. While this option isn't quite at an easily achievable stage, aToMik Green have been recently testing a few samples and hope to have settled on a a set of solar powered LED Christmas lights soon.

Once you have your lights all set up, ensure that you have installed a Digital Power Timer. Because we can, here is aToMik Green's Digital Power Timer. These timers can be set to regulate the hours that the lights are switched on, say from 6pm to 10pm. They can also be set to different times on different days and are a fantastically cheap way of ensuring that the lights are not drawing power when they are not supposed to be.

Gifts and Wrapping

Short of wondering whether to invite drunk uncle Bob to the Christmas dinner, perhaps the most stressful part of Christmas is the gift purchasing. Many an hour is spent aimlessly wandering the aisles trying to find that perfect gift, all while living in dread that it will be your gift that is shamelessly tossed aside into landfill. Thankfully, there are a few ways you can ensure your gift purchasing and wrapping doesn't increase your environmental footprint.

Before you head out the door to do your shopping, remember to take your green shopping bags or used plastic bags with you. The simple removal of new plastic bags from your shopping will greatly lower you environmental impact not only during the Christmas period, but everyday life. Check out aToMik Green's range of organic bags and bamboo fibre bags. If you forget your own bags, when making a purchase ask if cardboard boxes are available instead, or simply refuse a bag outright. Alternatively look at purchasing re-usable gift bags. The beauty of these bags is not only can the bags be re-used, but they offer a great alternative to wrapping the gift, saving you wrapping paper.

Whilst there is still some debate on what is the more energy efficient method, buying gifts online is a great way to avoid the driving, parking and physical strain of actually going to a shopping centre to do your Christmas shopping. The gifts are delivered straight to your door and, if you purchase from environmentally aware businesses, your parcel could arrive in re-usable or recyclable packaging. If you do still decide to drive to the shopping centre don't bother trying to find a car park near the doorway. You'll only waste time and fuel driving around like everyone else looking for that perfect carpark, Go to the outer parks and save both time and the carbon emissions.

When it comes to gifts, the last thing we want is our gift to be unwanted and to eventually end up in landfill. Think about buying gifts that will help the recipient live sustainably. Seedlings, native plants, vegetable seeds or organic products are a great start. Alternatively, instead of buying a product that the recipient may not like, investigate giving them an experience. RedBalloon Days have some great experiences and gift ideas which can be searched according to budget, gender and occasion. Alternatively, consider purchasing something for them that they would usually buy themselves, such as a football or car club membership or an addition to their hobby.

If you still want to purchase a physical product, try and mindful of how much packaging it comes in and if that packaging can be reused or recycled. If the product is excessively package,  try and look for an alternative, less wasteful product. If possible, also look for gifts that will not have an impact on the environment during use or after use. Avoid products that will consume large quantities of batteries, accessories or have a single life use. It is probable these sorts of gifts will go straight to land fill after use.

Now that you have your gifts, it is time to wrap them. Or is it? Ask yourself if every gift needs to be wrapped. Some gifts may need to if they’re going to be sitting under a tree before being received, or you’re planning a surprise opening. Another 'to wrap or not to wrap' factor can be if the gift is for a child or an adult. If it is for a child, consider hiding the gift somewhere and replacing the glee of unwrapping the gift with the thrill of a short treasure hunt. For an adult, consider if they are someone who wants their gift wrapped or would be just as happy with a big bow (made from an old magazine of course) or similar on the gift itself.

Much like the Christmas cards, you may get quite a positive response if you let other know that you will not mind if your gifts are not wrapped or wrapped in an alternate manner. You may even start a trend amongst your gift giving family and friends.

Wrapping gifts in old newspaper is fast becoming a trendy way of wrapping gifts, especially if the paper used is somehow affiliated with the receiver, like a sports person's gift could be wrapped in the sport section or a business person could have the business section. The possibilities with that are endless. If you still want to wrap the gifts in Christmas paper, thankfully, like the cards, there are some greener options. Use paper that is 100% post consumer recycled paper, preferably printed with vegetable inks. aToMik Green's Christmas Wrap range has a variety of designs and patterns to suit all tastes. Alternatively purchase the wrapping paper from community organisations like Oxfam or World Vision or from your local charity.

Other wrapping alternatives could be using old calender pages, using re-usable gift bags (This should only be for adult gifts, as kids will tend to peek inside) or even old A4 sized envelopes craftily cut and stuck together and covered with children's drawings for doting grandparents. Finally, consider using a wrap that the receiver can use again such as towels, pillow cases or large pieces of material.

Where possible, try and avoid using sticky tape to hold your wrapping together in preference to string or ribbon. Not only can both string and ribbon be re-used, but will also add an attractive difference to the packaging to your gifts. Also, having wrap covered in sticky tape means the wrap tends to be torn off the gift during the throws of the unwrapping process, resulting in the wrap being unusable again.

When it comes to gift tags, the possibilities are really only bound by your imagination. Perhaps the easiest way to make your own is by cutting out the pictures on the covers off old Christmas cards. Another option is to cut out the letters of the recipient's name out of old newspapers or magazines and stick them to the gift.

Food

The food you chose to provide on the day can have quite an impact on your environmental footprint if the wrong decisions are made. Everything from where you source your food and drink to what type of food and drink you buy all adds up. If you are not careful you could actually end up blowing your foot size completely out of the water.

Try and source locally grown, produced and manufactured fruit, vegetable and meat. Not only will you be helping out local businesses, but the reduced transportation time between suppliers and supermarkets helps keep carbon emissions down. In addition, if purchasing sea food, avoid deep sea fish or fish that have low 'stock' level. A great resource to check which fish you should avoid can be found at the Australian Marine Conservation Society website. It is also a great site for learning about the effects of over fishing and what purchasing the wrong fish can result in.

Like with gifts, avoid food that is over packaged. Perhaps try and go one step better and avoid packaging completely. Whether your fruit and veg is packaged or not has no effect on the quality of the product itself. In fact, if you purchase you fruit and veg loose from a local farmer's market or green grocer, you may be completely surprised as to how much better the taste and quality is. 

Bare in mind how much food you need to purchase for the day also. Buying excessively is a not only a waste of food and energy, but can be quite painful on the hip pocket. Consider carefully planning out your meals to accurately calculate your quantities before you hit the shops.

Of course, once you have finished peeling and cutting your fruit and veg, remember to put your scraps into the compost bin.

On The Day

With the big day finally arriving, it's important not to let all the good work you have done in maintaining a low environmental impact crash and burn like the roast potatoes. This task can vary in difficulty depending on the day's location (house or in a park) and your readiness for what the day brings.

Perhaps the biggest problem you may face is encouraging those who are not 'green minded' to assist you in upholding an environmental conscience during the day. It is almost inevitable that someone will put some paper or a bottle in the rubbish bin. That's just humans for you. Knowing this, try and make it is easy as possible to encourage people to do the right thing. This can be done by putting up signs near bins or collection points informing people what goes where. Perhaps enlist the assistance of more environmentally conscious in your party to assist those who are 'recyclability challenged'. To make things even clearer for someone looking for a bin to dispose of an item, The Planet Earth Cleaning Company have produce multi coloured bins that take any question out of what item should go into what bin by simply associating what the rubbish is with what colour the bin is. It's quite clever.

Of course, it's all fine and dandy having different coloured bins set out and a small army of people to police who puts what into where.  Remember, however, that what goes into those bins is probably dependent on what you provide in the first place. If you provide disposable knives, forks, plates and cups you will find most of them will end up as rubbish, regardless of whether they can be recycled or not. If feasible, perhaps provide foods that don't need plates or cutlery. Being Christmas this will be tricky to do, but none the less, consider it when making your purchases. Disposable cup ware is a little easier to work around as most drinks can come in a ready to drink, recyclable container, ie cans, bottles or 'Prima' packs. Providing these as an alternative can reduce your land fill levels.

As much as it would be great to avoid, having plates and cutlery supplied is sometimes a necessity. There are basically three choices you can make here. First is to stick with the usual disposable alternatives. They're generally cheap, readily found, come in seasonal colours but are horribly wasteful. If you can, avoid these products. Secondly is to try your luck on a recyclable 'disposable' range. Some supermarket chains used to sell plates and cutlery made from cornstarch to assist in a quicker decomposition, however recent fact finding reconnaissance trips to aToMik Green's local supermarkets have proven fruitless in finding them again.Having said that, try your local supermarkets because you just never know your luck. 

The third and by far the most environmental options is purchasing plates and cutlery that can be re-used. Not only will they not end in the rubbish after one use but they can be reused for any future occasions again and again. aToMik Green have a fantastic range of re-usable plates, bowls and cutlery. Another option is to head to your local camping shop and stock up on solid plastic camping plates and cup ware. Investigate their range of cutlery while there also, you may find something to suit.

If indoors for the day, try to keep an eye on energy use through-out the day. If it is a typical scorching hot Australian summer day, keep a watchful eye on others leaving doors and windows open, especially if you have air conditioning (or heating if in Melbourne) operating. Utilise ceiling fans if available to disperse the air. Lighting is also a major energy consumer, so keep an eye out for any unnecessary lighting and turn it off. 

Relax

Finally, through all the stress and thought required on the day, remember to enjoy yourself. Pop the cap off your glass bottle of beer or champagne, grab a handful of organically grown, local produced delicious grapes, admire your children's home made decorations next to your LED lights while peeking at your newspaper wrapped presents.

The personal touch you have created will make it all worthwhile, for both you and the environment.