Christmas does not have to be a drain on the environment. We can lessen the environmental effects of the holiday season with a little effort and inventiveness. Here are some suggestions for celebrating the season while still caring for the environment.

Purchase less.

Some holiday presents are practical and must be purchased new. Many presents, however, are genuine expressions of thoughtfulness. Giving more while spending less is possible.

Not all presents must be purchased from a store.

Giving personalized and one-of-a-kind presents allows you to offer more while paying less. While little children may prefer the bright, sparkly store-bought toy, most adults value anything that demonstrates caring. Tips for Sustainable Giving is a website with some fantastic ideas for meaningful holiday presents that aren't available on retail shelves.

Think 'green' when shopping.

Look for presents that are manufactured locally.

Many presents in today's market come from halfway around the world, and transportation has a huge influence on carbon emissions and global warming. Local craft fairs and artisan stores are excellent places to find presents that do not incur additional transportation charges. And because the artist and the provenance of the present are known, gifts manufactured locally frequently have a narrative to go with them.

Select presents created from recyclable materials.

Many people and small businesses have created wonderful things from repurposed materials. Supporting these enterprises helps to decrease waste while also promoting the idea of making the greatest use of available materials. Here are some samples to get you started: Recycled-materials gifts.

Reintroducing the notion of "re-gifting" - Re-gifting is acceptable.

There is always debate concerning the etiquette re-gifting,' or passing on a gift you received but do not need. What is the point of discussion? It makes great sense to regift. If you get a present that you do not require, consider regifting it by passing it on to someone who would benefit from it. Of course, re-gifting must be done with care so that the original giver is not offended, but retaining a gift you don't need is wasteful.

Nature conservation activities : New approach is better and more greener 

Planting a tiny tree jointly represents the importance of nature and helps to compensate for the 'taking' of the Christmas tree. An hour spent cleaning up or improving a natural environment also benefits the donor and recognizes nature as the source of our happiness.

Let us make this year's Christmas the most eco-friendly and sustainable ever by using eco-friendly Christmas decorations, trees, and gifts.  We are all aware of how critical it is to make every effort to be more sustainable - and for many of us, this begins at home. Small changes may make a big difference in lowering our environmental footprint, especially over the holidays!