Christmas is a hectic time of year for us and we may not think about how our actions impact the world around us. Americans throw away 25% more trash during the holiday season. Think about how much trash and energy you use during the Christmas season.

The problem is much deeper than just the trash we produce. It's the energy, food, money, and tons of other valuable resources we waste during the holidays. This time of year is no excuse to be wasteful and harmful to the planet. It's important to keep the earth in mind during ALL times of the year.

1. Don't go overboard with presents this year

Buying less is more. Think of all the trash that comes with presents. Give experiences as gifts this year, like concert tickets or a vacation to reduce the amount of waste you produce this Christmas season.

2. Buy local gifts

Shopping small is better for our environment because it cuts out the harmful impacts of transporting the items from all around the world. Buying local is a good way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and ultimately help reduce your own impact on global warming. By buying locally you are directly benefiting your own local economy!

3. Turn your Christmas lights off when you go to bed.

Leaving the lights on at night wastes a lot more energy than you may realize. This is one of the easiest ways to save energy this time of year.

4. Use LED Christmas lights

LED lights use about 95% less energy than the typical large Christmas lights.You can't beat that! They are also less troublesome when a bulb goes out.

5. Get a LIVE tree!

You can keep your Christmas tree potted and use it for 2-3 years. When your tree is too big for your home, you can plant it outdoors. These trees do great things for the air we breath. Artificial trees may last forever, but they are made of plastics and require shipping. Real trees are all around the best option for having a green Christmas.

6. Wrap fewer presents

In the US alone, the trash from gift wrap and bags equals over 4 million tons annually. That statistic is alarming and WE are the problem. Reducing your gift wrapping by just a few presents can help significantly.

7. Use eco-friendly wrapping paper

Using wrapping paper made of fibers such as hemp or any recycled content is the way to go. The shiny metallic wrapping paper is hard to recycle and hard to reuse.

8. RECYCLE

This one is easy! Recycle your trees, gift wrap, gift bags, ribbons, bows, cards, and anything else you may think of. Recycle all you can this Christmas because it does make a difference!

9. Re-Gift

No one wants to do this, but it's okay! Almost 60% of Americans receive unwanted gifts. If something doesn't fit or you received two of the same gift, don't be afraid to regift it. It's better to give it to someone else than to get no use out of the gift at all!

10. Don't use paper products for Christmas Dinner

It may seem easier to use paper products for Christmas dinner, but that makes for a lot of unneeded trash. Many families have the same idea that this method is the easier and better choice. Think of all the trash that is produced just from one dinner using all paper products, let alone multiple dinners doing the same. Washing dishes is no fun, but splitting the task between family members will make it less of a task and it's worth a little bit of extra work.

11. Donate

This is the best time of year to donate old stuff before the new stuff comes in. This is a sustainable act on your part and you're helping someone in need this Christmas season. Unwanted coats and possible gifts are always in high demand this time of year.

12. Compost

We all know how much cooking goes on this time of year. Take all your food peelings and make a compost pile with it!

13. Use reusable shopping bags

We do an extreme amount of shopping this time of year. Take your own reusable shopping bags with you so you aren't forced to use plastic bags that end up in the landfills.

The holiday season is one of the hardest times of the year for our planet earth. While we are thinking about ourselves we need to also consider what our actions do to the world around us. Being conscious of the consequences your actions have on our earth is the best thing you can do this time of year. The statistics on waste during the holidays are unbelievable. I encourage everyone to read these facts and then think before you throw something away or flip on a switch this year. Don't forget to be kind to the planet in the middle of being kind to others.