Wrap your gifts in fabric. You can use the fabric for another project when you’re done with it. Plus, these gifts make a neat touch to under the tree. Not to mention they’re cute and unique! An adult may appreciate it if you wrapped their gift using tea towels, as it’s like two gifts in one![3] X Research source Save regular gift bags, too. The normal paper bags you can get from any store can be reused as well. If you have a few in good condition, you can fold them up and save them for another gift. They store easily and don’t take up much space.

Rent a tree. You can rent an artificial tree in certain cities during the holiday season. Once you’re done with it, another family can rent it the next holiday season, and so on. Investigate renting a real tree. Some companies grow Christmas trees in fields through the year, put them roots-and-all into pots at Christmas time and allow customers to rent them over the festive season. When the tree is no longer needed, the companies collect it, and return it to the field to continue to grow only to be rented again next Christmas.

Shop local. This isn’t only supporting your local businesses; it lowers the CO2 emissions from transporting goods. If someone you know has an iPhone, buy them an app. If you know of an app they’ve been wanting, you can buy it for them. Or allow them to download it. Avoid shopping online. Think about how far your package has to come. Probably from around the world, depending on where you live. The packages create more waste, and there is too much packaging a lot of times. Add in the CO2 emissions from transport, and you have a pretty big carbon footprint just from ordering one package. Make your own gift. Chances are, the person who receives your gift will be tickled that you spent so much time on them. Buy tickets to a concert or play. This is a thoughtful gift with a small carbon footprint. They might cost a lot but can also be cheap.

Only taking what you can eat is another way to reduce waste. The production of lost or wasted food generates the same amount of waste as 32. 6 million cars’ CO2 emissions.

Only take what you can eat. Food waste is a big part of what goes in your trash can. Remember, you can always get more.