Oh Christmas Tree!

As has become our custom, we recently picked up a little conifer tree in a pot from Crafty Green Boyfriend's mother's garden which will be this year's Christmas tree

As ever it's decorated with an eclectic mix of odd earrings, old necklaces, a couple of paper decorations from a Cat Protection charity and a couple of actual Christmas decorations which I've had for years. Once Christmas is over the tree will return to the garden and we may well welcome the same tree back into the flat again next Christmas!

We've also added some festive conifer cones and a beaded star to the pot pourri

We try to be as envionmentally friendly at Christmas as possible.

I've read in several places recently that many types of Christmas wrapping paper can't be recycled but most articles don't seem to mention that this doesn't stop you re-using the paper in imaginative ways, even small pieces can be reused. Here are some examples of how I've reused wrapping paper in previous years.

I'm trying to use less sticky tape (which is plastic and comes with all the problems we increasingly associate with plastic) but I am prone to wrapping disasters if I use raffia or ribbons without any sticky tape at all! I try to buy locally made gifts, second hand gifts, vouchers for gifts to charity (like a donation for protecting an acre of rainforest) or make my own gifts.

Edited to add: I just found this interesting article about minimalist gift giving. 

Do you have any tips for a greener Christmas? Feel free to share your ideas in the comments section!