Decorating your Christmas tree can be a fun family activity.

Using green decorations makes it not only fun, but safe for the environment too.

Decorate your Christmas tree the green way

There are many ways you can go green when adorning your Christmas fir. Here’s how you can keep down the cost, and the amount of waste, when decorating your tree:

• Reuse the same decorations each year to reduce waste - and to embrace tradition. Avoid plastic decorations as these are less durable, and contain toxic substances that can harm human and environmental health.
• Alternatively, natural decorations are even better for the environment, and will decompose once you’ve finished with them. Pine cones, nuts, cranberries and holly berries take no effort - simply collect them and place them on your tree. If you replant the tree outside once Christmas is over, birds and other wildlife will be able to eat these treats - see Recycling Christmas Trees for more information.
• For a little more effort, you can string popcorn along the tree, or dry slices of fruit in a low-heated oven and use these to decorate your Christmas tree. Gingerbread men will add character - and provide a tasty treat when you take the tree down! Read Dreaming of a Green Christmas for more ideas.
• If you know how to knit, you may want to knit your own Christmas tree decorations. Visit http://www.allaboutyou.com/craft/Knit-a-Christmas-tree-decoration/v1 for ideas.
• If you don’t fancy the idea of decorating the tree with your own creations, why not visit Ecotopia’s Eco Shop for some that are environmentally friendly.
• When decorating your tree with fairy lights, consider using low power LED lights as they consume much less electricity than incandescent ones, and last longer.
• You may want to save energy by placing a decoration that does not light up, such as an angel, on the top of your tree.