Trees may be integral to Christmas, but unfortunately, this doesn't make it an eco-friendly holiday. Unnecessary purchases are rampant in the festive season, which leads to increased waste (which harms our planet immensely). But it doesn't have to be all doom and gloom -- you can still enjoy the festivities all while keeping a clear and most importantly green conscience! Here's how:

1. Shop local and/or craft your own gifts.

DIY-ing your own gifts is not only more environmentally friendly than contributing to the spiralling consumer economy, but it's also more special and personal. You can get a plethora of inspiration for creative upcycled gifts on Pinterest, or trawl some of our favourite blogs for hundreds of step-by-step guides on crafting your own gifts. If you're not particularly gifted in the DIY arena (nothing to be ashamed of - most of us aren't!), then you can always opt for buying something hand-crafted by someone else locally. By supporting a sustainable local economy, you'll be reducing your emissions and propping up your fellow community's livelihood. Christmas markets are fantastic for finding locally made gems, so make sure to check out your nearest one for beautiful gifts. 

2. Rent your Christmas tree and decorations. 

Reducing consumption is key to an eco-friendly Christmas, and we all know that no holiday is complete without a festive Christmas tree -- so what's the solution? Sure, you could go out and buy a faux tree -- but by buying (yes, even a fake tree) you'll simply be contributing to wastage. Plus, faux trees are expensive, as are Christmas decorations in general. So hire a Christmas tree online instead! It's as easy as 123... literally. At Rentuu.com, you can choose your decorations and tree, you select your delivery date and fill out a super quick form and voila -- your trinkets are delivered straight to you. 

3. Save energy and don't leave the lights on all night.

We all love all that glitters, especially around Christmas time. But whether you want to add more twinkle to your Christmas tree or your fireplace or even maybe your house's facade, make sure to choose energy-efficient lighting. After all, LED Christmas lights use 90% less energy than incandescent. Also, we know how tempting it is to have all those beautiful lights on all night but do strongly consider switching it all off before you go to sleep. Not only will you be helping the planet, but you'll be helping your wallet, too!