When I hear the word Christmas I always think of excess – excess amounts of food, presents, exhaustion and fun. The last excess is the worst … WASTE! There is so much wasted food, wrapping and packaging materials. But I am here to tell you a few easy and fun ways to recycle or reuse some of these things we would normally throw in the bin!

Tip #1: Wrapping paper!

This is probably the biggest of them all. Every Christmas we fill garbage bags full of paper after all of the presents are opened. But rather than throwing them in the recycle bin why not try these fun ways of reusing them!

- Save some for next year and make Christmas cards and tags with the kids!

- Send it to your childs daycare centre or school for art projects

- Use it during the year to fill empty spaces in mailing boxes. It look nicer than newspaper!

- Fill pillowcases with balls of scrunched wrapping paper for the kids to have fun pillow fights!

Tip #2: Wrapping paper rolls

- Keep them for next year and make your own bonbons using your left over wrapping paper as well. Buy some of the cracker snaps from a craft supplies store and make your own fun bonbons. Try including a funny story about a member of the table to be read aloud rather than jokes – “remember when …”

- Send them to your local school or daycare for crafts

- Use them for your own art projects with the kids – make suncatchers using cellophane, tap and scissors. Cut the rolls into 3 inch pieces and cut fun shapes in the sides of the roll pieces. Cut a piece of cellophane a little larger than the hole  you cut and slide it inside to cover the hole. Secure it with tape or glue. Strind 4-5 on a coat hanger and you have a fun suncatcher and an awesome school holiday art project!

Tip #3: Platters, Trays, Plastic Plates and Plastic Cutlery

When having a large number of people we all tend to go the plastic route! Easy to dispose of and cheap! But these products are really bad for the environment. If you choose to dispose of them make sure they go in the recycling bin or here are some other options.

- Send them to your local school or daycare for art projects

- Keep them and use them for future parties, picnics etc. Most “disposable” products are built to last a few uses, so use them until they give up!

- Use plates and bowls for paint trays or any other craft uses.

- Most platters from your local supermarket or deli are very durable. So reuse them to make your own platters for large gatherings or use them under plant pots!

The biggest tip on recycling is use your local freecycle www.freecycle.org list any unwanted items including your left over wrapping paper, rolls, plastic wear and packaging materials from toys. Someone may have a use for them!

Giving is the message of Christmas, so give back to the environment and reduce, reuse, recycle or freecycle!

Jen xx