FOR many, it’s the most wonderful time of the year! Yes! The holiday season is here, filling the air with the usual anticipation and excitement! The streets throng with shoppers eagerly cashing in on deals on decorations, furniture, appliances, toys and clothing. Houses, offices and stores are all decked out, adding to the festive atmosphere. As you go about enjoying the season’s festivities, be mindful of the Earth and think of what steps you can take to reduce your impact on it for this season and others to come. Here are a few ideas to help you to do right by the Earth for this holiday season:Decorations
Buy durable: When you buy new furniture or appliances, think about its durability. You may think you can only afford a cheap sofa, but if you replace it in a few years, you lose in two ways: first, by buying twice (therefore spending more money), and second, by creating more waste since the discarded item would be discarded and end up in a waste disposal site or landfill. A good-quality piece, although a bit more expensive, is usually a better bargain in the long run, both for you and the environment.
Buy only what you need: When you buy a lot of stuff you don’t need –this adds to clutter. Develop a habit of asking yourself three little questions:
o Do I really need this?
o Do I have something at home I could use instead?
o How will I dispose of it when its useful life is over?”
This simple habit could go a long way towards making you more environmentally friendly and thrifty. It can also help you to simplify your life and home
Be creative: Use natural material such as wood to make decorations. Additionally, you can make decorations out of newspaper, old magazine and used paper and cloth to reduce waste.

Eco-friendly gifts
Be creative in choosing gifts: It is better to purchase gifts that are long-lasting or that can be reused. If an item has several layers of paper and plastic packaging, try to find a similar product that leaves less waste.
Nothing is wrong with ‘re-gifting’: It is almost inevitable to receive a gift that you do not like/need. Therefore, it makes perfect sense to give that item to someone who is really in need of it.
Reuse magazines/calendars/newspapers: Over the holidays, wrap your presents in magazines/newspaper (comics, travel and holiday sections are colourful, but the regular news section can look nice too) and tie with recycled string; or make cloth bags the recipient can reuse for shopping or their own gifts.

Food
• Buy in bulk: It is better to buy items in one large package than to buy items in many small containers. It produces less waste and is more economical.
• Plan meals wisely: Do not overindulge. If there are leftovers, place them in plastic containers or bags and send them home with guests or save them for later.
• Compost: Where possible, compost leftover food scraps from holiday dinners and parties. Remember compost fruit and vegetable wastes only, not meat or grease.

Clothing
Manufacturing clothing uses a lot of resources from our environment –an enormous quantity of water is used up to grow/make and colour material to make clothing – so think before you buy new clothing. Practice the skill of mixing the clothing you already have in different ways to reduce the amount of new clothing you buy. Purchase good quality clothing when you can – even though they are a little more expensive, you will spend less in the long-term.

Sources:
http://www.styleathome.com/decorating-and-design/green-living/25-environmentally-friendly-decorating-ideas/a/38713
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/Culture/Lifestyle/2013/Oct-24/235546-green-is-the-new-black-with-eco-friendly-clothes.ashx#axzz2nBdoLXzQ
You can share your ideas and questions by sending letters to: “Our Earth, Our Environment”, C/O EIT Division, Environmental Protection Agency, Ganges Street, Sophia, GEORGETOWN or email us at eit.epaguyana@gmail.com.