The holidays are here, and that means a time of giving. Everywhere in the world, people feel the spirit of Christmas, and often go out of their way to be nice to everyone around them. However, the holidays are also a time of excess. So much is wasted during the Christmas season, and our environment suffers for it. Here are some ways that you can be sustainable this Christmas:

1. Purchase recyclable wrapping paper

Most people do not know this, but traditional Christmas wrapping paper is not biodegradable, nor is it recyclable. Thousands of tons of wrapping paper end up in landfills every year, and they are extremely damaging to the environment. Instead of using traditional wrapping paper, why not use simple brown paper. It may not look as pretty, but the world will thank you for it in the long run.

You can purchase brown wrapping paper from Amazon here.

2. Use A Real Christmas Tree Instead Of An Artificial One

This seems like a real misnomer, but it actually isn't. The fact is that synthetic Christmas trees are much more harmful to the environment than real Christmas trees. The reason is the process to make synthetic Christmas trees are made of PVC plastic and are sprayed with fire-retardant, which is extremely bad for the air we breathe. Real trees have been allowed to grow and contribute in a natural way before they are used in our homes, and are regulated sustainably. And if you really want to be sustainable, instead of just throwing out your old tree, you can utilize it again. Let it dry out and cure, and use it for firewood. Or use it for woodworking. There are boundless options for real Christmas trees.

Check with your local National Forest ranger district on how to obtain a Christmas tree. You can also purchase a small live Christmas tree from Amazon here.

3. Limit Food Waste

Millions of tons of food are wasted every year during the Christmas season. Perfectly good food is thrown away when it could be used elsewhere. Though it can be disappointing to have too little food for your family over the holiday meals, it's much better to plan ahead. And if you do have food waste, don't throw it out. It may seem easier to do so, but there are much better ways to use that food. You can refrigerate it, and eat for lunches at school or work. You can also take your leftover food to a local food bank if they take leftover food. Either way, do your best to not contribute to a growing food waste problem in America.

4. Spend Money on Experiences, Not Gifts

We always hear the Christmas gift moniker, "It's the thought that counts." While that is true, those unwanted gifts have to go somewhere. Most of the time, they sit in our homes for years and years until they end up in a landfill somewhere. The fact of the matter is that most of us don't need more stuff.

We have most of what we need. I've recently gotten into the habit of only asking for gifts if there's an item that I really need or want, ie. I will actually use. If that isn't the case, I will usually ask for money. But there's a better way to spend your money on your family rather than gifts: experiences.

Studies frequently show that people are more likely to remember experiences than they are to remember gifts. I remember one year when I was eight years old, instead of gifts, my family chose to travel to New Zealand to visit my grandparents. We only received very small gifts, but even at that young age, I still appreciated the trip more than the gifts. That visit to New Zealand is still one of the most memorable things in my life, even almost twenty years later.

Even better, give gifts to someone else in need. Several friends of mine have done that as a family. Instead of giving gifts to family, they gave gifts to those in need. The experience of giving is far better than receiving, especially to those less fortunate.

5. Buy Local Foods

Some of the best experiences of the holidays revolve around food. We have already addressed how to limit food waste, but where should you get your food in the first place? Local is always better. Supporting local farms can provide much-needed support to an increasingly shrinking family farm network. Purchase your turkeys and vegetables from a locally grown source, and better your community while you do it.