Ah, those warm, joyful -- and expensive -- December holidays!  It's a time when many people wonder, "Must we empty our pockets to fill our hearts with joy?" Resource Conservation Manitoba thinks not. Here are ten suggestions to reduce the ecological footprint of the year-end holiday season while keeping everything merry and bright.

1) Sustainable Gifts.  Hand-made gifts. Waste reducing gifts. Previously enjoyed gifts. Ethical gifts. Non-material gifts. This year, give something that doesn't cost the earth.  Check out our list of sustainable gift ideas on this site.

2) Holiday Meal.  According to the World Resources Institute, the average meal in North America travels an estimated 2400 km to reach your dinner plate. Why not create a holiday meal with foods that are produced closer to home!  Here is a list of local and organic suppliers in Manitoba.

3) Vacation Locally.  If travel is part of your holiday plans, consider vacationing within Manitoba and save both the environmental and financial costs of those extra kilometres.  For activity ideas, festival locations or to find the perfect bed and breakfast, check out Travel Manitoba.

4) Gift Wrap. Did you know that most wrapping paper can't be recycled in many communities?  That's because it is often blended with other materials such as wax, plastic and foil. When wrapping gifts, be creative! Draw on plain paper. Decorate paper bags with seasonal themes. Old holiday cards can be turned into gift tags. Baskets are perfect for small items. Use gift bags, scarves, tea towels or cloth napkins for gift wrap that can be re-used.

5) Decorations. Decorate with natural and edible items.  Try pine cones, berries, or branches, and fruit, candy or decorated cookies. Dress up your yard or indoor space with bows and ornaments made from recycled materials. If purchasing decorations, buy items that can be used year after year rather than disposable ones.

6) Holiday Lights. If you decide to have lights, choose LED lights. They are by far the most efficient type, and will last much longer than regular lights too! They are bright and festive -- and there are no bulbs to break or burn out. No need to overdo it. Just a string or two will send warm wishes of good cheer into the chill night of a Manitoba winter.

7) Christmas Trees.  Consider decorating a living plant or tree, or creating and decorating a "tree" using recycled and salvaged materials.  If you prefer a traditional Christmas tree, buy a local Manitoba farmed tree, have it chipped after you are finished with it, and use the chips as mulch in your yard or garden.  Some municipalities will accept trees for chipping.  In Winnipeg, the City's Let's Chip In depots are now open and will be accepting trees until January 20.  For information on local tree farms, check out the Manitoba Christmas Tree Growers Association.

8) Entertaining. Make people the focus of your holidays. Invite friends and family over for an evening of games, songs and seasonal stories. To make things easier, have a pot luck. Purchase or make invitations on recycled paper or, better yet, just e-mail your invitations to save on paper. Choose local food for meals and snacks. For outdoor fun, avoid noisy snow machines that create pollution -- go walking, skating, skiing or tobogganing instead.

9) Transportation. A great way to avoid the hassle of traffic and parking while on holiday errands is to walk or take the bus. Walking to school concerts and community events allows you to fit physical activity into your day. It's also a good opportunity to greet people in the neighbourhood and admire holiday decorations on your street. And since the best way to get to and from a holiday party safely is to have a designated driver, why not carpool to your destination or take transit!

10) S.N.U.B!  Disposable shopping bags use up natural resources and energy, and contribute to needless waste.  So why not ‘Say No to Unwanted Bags' (S.N.U.B.) and bring your own re-usable shopping bags from home!

Warm Holiday Wishes from Resource Conservation Manitoba!