Deck the halls - With energy saving light bulbs?

Energy efficient living has been a major focus in 2008 and next year looks set to be the same with everyone feeling the pressure to enjoy a ‘greener' lifestyle. With most people feeling the pinch of the credit crunch this Christmas we could be forgiven for thinking energy efficiency and environment saving is impossible amid the festivities.

Not so, according to Persimmon Homes - a company that's keen to help home owners stay green this Christmas: "Being green at Christmas doesn't mean you have to live like Scrooge, there are plenty of simple little changes that home owners can make to save the environment and their utility bills," comments Andrew Demain, business development director for Persimmon Homes West Yorkshire. "Our top tips for festive energy saving are easy, enjoyable and rewarding so why not get all the family involved and give a little gift back to the environment this year."

Persimmon's Top 10 Tips for a Green Christmas

1. Buy a real tree with roots which you can plant in the garden after Christmas. If your garden is too small to plant a tree outside, contact your local council and see if they offer a tree recycling service.

2. Use energy saving light bulbs indoors and outside and set timer switches for them to come on and off.

3. Buy a re-usable shopping bag for your Christmas shopping. Not only will it save wasting plastic but they are stronger and often easier to carry.

4. Treat yourself to a compost bin and compost all your sprout and vegetable feelings. Four million Brussels sprouts are purchased the week before Christmas - now that's a lot of compost!

5. Briton's send almost one billion Christmas cards every year. Buy recycled Christmas cards and either use the ones you receive to make present labels for next year or ensure they are recycled again.

6. Use natural products to creatively wrap Christmas presents. Brown paper parcels tied up with string and colourful leaves instead of bows are a cheap alternative to synthetic wrapping and look great.

7. Buy local organic food and produce for Christmas meals and insist on loose fruit and vegetables to avoid waste packages.

8. Buy rechargeable batteries for children's gifts, you'll avoid squabbling over the last AA battery and save the environment.

9. Create your own Christmas tree outdoors and decorate it with peanut strings, seed cakes, and fat balls to help wildlife survive the winter months.

10. Pause under the mistletoe. It's one of the UK's endangered species so why not plant some of your own for next year?

Persimmon Homes West Yorkshire is building in Castleford, Cleckheaton, Gomersal, Heckmondwike, Horbury, Leeds, Northowram, Ripponden, Southowram, Wakefield and Wilsden For further information on the range of properties available throughout the region, log on to Persimmonhomes.com.