We're excited to celebrate the holidays with friends and family–but we're not excited for the extra holiday waste.

Here are 12 tips for cutting back on the holiday excess.

Use sustainable wrapping paper and be sure to avoid those with foil, glitter, or metallic shine.

Instead, use newspapers, magazines, or even old calendars to wrap your loved ones' gifts. (It's the inside that counts!)

Opt for recyclable cards or e-cards! Most cards are made of paper, but embellishments like glitter are not recyclable.

Get crafty! Give old clothing a new life by turning it into tote bags or other sewn gifts.

Make a personalized journal for a friend. All you need is some scrap paper, decorations, and cardboard for the covers.

One person's trash is another person's treasure. Don't throw that ugly sweater away. Revamp it and regift!

Real trees tend to be better for the environment than artificial (depending on how long you keep them).

Deck the halls with homemade crafts, like snowflakes made from scrap paper and garland made from dried oranges.

And don’t forget the LED lights! These waste significantly less energy–and they're safer, too.

Hosting a dinner party and want a new table setting? Turn old towels into cloth napkins!

Leftovers from a holiday feast? Reduce food waste by freezing it for an easy weeknight meal!

Encourage family and friends to bring their own to-go containers, too! There’s no better party favor than food.

Use these tips to reduce waste this holiday season. Consider it your gift of gratitude—to the planet.