The December holiday season is again quickly approaching. This is one time of the year many of us are tempted to splurge and maybe even go a little overboard as we try to make our families, friends, and sometimes strangers, happy. Yet, many of our well-meaning deeds to provide others with joy and happiness results in wastefulness. Without thinking about our actions, we continue past traditions of wrapping presents, cooking large amounts of food that cannot be eaten before spoiling, or buying toys that may not withstand a child's play until the end of Christmas Day.

As a country we are faced with a decreasing number of places to put our trash. The holiday season presents us with an opportunity to change our behavior in ways that will impact the immediate receiver of the gift and the world as a whole.

The first step to eliminating waste is to plan what you will buy and for whom. With a written plan or shopping list, you are not likely to buy items that are attractively displayed or that seem to be a convenient choice because you are getting tired of shopping. In addition, a list might help you save valuable time and unproductive shopping trips. As you make your lists for presents and related holiday activities, consider the following questions. They may help you decrease wastefulness this holiday season.

• How much of the item can actually be used? Do you really want to spend your money on something that is likely to end up in the landfill or an incinerator?
  
• How long is this item going to last if used as intended?
  
• Would something that is used regularly by the recipients be appreciated more? For instance, would elderly persons appreciate a service such as taking them to a doctor's appointment, a meal with your family, or a box of detergent?
  
• For food items, is the packaging something that can be recycled in the community or reused?
  
• Is this a low maintenance item or will it cause the receiver to spend valuable time and money for cleaning and maintenance?
  
• Is this something you would appreciate receiving?