Now that Christmas is over, its easy to just think "how do we just get back to normal?"  We've all felt the urge to just chuck the excess food, packaging, old toys, and cards into the garbage.  Try to take that extra 20 minutes over the week to properly dispose of materials:  

Check the packaging from the gifts and see what can be recycled.

Most cities offer a tree chipping service for safe disposal of your tree (even better if you have a live one you can replant.)

Gift bags can be put away for another year instead of tossed.

Cards can be cut up and used as gift tags for future years or for kids' crafts.

Most food leftovers can be used for a second meal, and if not, then composted or put into green waste bins, instead of the garbage.

Donate previously-loved toys and clothes to a worthy organization in your community.

 Jot a note to yourself if you felt your Xmas was "excessive".  Put it on your October 2011 calendar to remind yourself to be more moderate in the coming year.