Nobody's asking you to forgo the tree, the turkey or any of the other trimmings. Rather, this December 25th we might want to think about going about our usual business in an altogether greener way.

With 80% of the world's toys coming from China, regardless of anything else, the quantities of fuel alone are worryingly high. Then you've got to factor in the vast array of less than eco-friendly materials being used. It's PVC, whose carcinogenic properties and dangerous byproducts such as mercury, which is usually the manufacturers' material of choice.

But these are well-priced items, I hear you cry! Indeed, any hesitation before buying a product is usually down to price, beyond that most of us aren't too bothered about anything else. It's only in recent years that the harsh reality of hidden social costs of an item's production has made its way into our consciences. What we continue to neglect is of course the environmental cost, which stands almost no chance of competing with the omnipresence of low price tags.

And so this year it is not necessarily a case of cutting down on the Buzz Lightyears and the Barbie dolls we so desperately crave. I suggest we give our purchases a second thought. We could get off the consumerist treadmill, and consider supporting small worker-owner cooperatives, buying local wood, and even recycled games.

The EU may well have banned several additives back in 2005 but most of the toys on the shelves are still extremely harmful to the environment. Clearly, we can't rely on government to get rid of these products. It all boils down to supply and demand. If we can curb our insatiable appetite for all things plastic, production will decrease. Instead, spending our money on products derived from more sustainable resources will send a strong message to manufacturers.

We all know a puppy is not just for Christmas, well, neither is a bicycle or a chess set!