Home & Garden

It's estimated that Brits will use 227,000 miles of wrapping paper this year, with over 83km2 ending up in our bins. That’s a lot of waste.

And even the most well-intentioned of us may be unaware that the wrap we put in recycling isn’t actually recyclable if it contains plastic, dye, foil, glitter or leftover sticky tape. It’s been said that you can check whether paper is plastic coated or not by scrunching it. If it stays scrunched, it’s probably fine to recycle, but if it pops back, it’s covered in plastic.

Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to make presents look pretty and cut down on waste.

Caring for the environment is at the forefront of people's minds at the moment, and that includes the festive season too.

As a result, it may be time to reconsider the type of gifts you share this year.

Alice Beer joins us with the perfect gifts which are more than just a present for your loved ones.

After one homeowner in Somerset received a letter from his neighbours criticising his ‘tacky’ Christmas light display, we’re asking, is decorating the outside of your house with Christmas lights tacky or just a bit of festive fun?

Joining us in the studio is one person who thinks festive light displays are ‘nothing but eyesores’, former royal butler Grant Harrold. But Michael Farnes, the owner of Britain’s most decorated house (with over £10,000 worth of Christmas decorations) joins us live from Hove.

It’s Steve Wilson’s favourite item of the entire year. From gadgets that make you look younger to fun tech that’ll keep the whole family entertained, Steve shows us the must-have gadgets we will all want in our Christmas stockings.

You might have already sent your wish list off to Santa, but have you thought about what your pet might like to find under the tree this Christmas?

From doggie mince pies and cat Christmas crackers, to bacon flavoured bubble machines and luxury homes for your guinea pigs - our vet Dr Scott Miller is here to make sure your pet gets in on the festive fun.

Scott's top tips

- The oils in Christmas trees can be mildly toxic, causing stomach upsets, and the needles themselves can get stuck in your pet's paw or throat

- Be careful of fairy lights which dangle and are tempting chew items for pets

- Keep the door shut when you are wrapping presents otherwise your animal might ingest something they shouldn't

- Poinsettias, mistletoe and holly are Christmas favourites, however they are dangerous for pets; with varying levels of toxicity, the side effects depend on how much of the plant is consumed

Christmas Day is fast approaching, which means that it's time to start buying for your children before it’s too late!

From your own life-sized Sven to a Harry Potter invisibility cloak, Steve Wilson is here with his ultimate list of presents for your little one this year.

With just three weeks to go until Christmas Day, it's time to start decorating your house - starting with a festive front door!

But if you'd rather not spend a fortune on a real wreath, why not make your own?

From bauble rings to a special reindeer wreath, our Home Genie Georgina Burnett shows us how to make our very own crafting creations!