Go Organic this Christmas with the Soil Association's Seven Steps
The Soil Association is encouraging consumers to follow 'seven steps to an organic Christmas', through the launch of its organic Christmas directory.
Designed to help consumers source local, ethical, organic produce for their families this Christmas, it tells you all you need to know for an organic Christmas 2013 via an online map.
So whether it's table birds, organic clothing or artisan produce, the Soil Association's Christmas Directory showcases a huge range of food and drink certified by the Soil Association across the UK.
Searchable by product or region, the directory is designed to make sure consumers can find all they need from ethical and sustainable sources for a traditional British Christmas.
"Here at the Soil Association we're very excited that Christmas is coming. And we're also very excited that with our festive choices this Christmas we can make a positive difference to our planet - simply by buying organic. Why not join us and make a small change this Christmas?
By taking one (or all) of our seven steps to an organic Christmas you'll be helping to support a more sustainable and fairer system of farming. Your small change could make a big difference."
The Soil Association's Seven steps to an organic Christmas:
1. Wear Green this Winter
Did you know that almost a quarter of all the world's insecticides and 10% of pesticides are sprayed on cotton? 
2. Drink Organically
After all, it is the season to be merry! Opt for organic wine this year and not only will you be supporting a natural system of farming, you'll also be consuming less sulphur (which appears to lessen the chances of a hangover). But why limit yourself to just wine? There are some great organic beers, gins and liqueurs out there to try out!
3. Dine Organically
We all know that Christmas is the time of year during which eating is celebrated. Eating organically this Christmas means you can avoid consuming pesticide residues, GM ingredients or unnecessary food additives. With over 300 pesticides routinely used in non-organic farming, by choosing organic you'll be supporting a more sustainable way of farming that looks after our soil, as well as looking after your health and your family's.
4. Talk Turkey
Ten million turkeys are sold in the UK each year and, of these, 90% are reared intensively. If you want to be sure that yours has been fed a healthy diet, had access to the outdoors and is not from a factory farm, then look out for the Soil Association logo for your table birds this Christmas. 
5. Be a Natural Beauty
Your skin is the largest organ of your body and the impact from the daily cocktail of substances that we put on it is only just beginning to be understood. Soil Association certified beauty products guarantee the strictest standards for organic purity and integrity. Christmas is a great excuse to pamper yourself - why not go organic this year?
6. Avoid the Christmas Crush
Reconnect with the people who grow, make and supply your food by shopping at a local farmers’ market or farm shop. Not only do you get to avoid the queues, you support the local economy too. Christmas all round!
7. Get to Know Your Neighbours
Christmas is often the most expensive time of year - so get ready for the January pinch by joining an organic buying group or Community Supported Agriculture project. By getting together in a group, people can buy in bulk directly from farmers and receive fresh organic produce at a lower price, whilst farmers receive a secure market and fairer income.
To order directly from certified producers, visit the Soil Association's Christmas directory visit www.soilassociation.org/Christmas