The Christmas season is all about giving, joy and togetherness. However, with this season comes a lot of excess-waste from wrapping paper, plastic decorations and unwanted gifts. 
Year after year, more people are trying to take a more sustainable approach to the festive season which respects the planet, reduces waste and still captures the magic of Christmas. 
Here are some of our favourite ideas for a more eco-friendly Christmas:

Sustainable Gift Wrapping

Wrapping paper as we all know is used once, then torn open and thrown away, which adds to the mountains of waste over the holidays. Instead try these alternatives:

• Recycled/recyclable paper - if you do use paper wrapping then opt for recycled or craft paper, which is biodegradable and can be recycled after use, instead of metallic, glittery or foil paper.
  To check if your wrapping paper is recyclable, you can try the scrunch test:
  1. Scrunch the paper into a ball 
  2. Open your hand and see if the paper stays in its scrunched ball shape
  3. If the paper stays scrunched, it is most likely recyclable!
• Reusable fabric wraps - using a scarf, blanket, tea towel, or piece of fabric that can be reused is a great way of giving 2 gifts in one as well as being eco friendly!
• Repurposed materials - reusing your old materials such as newspapers, old maps, magazines/comics. Each gift will look unique under the tree and helps the planet!
• Gift bags - reusable gift bags are another form of wrapping that serves as 2 presents in one! Wrapping your gift in a cotton tote bag, or a jute shopping bag, gives them not only a lovely gift but also a reusable shopping bag to use year after year.

 

 

Eco-friendly Gifts

Gift giving is the part of Christmas that many people look forward to the most. But how can we give thoughtful presents and keep the planet in mind? Here are some of our favourite ideas:

• Experience gifts - give the gift of an experience. Think cooking classes, a lap around Silverstone in a supercar, or concert tickets to see their favourite band. Experience gifts include minimal packaging which is usually fully recyclable. 
• Handmade gifts - if you have a natural knack for crafts, consider hand making presents for your loved ones. Homemade candles, knitted hats and scarves, and home baked goods are all sustainable, and your friends and family will be thrilled to receive something that you've made with love!
• Local & ethically sourced gifts - supporting small, local businesses and eco-conscious brands that prioritise sustainability is a great thing to look for when shopping for gifts. Look for brands that offer recyclable packaging and operate using fair share policies. 
• Zero-waste starter kits - for someone who is interested in living more sustainably, a zero-waste starter kit with items such as a reusable water bottle, beeswax wrap, natural cotton face cloths and bamboo toothbrush makes a perfect gift. 

 

 

Plastic-free

Many Christmas decorations we use are made from non-biodegradable plastics, try these ways of making your holiday-decor more natural: 

• DIY decorations - get creative with your partner, your kids, your family, and make your own festive decorations. Dig out some paper, old fabrics, sliced oranges, pinecones or sticks and make your own garlands or hanging decorations for the tree. 
  Natural products can be composted or put back outside after Christmas, as long as they don't have any plastic or glitter on them.
  Using twine instead of ribbon adds to the natural organic feel of your homemade decorations.
• Eco Christmas cards - rather than sending traditional paper cards, and with everyone having smartphones nowadays, you can opt for e-cards. If you would rather send physical cards, then pick cards made from recycled paper containing no glitter.
• Christmas crackers - we all love the excitement of pulling a cracker and finding a miniature screwdriver or bottle opener inside, along with one of the worst jokes you've ever heard. But Christmas crackers can contain a lot of plastics in their toys and packaging. Plastic free crackers are made from 100% recyclable materials such as paper and cardboard, and in the absence of plastic the toys are more environmentally conscious. Some may contain seed bombs, wooden toys, or miniature notepads. 

 

 

Reducing Energy Use

During the festive season, energy consumption spikes due to increased use of Christmas lights and decorations. 

• Turn off lights - be mindful with your Christmas lights and decorations. Switch them off in the daytime when they are not as visible, and put them on timers so that they are turned off during the night. 
• Energy efficient lighting - switching to LED lights uses less energy and will save you precious pounds on your energy bill, they also last longer than normal bulbs so will also save you a few trips to the shops.
• Avoid excess heating - when the temperatures drop, the first point of call is to ramp the heating up. Instead, limit the daily amount of time you have your heating turned on, and opt for cosy clothing and warm snuggly blankets. 

 

 

 

Celebrating Christmas with a more eco-conscious mind doesn't mean you have to sacrifice the joy and spirit of the season. With a little creativity and mindfulness you can reduce your environmental footprint and make more sustainable choices without compromising on festive fun.