5 top tips for a more sustainable Merry Christmas!

‘Tis definitely the season to be jolly.  But does jolly need to mean shopping ‘til we drop with all the stress that can entail? 

Instead, could we take a much more considered view of the Festive season, which would have the benefit of being better for the planet too?

 

Buy less – do more

The most impact we can have at Christmas from a sustainability point of view is to simply buy less.  That doesn’t mean no presents and no fun however.

Instead, why not gift experiences for the recipient to enjoy?  That could simply be a voucher for their favourite local restaurant?  Or if you’re feeling more adventurous,  an escape room visit / high climbing trail like go ape is a brilliant day out.  

Spend time with your loved ones doing something different rather than another scarf / pair of slippers / candle.

 

Consider buying pre-loved

Ebay, Gumtree and Facebook Marketplace are brilliant not just for picking up a bargain but also as part of the circular economy.  This means you can save and reuse items which may otherwise be discarded.  

I picked up a fantastic, faux fur French Connection coat, in beautiful condition which is a perfect Christmas Gift.  Handbags are another item which are easy to find on second-hand sites, often immaculate.

My partner just sourced a brilliant Samsung tablet for his daughter which had barely been used.  Not only was it in perfect condition, he saved himself a couple of hundred pounds too!

 

If you do buy new, buy sustainably

There are lots of interesting eco gifts available.  For foodies, you could support local food producers with a coffee subscription or cheese subscription direct from the farmer.   

Craft beer lovers might enjoy a monthly subscription box to try out.  Or you could consider a comic or magazine subscription which brings joy every month.

Alternatively think of gifting products which can be reused.  Reusable makeup removing pads are a brilliant stocking filler idea, perfect for every age bracket. 

If it’s a new phone that you’re looking for, consider fairphone, the eco smart phone.  It’s built from fair and recycled materials and made to last rather than with built in obsolescence.

 

Deck the halls…

…with boughs of holly.  Sometimes, the old ways are the best ways!  Rather than buying lots of plastic decorations, why don’t you forage in your garden for stems and branches of evergreen foliage? 

Decorating your house with pine has the added benefit of making the whole house smell wonderful too!

If you’re dead set on having a Christmas tree, a real tree is a more sustainable option than a plastic one.  The more sustainable trees are rooted so they can be used inside this year, then potted and used again next year.  

If that’s not possible and you’re buying a felled tree, look for accreditation from Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), so you’ll know it has been grown sustainably and ethically.

Once the festive season has passed, make sure you dispose of your real tree properly. 

If you’re looking for an easy eco-friendly option for this,  most local councils will have drop-off options at local recycling centres.  There they will  shred and chip your tree with this service being available in December and January.  

Alternatively, many local charities will offer a paid for collection scheme for a small donation.  In our area, the local Rotary club offer this facility which saves getting needles all over the car!

 

Reduce Food Waste

Around 7 million tonnes of food is binned each Christmas in the UK, which is shocking given the levels of food poverty in this country.  You can reduce your food waste by:

• Planning your meals and don’t buy it if you don’t need it
• Buy smaller if necessary.  You may fancy a Turkey dinner, but for just two of you maybe consider a turkey crown instead of a whole turkey
• If you think you’re going to have too much, why not plate up a meal for neighbours, or even better, welcome them in for a meal
• Plan leftover meals.  There’s lots of inspiration online for cracking recipes to use up leftover ham, turkey, cheese etc
• Use your freezer and freeze leftovers for easy meals at a later date

We hope you’ve enjoyed these ideas!   

Have you any tips to share for an eco-friendly Christmas?

For more sustainable alternatives to disposable including period pants, reusable sanitary towels, reusable wipes and makeup removing pads, please feel free to visit our website.  We love to talk poo, pee and periods!