How to have a greener Christmas!

Some ideas on how to make your Christmas a bit more eco-friendly this year.
It is becoming an increasingly popular choice to look into having a sustainable Christmas and reducing festive waste. Here are some ideas:

1. Rent a Christmas Tree instead of buying it. Or if you buy one, then aim to recycle it afterwards. There are alternative eco-friendly options too these days, such as cardboard Christmas trees.

2. Wrap gifts with recycled paper, fabric or plastic-free gift wrapping paper.

3. Invest in a reusable advent calendar.

4. Avoid wreaths adorned with plastic accessories and glittery decorations. Go for a real, fresh wreath made using seasonal, natural foliage and adornments. Or make your own reusable adornments using fabrics, felt, paper, etc.

5. Reduce your food waste. Buy only what you need or sell/give away surplus food through Food waste apps.

6. Switch to LED Christmas lights from incandescent twinkling lights.

7. If you want candles, choose eco-friendly soy or beeswax varieties rather than paraffin.

8. Buy plastic-free gifts. Or gifts that will be useful and lasting.

9. Re-use last year’s decorations or try to use decorations and baubles made of sustainable materials.

10. If you cannot live without glitter, then do not use the traditional plastic glitter. Try to use a biodegradable, plant based glitter.

11. Do not worry if you cannot do all of these things on the list. Even if you do just one, it will be a start.

“We don’t need a handful of people doing zero waste perfectly. We need millions of people doing it imperfectly.”

And finally, reflect on what is truly important at Christmas. Is it the gifts, yummy food, over-the-top decorations and sparkly clothes? Or is it spending time with loved ones, reflecting on the year you have had and being grateful for the blessings in your life?