Christmas is a time for celebration and gift-giving, but it can also be a time of excess, with people buying more than they need. There are many ways that you can make your holiday season as green as possible. Here’s a list of some simple tips to help you get started:
1. Try a zero-waste gift wrap
We love anything sparkly at Christmas time. However, shiny wrapping paper covered in glitter can’t be recycled and is therefore bad for the environment. Try these eco-friendly alternatives instead:
- Tote bags As well as being an attractive way to gift-wrap, tote bags can be used over and over again for shopping, or even re-gifting!
- Scarves Find an elegant scarf in a charity shop, wrap it around your gift, and put it under the tree for a double present!
- Brown paper packaging When Julie Andrews said it was one of her favourite things, she wasn’t kidding! Decorate with a slice of dried-out orange and a cinnamon stick for an ultra-effective look.
2. Use natural decorations
When we decorate for Christmas, we want to walk into a winter wonderland. Here are some ways you can ensure that your decorations are eco-friendly this year:
- Avoid tinsel Although tinsel brightens up a room, it’s not sustainable. Replace glitter and plastic with natural decorations such as holly branches, ivy, and fruit to invite the outdoors in.
- Make your wreath You can make your own Christmas wreath by using willow branches, and natural decorations which you can collect on a winter scavenger hunt. Even add bird seed to make it a decoration and a meal for visitors!
3. Avoid Christmas Crackers which contain plastic toys
Christmas crackers have become a staple for the festive season, but so many of them contain plastic toys as prizes! Some brands have ditched plastic and opted for metal or paper alternatives. Alternatively, it’s easy to make your own eco-friendly Christmas crackers with things you can find at home! All you need is:
- Recycled card
- Tissue paper
- Twine
- Scissors
- Sticky Tape
- “Snaps”
- Presents and jokes for prizes!
Firstly make a tube with the recycled card and place a piece of tape in the centre to hold it together. Put a snap into the tube and fasten it with a piece of tape. Wrap the tissue paper around the tube so it covers the length of the cracker, and fasten one end with twine. At this point, add your prizes! Then tie the other end of the cracker. Decorate how you like and enjoy!
4. DIY your gifts
Nothing is better than a gift someone has put time and effort into making themselves. It doesn’t have to be perfect, and the handmade gift will be sure to let your loved ones know you care. Some gifts you could make at home include:
- Baked goods such as gingerbread or cookies
- Salt-dough or clay decorations
- A piece of art hand-drawn by you
- A piece of knitting
- A homemade candle
- A hamper of your loved ones favourite food
5. Think quality, not quantity
Often we feel pressured into buying lots of gifts for the whole family. This isn’t economically sustainable, so here are a few tips for how to avoid this hurdle at Christmas:
- Set rules Try setting some ground rules to choose only eco-friendly gifts for your friends and family. This will encourage you to invest in high quality, sustainable present.
- Secret Santa If you have a large family, try playing Secret Santa to limit the number of presents everyone has to buy and the money spent. If you want to, go even further by asking that everyone get their presents from charity shops.
We would love to see how you have yourself an eco-friendly Christmas. Share your ideas with us on social media by tagging us and by using the hashtag #ExploreWithEYR.
