It’s the most wonderful time of the year, but also the busiest! When you have a million and one things to do, it’s so easy to choose the most convenient options without thinking about the environmental impact. We’ve all done it! But creating Christmas magic doesn’t have to come at the planet’s expense. We’ve put together some top tips for a planet-friendly Christmas that’s still overflowing with festive spirit.
Are you team real or fake? When it comes to the most sustainable option, the answer isn’t as straightforward as you might think!
Real trees: look for locally grown trees from sustainable farms. Did you know for every tree harvested at a Christmas tree farm they plant 1-3 new ones to take it’s place! A big bonus of real trees is they biodegrade, so once the festive period is over, make sure you dispose of your tree properly. Check your council website for information on collections.
Fake trees: If you’re going artificial, and there are many pros to them (the main one being the lack of pine needles!), make sure to choose a good quality tree. You’ll want something you know will last at least 10 years to offset its carbon footprint.
Getting creative and making your own Christmas decorations isn’t just eco-friendly, it’s one of the very best ways to start traditions that will become lasting memories you can put our year after year.
Crackers are one of the main culprits for single-use plastic items that just end up in landfills. Look for crackers with zero waste items, or even better, make your own! All you need to make your own are:
You can even make fabric crackers to start a reusable tradition that will last year after year!
Waste not want not! Before you even think about doing the Christmas food shop, make a list of what you actually need and what day you’ll need it on.
We’re all guilty of going overboard for Christmas, but it’s also one of the best times for using up leftovers: bubble and squeak, turkey curry, blended seasonal soups, and cold-cut sandwich platters are all classics!
Storage tip: invest in some good-quality containers to keep leftovers fresh for longer!
When you’re shopping, try to be mindful of the plastic that gifts are packaged in. Choose items with minimal packaging or that are packed in sustainable materials; companies are getting better and better about this now.
Another way to lessen your impact is to shop with local makers and sustainable brands. Look for the ‘made by us’ stickers on our TreatBox products and you’ll know they’re as local as can be!
Consumable gifts are great for green gifting because you know they’ll be used and won’t create lasting waste; we always knew chocolate was our hero!
Be sure to pack those reusable bags for your Christmas shopping trips; keep them by the door, in your bag, and in the car—cover all your bases! You’ll save your pennies and won’t be adding to the collection of plastic bags every household seems to accumulate!
Hosting a Christmas party? Try to use reusable cutlery and crockery rather than single-use. And if you don’t have enough cutlery to go around? Finger foods are your friends! Use cloth napkins instead of paper if you can and decorate with nature instead of plastic.
One of the best ways to get that festive feeling, and some fresh air, is to go foraging for holly, pine branches and other garland-worthy foliage.
Pro-tip: If you don’t have enough, borrow extra plates and cutlery from family and friends instead of buying disposables!
So the festive period is over for another year, and you’ve received some gifts that you’re not too fussed about. The thought was there (or maybe it wasn’t) but they’re just not for you; don’t throw them out. Clothes and accessories can go on Vinted or Depop, to make some extra cash for next Christmas, or you could never donate the proceeds to your favourite charity, as it’s the season of giving!
But if you don’t want the hassle of selling and posting, pop onto your local free group for items you just want to get rid of, without selling.
And of course there’s always the local charity shop; just be thoughtful when passing things on and regifting because you don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings!
You don’t have to do everything perfectly to make a difference! Even small changes are worthwhile. Start with one that seems manageable and work from there.
Small changes you can make this year:
By thinking a little deeper about our choices, we can all contribute in our own way to a more planet-friendly Christmas without sacrificing any of that magical feeling that comes with this time of year.
And don’t forget when you’re ordering your Christmas TreatBoxes, we ship out in sustainable packaging with The Royal Mail, the UK's greenest delivery option!
