Tips for an eco-friendly Christmas

As a society, we’ve never been more aware of our impact on the planet and the importance of taking eco-friendly measures where we can.

While the festive season is one of joy and love spent with family, it can also be a time of consumption.

From decorations to gifts to Christmas meals, here are a few tips to help you have a more eco-friendly Christmas in 2024.

Try homemade gifts

Making gifts is a great way to give a thoughtful and inexpensive gift and are a more environmentally friendly option, too. Knitting a sweater, making your own extracts and baked goods and focusing on experiences rather than things can all help you create a more eco-conscious Christmas.

Recycle wrapping paper

Wrapping with fabric, newspaper and recycled wrapping paper can all help reduce the amount of waste created on Christmas morning. For more recyclable tips that are still stylish, see our article here.

Buy a sustainable tree

For many families, having a Christmas tree is an important part of the season that simply can’t be skipped. While it’s not the most environmentally-friendly, there are things you can do to minimise waste this season. First, purchase locally and if possible choose trees that have been sourced from a farm in your region to reduce the size of the tree’s carbon footprint. The soil association has some great tips about how to responsibly source a Christmas tree.

Avoid plastic toys

If you’re purchasing gifts and toys for grandchildren, one thing you can do to make your family Christmas more sustainable is to avoid purchasing cheap plastic toys that will quickly end up in landfill. Shopping for items from a local charity shop is a great way to do some up-cycling, while many modern toymakers are using other materials – like wood – to create beautiful toys that children love and also have the benefit of not hurting the planet.

Get a free-range turkey

If you serve turkey or another meat for Christmas lunch, consider getting an organic, free-range bird from your local butcher. Most butchers are supplied by farms in the region rather than large factory farms. Speak to your butcher and ask questions about what the most eco-conscious options are.

Swap tinsel for natural foliage

Glitter and tinsel is a hallmark of the festive season, but is very bad for our oceans – glitter and tinsel is often made from plastic and eventually ends up being eaten by small animals or floating in the ocean. Instead, why not try creating atmosphere with foliage from your local garden or park. It looks beautiful, smells good, and is less harmful to the environment.

Plan meals carefully

Food waste is common during the festive period. One simple thing you can do to avoid it is plan meals carefully and purchase only what you need. It has the benefit of helping your bank balance, too!

Do you have any tips for an eco-friendly Christmas? Share your wisdom in the comments below.