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Christmas is a time of excess and overindulgence, from electricity usage and decorations to eating and presents. Just as the festive season takes a toll on the environment, it does on our bank accounts. The reality of waste over the winter season isn’t very jolly at all, with 12,500 tonnes of Christmas décor ending up in the landfill.
Everything from your Christmas dinner to your packaging and decorations can be made more eco-friendly. Whether you just send out a few cards to friends or celebrate a big family Christmas, it is entirely possible to have your usual festivities while being kinder to the environment.
It’s undeniable that gifts are an integral part of Christmas, and there is nothing more festive than giving your loved ones a gift you know they will adore. A greener and more cost-effective option is buying second-hand. Shopping in charity shops or online marketplaces allows you to make the most out of your budget while finding interesting, unique items.
The increase in demand for pre-loved gifts not only helps to save on packaging pollution and resource waste, but it gives an item a second life beyond its original industrial expenditures.
Many of us are counting down the days until it’s socially acceptable to deck our halls with outdoor LED Christmas lights, tinsel and mistletoe. You can get your money’s worth and become more carbon-conscious by investing in good quality decorations that you can reuse year after year.
An artificial tree has a carbon footprint equivalent to 40kg of greenhouse gas emissions so it’s greener to purchase a real tree if possible. Adorn it with natural ornaments made out of candied oranges, cinnamon sticks, or dried herbs for a unique and fresh-smelling display.
Food is often the biggest culprit for waste over the Yuletide season and while it definitely is a time to overindulge, you should try not to over-buy. In the UK, we waste 5 million Christmas puddings, 2 million turkeys, and 74 million mince pies. This figure is outrageous, considering many struggle to feed their families during the Christmas period.
Shopping locally can help reduce your foods’ carbon footprint, along with eating less meat and opting for seasonal veg that are kinder on the planet. Don’t forget to pop those tasty leftovers into Tupperware once you’re done eating so you can enjoy it over the days after.
A great option for both gifts and décor is to create your own! This is not only a greener and more cost-effective choice but it’s also a rewarding activity to do with your family.
Whether you go for handmade paper chains, snowflake cutouts, or foraged seasonal wreaths, there are many DIY Christmas creations that are guaranteed to ignite holiday joy.
This is a collaborative post.
Welcome to Birds and Lilies! I'm Lou: mother, blogger and freelance writer. This is my lifestyle blog, where I talk about motherhood, infertility and IVF, beauty, my love for food and wine, as well as my thoughts about stuff, and our real-life and travel adventures.
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