Sustainability: ‘I’m dreaming of a greener Christmas’.
Seeing as the 12 Days of Christmas are less than two weeks away, here are 12 tweaks I’m making this year to have a sustainable Christmas…
It’s December and, love it or loathe it, Mariah is serenading us again… which always makes me ask what I want for Christmas? These days my answer is a healthy, safe planet on which my children – and everyone else for that matter – can live happy, healthy, sustainable lives.
That’s a massive ask though – definitely not something that fits in a stocking or can be achieved by one person alone. (Even the United Nations has 17 ambitious goals with 191 member states working to achieve them (https://sdgs.un.org/goals).
It’s enough worry to drive you crazy… so how do I stay (ha!) sane? Or, more accurately, as sane as possible with two little people, a husband, a job, 4 family birthdays in December and the holiday season upon us?
For me, I focus on what I can do. After all, when it comes to making the world a better place, every action counts. (Scroll down at https://www.goldstandard.org to see the difference one person can make on climate change)
So, seeing as the 12 Days of Christmas are less than two weeks away, here are 12 tweaks I’m making this year to have a sustainable Christmas… (one caveat here: despite what I tell my husband, I’m not perfect; I just keep trying to be a bit better and I’d love to hear your ideas in the comments)
1. Cards
Did you know on average each person in the UK sends and receives 17 Christmas cards each year? That’s one tree chopped down for every 176 people (https://www.gwp.co.uk/guides/christmas-packaging-facts/#card)
So, the first question is do you need to send a card?
If the answer is yes (because the upset of elderly relatives is not worth risking) then can you make your own out of last years cards? If you buy new, choose cards that made from recycled materials and are recyclable. (Avoid plastic, batteries, ribbons and glitter at all costs - all recycling nightmares… with the last one also being total cleaning hell)
At the end of Christmas, remember to save any you receive for next year (There are some lovely ideas here on how to reuse cards)
2. Oh Christmas Tree
The most sustainable option is to buy a potted tree, look after it and enjoy it for many years to come. If like me, you’re not that green-fingered or you dream of a real, gorgeous six-footer… (focus please – we’re talking about trees) then choose a locally grown tree from a sustainably managed forest.
If you’ve already got an artificial one though - don’t panic! The best you can do is keep using and enjoying it - for as long as possible (and definitely for more than 10 years to make best use of the resources and energy used to make it).
3. Decorations
The most sustainable choice with decorations is to use and enjoy what you’ve already got – or what you can find pre-loved. If you are buying new, think about the materials: items that are made from recycled materials and recyclable or sustainably sourced natural materials are best. Again, all that glitters is not gold green.
Having a go at making decorations either using recycled/pre-used paper or materials can be good fun with children (if you’re patient) or with some friends (with a glass of wine). If you have some artistic skills then foraged branches and leaves can look amazing – think beautiful wreath. (Full disclosure: my attempts looked like a crazed squirrel had been let loose but I wish you success!)
Oh – and go for LED lights, which use less power (breathe a sigh of relief for your power bill) and they last.
4. Last Christmas, I gave you…
One of my favourite parts of Christmas is choosing and giving gifts – and so I was shocked that a recent poll of 2,000 people found 63% receive up to 7 presents that they will never use. Eek! It’s made me reflect and start to ask family and friends what they would like for Christmas – or give them some options to choose from.
I’ve also been focused on trying to give quality not quantity (and I include pre-loved items in this… my sister’s getting a designer jacket off Depop). And, of course, choosing items made from sustainable materials.
We have a wonderfully large (ahem, complex) family and so we do ‘secret santas’ to save money and reduce waste (with added stress reduction). Recently, we’ve started to donate or give experiences instead of physical items too. For example, my amazing, kind-hearted Mum asks for money to buy food for her local food bank. My lovely, fun sister-in-law treats our children to panto tickets rather than a new toy. After a hard birth, I loved that year’s Christmas gift of donated bike for a Midwife in Africa (https://www.goodgifts.org)
If you do receive a “thought that counts” gift, could you re-gift or donate it? Even (opened) toiletries can find appreciative homes (e.g. https://www.toiletriesamnesty.org/directory/ )
All that said, tis the season to be jolly…. and, I’ll admit, the plastic poo I bought my husband six years ago is still amongst his all time favourite gifts (and currently enjoying a renaissance with our 2 year old son!)
5. Christmas research
Searching for that perfect gift can be sustainable too – have you tried using a more sustainable search engine? For example, https://www.ecosia.org donates all its profits to taking climate action. Powerful stuff (especially if you search a lot… think my top hit of “soft play opening times”? Urgh how times have changed.)
6. Wrapping
On the topic of presents, the wrapping matters too…
I channel my Grandad and save paper to reuse. One group of friends and I have used the same paper for over 20 Birthday and Christmas presents now. (I find this hilarious but I will admit I don’t get out as much these days…)
I also buy (recycled) rolls of brown paper and let the children go wild with Christmas stamps and paint to create our own wrapping paper masterpieces. Elegant, no. Cheap and cheerful, definitely! (Remember to use washable paints and avoid glitter so that the paper can be recycled afterwards)
My mother-in-law does fantastic furoshiki… basically wrapping stuff in pretty material. It takes a bit of practise and, as I had to inform my husband last year, wrapping something in your dressing gown on Christmas morning is not furoshiki.
If you’re in a Christmas Eve rush and buying new wrapping paper though, choose recycled and recyclable paper, which is not wrapped in plastic. Also – look for tape which doesn’t contain plastic (either biodegrable paper tape like this https://www.peacewiththewild.co.uk/product/biodegradable-paper-tape/?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAsburBhCIARIsAExmsu5hIfWjRMdQg_oWtgPpXJ7sA_LStrBkSbI0YFOmDuNKZfqMF1Nsj-saAk3SEALw_wcB
or even plastic free sellotape https://www.sellotape.co.uk/en/products/zero-plastic.html )
7. Eat up (seasonally and locally)
I think we all know seasonal, local produce is the most sustainable and this app is great to help understand how sustainable your choices are: https://www.impactscore.app (although shopping does take longer until you get used to it!)
While my Nan said I have “eyes bigger than my stomach”, despite my attempts to prove that wrong, we always have leftovers. What happens next is important: 23% of UK food emissions comes from wasted food (
https://wrap.org.uk/sites/default/files/2021-10/WRAP-UK-Food-System-GHG-Emissions-Technical-Report_0.pdf ) I’m going to try minimising waste by planning our meals, buying less and using up leftovers.
8. Plant-based food
I have to start this section by admitting that I’m a (dietary not yoga) “flexigan”. I try to eat plant-based (vegan) most of the time but I have to be flexible – my husband is half-French with an intrinsic need for meat and cheese but, also, I LOVE cheese (even more than Christmas Crackers).
Avoiding meat and dairy products is one of the biggest things you can do to be more environmentally friendly though https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-46459714
If you love lentils, there are some great “meatloaf” alternative recipes but, if not, perhaps you could try a few easy swaps? For example, poultry has lower emissions than beef, a plant-based butter is just as delicious in cooking and I’ve swapped out cream in cooking for soya cream without anyone noticing!
9. Christmas crackers
I LOVE Christmas crackers. The anticipation, the smell of the snaps… but, if I’m honest, the joy of the toys has always been fleeting. Always thought I’d rather have a chocolate and so last year we made our own… which we put chocolate in! They were fun to make and personalise. This year I’d like to try reusable crackers.
10. Christmas spirit
Sustainability also has a social element to it… and the sad truth is that not everyone will be having a great Christmas this year. Donating money is one way to help but time is just as valuable. Could you organise a local gift collection for children who wouldn’t otherwise receive a gift, volunteer at a shelter over the Christmas period, arrange to talk with someone lonely? Even writing a letter to someone can lift someone’s spirits (https://www.frommetoyouletters.co.uk)
11. Dress to impress (with your sustainability credentials)
With that in mind, buying something and wearing it once or twice is definitely not sustainable (for the planet or your bank account). If you’ve got a special do, could you rent an outfit (https://www.elle.com/uk/fashion/g29187954/rent-dress/), buy pre-loved (think Vinted, Depop, EBay etc) or even raid a friend’s wardrobe? (Hint, hint Maria…)
Before you buy, ask yourself if you’re going to wear it 30 times? If not, it definitely won’t be a sustainable choice (perhaps more on fashion another time but in the meantime… https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2021/mar/13/will-you-wear-it-30-times-if-not-dont-buy-the-experts-guide-to-online-shopping ).
12. Travel
And, finally, if you’re visting this year, perhaps think about how you’re getting there… Here’s a handy calculator: https://www.thetrainline.com/trains/carbon-calculator
Maybe you do some of these things already? Maybe you have more ideas - in which case, do share in comments, I’d love the help on my journey. Maybe you’ll try a few of these yourself? Let me know how you get on… and I’ll be brave and report back after Christmas on how we managed!
Wishing you and your loved ones a very happy (and hopefully restful) Christmas, Em x
