The most wonderful time of the year is fast approaching with only a few weeks left of term. While we’re all looking forward to deadlines ending so we can begin the festive celebrations, this is the perfect time to reflect on how we can be more sustainable over the holiday period.

This blog will hopefully offer some tips and ways of being more sustainable over the Christmas holidays and help to make a difference.

First is Christmas cards, these are a festive tradition involving writing and sending cards to family, friends, and colleagues wishing glad tidings over the holiday season. Unfortunately, as cards are sent in envelopes, they use a lot of paper and are often thrown away soon after Christmas. Alternatively this December, why not try sending online cards to save paper altogether or opt for forest-friendly or even plantable cards which are more sustainable and better for the environment(House Beautiful, 2019). Seed paper (plantable) cards can be found on sites like Leo Printing.

Swapping to LED Christmas lights is another easy switch you can make this Christmas (Earth Easy, 2022). These typically have a longer lifespan and improved energy efficiency which is perfect for not only being more sustainable over the holiday period but also for saving energy and money in the current cost of living crisis. You can find some on Argos and Amazon.

You can make a big difference with the gifts you give and how you wrap them too. Consider quality over quantity when buying gifts to save presents going unwanted and unused and potentially even consider gifting an experience over your typical tangible gifts (WWF, 2022). When it comes to wrapping, look for forest-friendly or recyclable wrapping paper or maybe consider wrapping presents using fabric that can be used over and over again instead of being thrown away. Also try and avoid Sellotape as it is not recyclable and opt for string for a more sustainable option as well as a more authentic look (Country Living, 2021).

When it comes to picking the perfect Christmas tree, choose real over plastic, or better yet, go for a potted Christmas tree which can be replanted and reused for many years to come, saving money and the trouble of having to pick a new one each year and disposing of it too (WWF, 2022).

One final tip for being more sustainable over Christmas is to shop locally, whether this is eating local produce and helping to reduce air miles of food being transported across the globe, or just supporting your local independent shops in the high street, every little helps add up to make a big difference.

Hopefully, you can take something away from reading this blog or be inspired to read further into how to be sustainable over Christmas and come up with your own creative ideas!

Some websites with more tips on having a sustainable Christmas include:

Sustainable Christmas – House Beautiful

Sustainable Christmas Top Tips – WWF

Eco-Friendly Christmas Ideas – Country Living

How to Have a Green Christmas – Earth Easy

I hope everyone has a lovely time over the holidays and a very Merry Christmas

Thanks for reading!

By Sam Hardy