We absolutely love Christmas: the decorations; the food; the presents and the time with family and friends. But we know that a lot of waste is generated at this time of year. From excessive packaging to unused gifts, the environmental impact of Christmas is huge. But there are plenty of ways to cut waste.

Here are some practical tips we found:

Plan Your Gift Purchases Wisely

The first step to a low-waste Christmas is thoughtful planning.

Work out your budget. How much can you spend? List who you’re buying for and assign an approximate budget for each person but don’t be a slave to it if you find the perfect gift under budget!

When deciding what to gift:

• Try focusing on quality over quantity.

• Instead of purchasing multiple small gifts, consider giving fewer, more meaningful presents.

• Find out what the people in your life really need or want for Christmas. It sounds obvious but buying wanted gifts is sure to reduce the number of items that end up in landfill or at the back of the wardrobe.

• Consider Secret Santa for your family or group of friends.

• Opt for items that are durable, useful, and ethically produced

• Consider what you could make to give. Pinterest has hundreds of ideas, from simple eats to more involved hand-crafted items. We found some great ideas here too https://sustainablykindliving.com/sustainably-diy-holiday-gift-guide/

• Think about giving experiences. These can include tickets to concerts, cooking classes, or memberships to local museums. Experience gifts often create lasting memories without adding to material waste.

Photo by Kateryna Hliznitsova on Unsplash

• Give vouchers for your time. A low cost, low waste idea is to create vouchers for baby-sitting, DIY, car-washing and other activities your loved ones would benefit from.

• Go for charity gifts. Purchasing items for those in need is a great way to spread the spirit of Christmas. It also cuts waste dramatically! Through organisations like Concern, you can give anything from a warm blanket to a camel to counselling sessions for a child in Ukraine. Prices start at around £5

https://gifts.concern.org.uk/catalog

Choose where to buy

• Support local artisans at maker’s markets or maker’s cooperatives for unique handmade gifts with lower carbon footprints. Look out for dates on local forums and notice boards.

• Select online brands with sound ethical and environmental practices.

• Charity shops are excellent sources of sustainable, affordable gifts.

Get Creative with Gift Wrapping

Gift wrapping often results in a significant amount of waste, especially with the use of glossy paper that isn't recyclable. Instead, consider alternative wrapping methods:

• Using newspaper, magazines, brown paper bags, or fabric scraps to wrap gifts uses waste rather than creating it! You can personalize these materials with stamps or drawings for a unique touch.

• Furoshiki is a Japanese method that involves wrapping gifts in a piece of fabric, which can be reused later. It’s an elegant and eco-friendly way to present your gifts.

• Gift Boxes or tin can be part of the gift itself and are perfect for smaller items.

Photo by Fiona Murray-deGraaff on Unsplash

Choose Eco-Friendly Decorations

Decorations often contribute to waste, particularly when using plastic ornaments and synthetic materials. Here are some ideas for low-waste decorations:

• Use pinecones, branches, and dried oranges to create beautiful, biodegradable decorations. You can also make a wreath from natural materials, which can compost easily after the holiday season.

• Invest in decorations that you can use year after year, such as cloth bunting or fabric ornaments. Consider crafting your own decorations with family as a fun holiday activity.

• Embrace a minimalist decorating style that focuses on fewer, more meaningful pieces rather than overwhelming your space with decorations.

Mindful Meal Planning

The Christmas feast is often a highlight of the holiday season, but it can also generate a lot of food waste. Mindful meal-planning can help:

• Create a menu for the festive period and shop accordingly

Photo by Diliara Garifullina on Unsplash

• Estimate how much food you need based on the number of guests and aim to reduce leftovers. Encourage guests to bring their own containers for leftovers.

• Support local farmers by purchasing seasonal produce. This reduces the carbon footprint of transporting food while ensuring freshness.

• Compost your food scraps (no dairy, fatty foods or meat).

We admit that a low-waste Christmas can be more effort but it’s worth it. Not only is it good for the planet but it’s really satisfying too. By planning ahead and making conscious choices, we can enjoy the holiday season while minimizing our environmental impact. This festive season let’s celebrate sustainability and create lasting memories without the excess waste. With a little planning and creativity, we can have a joyful and eco-friendly Christmas!