Zero Waste Christmas

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, but it can also be the most wasteful time of the year. The amount we choose to either recycle or discard has a huge impact on our environment. However, with all the buzz and excitement of the festive period, it is unlikely that most of us will even have time to think about how much waste we are producing.

Here are some small changes you can consider this year to help celebrate a more mindful, sustainable and environmentally conscious Christmas.

Gift an Experience

Each year, the average UK adult will spend around £330 buying Christmas presents, however, approximately £42 million of unwanted Christmas presents in the UK end up in landfill. So, to combat any potential waste why not gift someone an experience. Theatre or concert tickets or even a membership to an art gallery or The National Trust can make thoughtful gifts that also give a loved one something to look forward to after the festive period has ended. It’s all about creating memories rather than gifting unwanted items.

Older people are often keen to reduce the amount of ‘stuff’ they have in the house and so giving a memorable day, theatre, musical or dance experience can be just the ticket!

Gift something edible

If you had your heart set on gifting something physical, you could consider gifting something edible. Jars of chutney, loose-leaf tea or flavoured alcohol bought from local businesses make thoughtful, delicious and eco-friendly presents. For something homemade, you could gift chocolate truffles and festive biscuits in a reusable, decorative tin, or, if you are feeling particularly ambitious, why not try making your own gingerbread house?

In gifting a homemade item, you are also giving the precious gift of time. Your time and you can be sure that the recipient will appreciate it.

Here are some ideas for gifting biscuits at Christmas:

BBC Good Food Shortbread – a classic which almost everyone loves: https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/shortbread_1290

Christmas Chocolate Cookies by Nigella Lawson [a child and family favourite]

Chocolate and Green Pea Flour Cookies by Carol Kearn and featured on Hodmedod’s website. This is an unusual, but simple recipe for sumptuous gluten-free cookies.

Wrapping Paper

The average UK household will get through four rolls of wrapping paper each year. Did you know that most gift wrapping paper is coated in plastic, which means it can’t be recycled? Instead, try wrapping presents in newspaper or parcel paper with ribbons and twine, which can still can look just as festive. After all, if brown paper packaging tied up with string is good enough for the Sound of Music, then it’s good enough for us!

You can also make your own gift tags either by re-using old cards, or simply cutting a nice shape out of the brown paper and tying it to your gift. A handwritten gift tag [why not google nice handwriting or pop onto Etsy for inspiration) with the name of the recipient written large in a special font, can make someone feel very special. Search for hand written gift tags on google for ideas.

You could also take inspiration from the Japanese tradition of Furoshiki, and wrap gifts in reusable, patterned fabric. How lovely!

Homemade Decorations

Instead of buying new decorations each year to spruce up your tree, why not try making your own? This is a great activity to involve children and could be the start of a wonderful new family tradition. In an era of technology, going back to some simple crafts and decorations can set the tone and help to make everyone feel very festive.  Remember paper chains? Those simple strips of paper stuck together to create a chain. Stars and snowflakes are also easy to make out of simple white paper. Google ‘how to make a large paper star’ to find tutorials on making hanging stars for your house.

The decorations would also make great presents for loved ones. For an eco-friendly theme, you could upcycle items around your home or use items found in nature like pinecones. For something more fragrant, try incorporating dried orange slices and cinnamon sticks.

Cutting some small sprigs of holly, spruce and other greenery and adding a few sticks of cinnamon, the odd ribbon you have lying around can make for a very lovely centrepiece if bunched together or stuck into an old oasis (used for flower arranging).

Oranges make for beautiful decorations if pierced with cloves and hung with a coloured ribbon. Either cover the entire orange or put cloves in lines from top to bottom. Be sure to leave enough room for a nice ribbon so you can hang this fragrant decoration from your tree or elsewhere in the house.  Small dried slices of orange are easy to make at home. These will make a garland or tree decorations. Just make sure to dry them out slowly and completely. You can do this in the oven at a low heat or pop them on a paper towel on top of your radiator. The orange scent wafting throughout will make your house smell of Christmas.

Re-use Last Years Wrapping

It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of Christmas and toss out last year’s wrapping paper or gift bags without a second thought, but instead of discarding them, why not give them a second life this holiday season? Gently used gift bags, bows, and even wrapping paper can often be reused, saving both money and resources. Simply fold up the paper neatly and store it for next year, or use it for smaller gifts. For bags, you can always swap out the tags or add a personal touch with a handwritten note. It’s a small change that makes a big difference in reducing waste!

Make your own wreath

Why buy a plastic wreath when you can create your own one with materials right from nature? Crafting a wreath from real foliage is a wonderful way to add a personal and eco-friendly touch to your home. Use a wire frame and weave in sprigs of holly, ivy, fir, or eucalyptus for a fragrant and beautiful design. For a festive pop of colour, add pinecones, dried orange slices, or cinnamon sticks. Not only will your wreath look beautiful on your door, but it will also compost easily when the season is over – leaving no waste behind! Plus, it’s a fun, hands-on activity that can bring the whole family together.

Find out more about how to make your own Christmas Wreath here.