Christmas preparations will soon be in full swing, but whilst it is a unique and special time of the year, it is not always the most environmentally friendly. Here are a couple of simple things you can do to create an eco-friendly Christmas without missing out on creating and enjoying the festive magic.

1.

When sourcing your Christmas presents, we applaud you to use local shops and markets and support independent businesses. This way, you are not only cutting down on your carbon footprint; you are also more likely to find bespoke, and niche Christmas presents.

2.

Another great way to help the environment and to save some money is to make your presents. Use your talents to create a handmade gift, made with love. If you love baking, sewing, or painting, why not get creative this Christmas – your friends and family are sure to love it. Best of all, it will enable you to put your stamp on a gift.

3.

One of the things that creates the most waste is wrapping all the presents. Why not ditch paper altogether and wrap gifts this year in fabric or use present bags made from recycled materials. It is a great way to be a little greener and reduce waste this festive season.

4.

Christmas cards are another thing you can change this year to be a little more sustainable if you do not want to stop sending physical Christmas cards altogether to reduce waste. Why not opt for an e-card, writing an email, or giving someone a call if getting in touch with friends and family is important to you over the Christmas period. Desperate to write cards? Opt for a design on recycled paper.

5.

There are plenty of options for reusing and recycling in terms of any cards you receive – cutting off the front of a card for use as a postcard or gift tag next year are simple examples.

6.

If you are inviting many friends and family over for Christmas, do not use disposable cutlery, crockery, and cups as many of these are single-use plastic items that are non-recyclable and end up going straight to landfill.

7.

For many of us, advent calendars are a big, fun part of the build-up to Christmas. Rather than buying a calendar from your favourite chocolatier, why not consider making your own or purchasing an advent calendar that will last for many years? Below are a few simple ideas to inspire you.

8.

Food and drink is a massive part of Christmas so why not opt for organic alternatives. Choosing organic food and beverages reduces the impact of fertilisers and pesticides on the environment so, the products not only taste great but, are better for the environment.

9.

Instead of buying presents for friends and family, why not all group together and donate the money you would spend on gifts for each other to a charity that has a particular meaning for your family as Christmas is a time for sharing and giving.

10.

If you are going to use Christmas lights during the holiday season. We suggest using LED lights as they are more sustainable because they use less energy.