We're dreaming of a green Christmas...

With environmental awareness now calling into question our habits and customs of old, many of us are wondering how we can celebrate Christmas in a greener, more sustainable way. Here are our top tips.

We all know Christmas is a traditional celebration, with its well-regulated rituals and long-established formalities. So why not continue our new, more responsible consumer habits as we celebrate this festive event? Giving the gift of sustainability by avoiding overconsumption and unnecessary waste. Here are a few top tips for making the festive season a fabulous - and greener - affair.

Make your own Christmas tree

One thing's for sure, the ‘real vs fake’ Christmas tree debate hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down this year. Sadly, neither option is a sustainable solution when it comes to environmental impact. The first affects the soil through its intensive farming and use of pesticides, while the other pollutes through its manufacture and transport, which produces a greater quantity of CO2 than the natural fir. So, why not opt for a DIY Christmas tree made of wood, fabric or cardboard?! Get those creative juices flowing…

Avoid over-catering

In the run-up to the festive period, scouring the shops for decorations to adorn your tree or house is often part of the ritual. Decorative items like tinsel, baubles or wreaths, can often easily be made by hand with recycled materials at home. With twigs as stars, dried flowers as baubles or even scraps of fabric for wreaths. A little ingenuity can lead to something truly special and unique!

Craft your decorations

In the run-up to the festive period, scouring the shops for decorations to adorn your tree or house is often part of the ritual. Decorative items like tinsel, baubles or wreaths, can often easily be made by hand with recycled materials at home. With twigs as stars, dried flowers as baubles or even scraps of fabric for wreaths. A little ingenuity can lead to something truly special and unique!

Abandon traditional gift wrap

Wrapping paper is an obvious source of waste that could easily be avoided. Note that gift wrap is very rarely recyclable because of the plasticised or glittery materials and decorations that cover it. So although ripping off the paper feels like part of the Christmas magic, you can also enjoy the beauty of chic and stylish packaging in reusable fabric. There are even workshops available to help you master this art, of Japanese origin.

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