While the festive season is about joy and sparkle, it can also be a time of excess waste. Coming up with ways to celebrate Christmas in a more sustainable manner will ensure we are kinder to the planet, while still embracing this magical time of year. Whether you reduce food waste or make your own decorations, any small change can make a big difference. Read on for more inspiration.

Sustainable Christmas trees
Unless you are going to keep an artificial tree for more than 10 years, a real Christmas tree is still the most sustainable option. To make it even more so, buy from a local FSC certified grower, then use your local council’s collection service to have it composted afterwards. The most sustainable option of all is to use a rent-a-tree service.

Get crafty
Make your own wreaths and decorations with sustainably foraged greenery, dried orange slices, fallen pine cones and recycled paper chains.

Ditch the glitter
Did you know that glitter is actually a microplastic, which can lead to entire batches of paper recycling being rejected? If you receive cards or paper with glitter on, tear this off before putting the remainder in the recycling bin.

Wrap it up
Instead of decorating your gifts with bought ribbons and bows, use natural twine, raffia or scraps of fabric. Make labels from last year’s cards, buy eco-friendly sticky tape and choose non-metallic gift wrap.

Buy independently
Reduce transport miles by shopping locally. We have some incredible independent shops here in Gloucestershire. Order from your local butcher, buy veg from the nearest greengrocer and treats from a deli or farmers’ market. Check out our article on Festive Feasting for more inspiration.

If you don’t have the time or inclination to make gifts, consider buying something from a local artist or craftsperson.

Gift with less packaging
If you want to reduce packaging, give your loved ones an experience to remember by buying vouchers for the local theatre, cinema or afternoon tea. Alternatively, gift a digital subscription for a magazine, audiobook or online course.

Quality, not quantity
If you’re a meat eater, try buying smaller quantities but better quality. Up the vegetable sides or offer a vegetarian alternative alongside the main centrepiece.

Waste not, want not
So much food gets thrown away over Christmas. Plan out your portion sizes in advance to try and avoid waste, but if you do over-order, freeze some for tasty leftovers in January. Bubble and squeak and turkey curry are also great ways to use up leftovers.

Why not make this the year you turn a sustainable Christmas into a new tradition for you and your family? By making mindful choices, such as reducing food and packaging waste, supporting local businesses and searching out more sustainable gifts, we can all embrace the true spirit of the season.

Wishing you a very merry Christmas!