Max’s Top Tips for Being Sustainable at Christmas

With the winter break just around the corner, it’s easy to get swept up in the excitement of Christmas, but it’s important to take a step back and think about the choices you make. Christmas often involves excessive waste and unnecessary purchases. Making some small changes can make a big difference to your environmental impact and your bank account! So, check out my five top tips for how to be more sustainable at Christmas. 

Gift experiences or eco-friendly gifts! 

Christmas often encourages us to buy gifts for others just for the sake of buying them something. You don’t have to do this! Consider buying someone an experience instead of a physical gift that might go unused. Or, if you’d prefer to give a physical gift, it’s completely okay to make something, regift something you don’t need, or to buy something from a charity shop. Remember that gift-giving doesn’t have to be about how much you spend or how new something is – thoughtful gifts are better than expensive ones and can often end up saving you money. 

Wrap gifts responsibly! 

Not all wrapping paper is recyclable as they are sometimes mixed with plastic, foil and/or glitter. Even if they are recyclable, wrapping paper is still made with the purpose of it being disposed of. Instead of buying wrapping paper, try wrapping gifts in old newspaper, fabric scraps or reusable bags to cut down on unnecessary waste. And if you’re given something in a gift bag, don’t throw the bag away – keep it for the next time that you’re giving a gift to someone else! 

Minimise food waste 

Food is a major part of Christmas celebrations, but we often end up buying a lot more than we need! Plan ahead to avoid overbuying and focus on buying food that will actually get eaten, not food that you feel you have to buy “because it’s Christmas”. Store leftovers appropriately and use them creatively to make the most of what's left from your Christmas dinner! Also, you could consider including some plant-based alternatives, did you know meat - especially beef and lamb, have high carbon footprints? 

Make your own decorations! 

Buying new decorations can cost you, but making your own or reusing decorations from other events can save you money. You could create your own using things you already have or go out on a walk to see what you can find in nature (like branches, twigs and pinecones)! You could repurpose old bottles and jars, make paper garlands or use old fabric. Get creative – homemade decorations can be much more personal than store-bought ones. 

Shop locally and sustainably 

When buying a gift, support local businesses and markets to reduce emissions from long-distance shipping. If you are buying something online, keep an eye out for companies that use more sustainable methods like minimal packaging, eco-friendly delivery, or ethical practices. Also don’t forget to check if you can use a student discount to save yourself a bit of money! 

Just by making a few small changes, you can enjoy the festive season while also looking after the planet. Wishing you a sustainable Christmas! 

Max, Sustainability Officer