Christmas is a time for joy, fun and indulgence. But above all, it's about togetherness. In fact, hundreds of millions of us enjoy Christmas at the same time each year. The beauty of that collective celebration of our relationships with family and friends, unfortunately comes with a big environmental impact which can feel a bit overwhelming. With a few clever swaps and fun ideas, you can celebrate the season in style while keeping your carbon footprint in check. More than that, experimenting with a climate-friendly Christmas could lead to new habits for the rest of the year. Here's how to make this Christmas festive and environmentally friendly!
1. A Gift For Your Local Farmers
For a meal that supports local farmers while resulting in a better carbon footprint, prepare e meal made of local, and free-range meats (regenerative or organic) or experiment with plant-based alternatives - nut roasts and mushroom wellingtons are crowd-pleasers​. Reducing food waste is equally vital, so plan portions carefully and make sure to stick these leftovers in the fridge - they'll make delicious meals for the following days.
2. Cards That Keep Giving
The UK sends 150+ millions of Christmas cards each year. Why not switch to e-cards, or even a warm and thoughtful text message? If you receive cards, turn them into gift tags or ornaments. It’s a simple way to reduce waste while keeping the festive spirit alive​.
3. Wrap With a Twist
Ditch traditional wrapping paper for reusable or recyclable alternatives. Try the Japanese art of furoshiki - wrapping gifts in beautiful fabrics - or use newspaper and natural twine for a rustic look. If you're worried about looking like you're being cheap, make a deal in advance with your family and friends to use similar materials​!
4. The Gift of Experiences
Looking for the perfect present? Consider giving experiences over things. Whether it’s a spa day, cooking class, or a charity donation in their name, experiences are thoughtful, memorable, and free from packaging waste. For physical gifts, opt for sustainable items like vintage jewellery or second-hand books​.
5. Sustainable Christmas Trees
Real or fake? The answer depends on how you use them. A real tree, when recycled properly and sustainably produced, is generally more eco-friendly than an artificial one. For a truly green option, rent a living tree or keep a potted one to reuse year after year​.
6. Reusable Decorations
Christmas decorations don’t need to be single-use. Bring out the heirloom ornaments or craft your own from natural materials like dried orange slices and pinecones. They add a cosy charm while reducing waste.
7. Cracker Alternatives
Over 40 million Christmas crackers end up in UK bins every year. Reusable crackers filled with personal treats or homemade ones with thoughtful gifts are a delightful way to keep the tradition alive while cutting waste​.
8. Travel Smart
Visiting loved ones is part of the magic, but travel has a hefty environmental cost. Carpool where possible, use public transport, or combine trips to reduce emissions. If you’re flying, consider carbon offset schemes to balance out your journey​.
9. Fashionably Festive
Fast fashion at Christmas is a no-go. Instead, rewear your favourite festive outfit or explore charity shops for vintage finds. Sustainable doesn’t mean boring—it’s about giving new life to old favourites​.
10. Plastic-Free Packaging
With 114,000 tonnes of plastic ending up in landfills after Christmas, it’s time to say goodbye to unnecessary packaging. Shop at markets or stores that minimise plastic, and opt for refillable or compostable gift wraps​.
11. Be Home for Christmas
Hosting a big gathering? Shared meals and communal heating are far more energy-efficient. Close curtains early and turn down heating in unused rooms to save energy. Even small changes add up to make a big difference​.
12. Talk about it
It's always hard to be the one to come up with the twist or the new way of doing things - in many families, you might risk looking political or like you're spoiling the moment. Trying something new can sometimes be tough, even if it's as simple as trying a different wrapping material - a tradition is by definition supposed to last.
The thing is, Christmas is the perfect opportunity to change. You could host the Christmas meal at your place this year (with environmentally friendly meat and reusable crackers), or arrange some twists in advance with a few members of your family. Traditions last, until they change - for instance, a century ago, Father Christmas was wearing green. Time to bring him back!
Guilt-Free Christmas for All
With all that said, Christmas is sometimes thought of as a time for indulgence, where we forgive ourselves for over-eating or, for instance, overconsuming. If these steps are too much for you, make a deal with yourself: make it a reward for being disciplined the rest of the year, and focus on being as environmentally friendly as possible the 364 other days.
Alternatively, you could make it a testing ground for new eco-friendly habits. It is a time for indulgence but also a time of change, where we break the routine and have a unique celebration. If you choose that road, prioritise high benefit changes (choice of food, waste reduction, heating...), start small, and make the habits stick. It’s about progress, not perfection.
For businesses and membership organisations, a green Christmas is a chance to lead by example. Sustainable office parties, eco-conscious gifting, and thoughtful decorations can reduce impact and inspire employees and members. These efforts can set the tone for a year of better practices.
With these exciting twists, you can treat the holidays as an opportunity for an even better Christmas. Cheers to a Christmas that’s merry, bright, and green!
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