With Christmas just around the corner, you might already be getting into the festive spirit – shopping for presents, ordering your tree, planning your dinner menu, and so on.
The holidays can be a great time to relax, recharge, and make memories with your family.
Yet, unfortunately, the celebrations many of us enjoy this time of year can also result in unnecessary household waste and harm to the environment. Indeed, data published by GWP Group reveals that the UK wastes around 3 million tonnes of Christmas packaging and 4.2 million Christmas dinners every year.
Happily, a growing number of consumers are prioritising sustainable choices. According to research published by PwC, 46% of people in the UK say they are buying more eco-friendly products and 80% are willing to pay more for sustainable goods, despite the current cost of living crisis.
So, if you’re eager to make a difference this year, hosting a greener Christmas could be one of the best presents you could give to the environment.
Read on to discover five practical tips for an eco-friendly festive season.
1. Choose eco-friendly wrapping
Research by GWP Group found that Brits throw away the equivalent of 108 million rolls of wrapping paper every Christmas – enough to reach the moon.
You could significantly reduce the amount of waste your household produces this year by opting for eco-friendly wrapping.
Fortunately, there are plenty of options to choose from, including:
- Recycled and recyclable paper – Why not have fun with your children or grandchildren decorating scrap paper to create a unique design?
- FSC-certified paper – Products certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) as meeting their 10 principles for sustainable forestry.
- Fabric gift wrap – Create a luxurious look and feel to your gifts by wrapping them in fabric that can be re-used. You could experiment with any fabric you have at home, such as scarves and tablecloths.
- Jute or tote bags – These are not only a fantastic and simple way to wrap Christmas presents, but also a bonus gift that can be used throughout the year for shopping or taking items to work.
You could add a finishing flourish to your beautifully wrapped gifts by adding foraged treasures, such as holly sprigs and pinecones – a much more sustainable choice than glitter and plastic.
2. Avoid giving “throwaway gifts”
The GWP Group data reveals that the UK spends £700 million on unwanted Christmas gifts each year.
You could help to reduce this waste by focusing on quality over quantity. Think carefully about what the recipient of your gift might value and treasure for a long time, rather than rushing to buy something for the sake of it.
Another great idea is to choose an experience as a gift. For example, if you know your granddaughter loves animals, a family trip to the zoo with a VIP animal encounter or a “junior zookeeper” experience could be a fantastic choice.
3. Shop locally
Amid the busyness of preparations for Christmas, it may be convenient to hop online or zip to your nearest retail park to stock up on gifts and essentials.
Yet, shopping locally could be an eco-friendlier choice.
Smaller-scale businesses generally consume less energy for storage, manufacturing, and transportation than larger companies. What’s more, if you head to the shops on foot, you won’t be contributing to greenhouse gases, either through driving or paying an online store to deliver your goods.
Small and independent businesses need all the support they can get in the current economic climate. So, taking the time to spend your Christmas pounds locally could not only help the planet but also provide valuable support to your local community.
4. Reduce your food waste
Preparing and enjoying food together is often one of the greatest joys of Christmas.
However, reducing the amount of food you throw away during the holidays might be one of the most effective and straightforward ways to reduce your carbon footprint this year.
Planning ahead and being realistic about how much food you need could mean that a lot less ends up in the bin.
Also, think about how to make the most of leftovers. Make sure you have plenty of food containers, clingfilm, and foil to parcel up leftovers so that they can be enjoyed another day. This could also cut down on the amount of time you need to spend in the kitchen and allow you to spend more of the holidays relaxing with your family.
5. Opt for vintage partywear
Creating a sustainable Christmas isn’t just about what food and gifts you buy.
When the party season begins, you might find yourself in a social whirl of Christmas events. From office parties and drinks with the neighbours, to school discos for the children and grandchildren, your calendar may look considerably fuller than it does during the rest of the year.
While it may be tempting to treat yourself and your family to new outfits and accessories, making the most of items you already own or buying vintage items might be a more sustainable choice.
You could also host a clothes swap party for your close friends and family. This might be a fun way to spend time with loved ones in the run up to Christmas while also refreshing your wardrobe in an eco-friendly way.
Get in touch
If you’re keen to make your finances green as well as your Christmas, we can help you explore options such as green pensions and ESG investment funds that align with your values.
To find out more, please get in touch either by email at helpme@aspirellp.co.uk or by calling 0117 9303510.
Please note
This article is for general information only and does not constitute advice. The information is aimed at retail clients only.
A pension is a long-term investment not normally accessible until 55 (57 from April 2028). The fund value may fluctuate and can go down, which would have an impact on the level of pension benefits available. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.
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