The festive period is a time to unwind, connect and celebrate – but it can also create a lot of unnecessary waste as well as be unintentionally carbon intensive. By making a few thoughtful choices, you can enjoy a meaningful holiday while reducing your environmental impact. Here are some simple, creative and budget-friendly ways to make your celebrations more sustainable this year.
Make your own decorations from recycled materials
Homemade decorations add personality to your space and help cut down on waste. Try turning glass jars into tealight holders, using scrap paper for origami ornaments or making garlands from old magazines. It’s a fun way to get crafty and avoid buying plastic décor.
Come along to our Festive Decorations Workshop on Tuesday 9 December to join in!
Choosing sustainable treats
Whether you’re celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah or any other tradition, opt for sweets and snacks that come in bulk rather than single use wrapping. Look out for pick-and-mix stations, bakery counters or local refill shops like Deli-Llama. Choosing vegan sweet treats can be better too as many sweets can contain animal products that have a higher carbon footprint than plant-based ingredients.
Purchasing locally can also not only help to support local businesses but also reduce the emissions around transportation. You can also make your own sweet treats for a more personal touch or even make it into a fun activity with family or friends over the festive period!
Be thoughtful about gifting
Every year, so many unwanted gifts end up in landfill. Instead of buying something for the sake of it, choose gifts that genuinely add value and are things you know people want and need.
- Buy second-hand from charity shops or online pre-loved marketplaces. There are lots of good quality second hand items that can make great gifts.
- Make your own gifts – homemade bakes, preserves, knitted items and crafts often mean more than anything shop-brought. Taking the time to create something personal can be meaningful.
- Gift experiences such as a theatre trip, spa day, workshop, or donation to a cause they care about. Often people already have a lot of physical things, giving an experience-based gift can give them something enjoyable to do and create great memories too.
These options reduce waste, support community initiatives and often cost less.
Switch to soy wax candles
Traditional paraffin candles are made from fossil fuels. Soy wax burns more cleanly, offers great scent options and is widely available. For those celebrating Hannukah, or using candles for advent, choosing soy wax candles for your menorah is an easy sustainable switch. If you don’t use real candles, then look to use energy-efficient LED lights.
Try plant based and locally sourced meals
You don’t need to give up tradition entirely – simply swapping one or two dishes for veggie options lowers your carbon footprint and broadens your festive menu. Think mushroom wellington, roasted vegetable tarts or plant-based latkes. Buying local can also have its benefits, not only can you support local businesses and communities, but local produce can significantly reduce transport emissions.
Reuse
There are many reusable alternatives to often single use items. Instead of using single use advent calendars or dreidels, source reusable ones you can keep for each year’s celebration. You can even make your own to create more sentimental items that can be carried on in festive tradition.
Get creative with your wrapping
Gift wrap is often coated in glitter or plastic and can’t be recycled. Try these alternatives:
- Use newspaper or brown kraft paper and personalise with homemade stamps.
- Save and iron last year’s wrapping paper to reuse. Often a lot of wrapping can be made useful again.
- Wrap gifts in gifts – scarves, tote bags, T-shirts, and fabric squares make great reusable wraps. They can also be part of the gift you give!
And Finally
Sustainable celebrations don’t have to be complicated. By making a few conscious choices, you can enjoy a meaningful festive season that’s kinder to the planet.