%20copy%202.png)
Black Friday is done, yet many retailers are still flashing big twinkling offers at us, to ‘buy now’, in time for Christmas. Understandably so; it’s been a challenging year, and buying stuff solves a lot of last-minute panics for us busy professionals and in a way, helps to drive the economy.
I am often one of those people rushing last minute to buy gifts, feeling defeated by the amount of plastic packaging and, in my case, children's gifts from unsustainable sources.
So how can we create a more sustainable Christmas and find a circular way of gifting, all year-round? Here are some suggestions which I haven’t fully adopted yet but am working towards.
1. To tree or not to tree?
Maybe a plastic second-hand Christmas tree for life is the most sustainable route (thoughts?), but as a passionate plantsperson, I rented a living tree from a local Christmas tree rental hub. You need to be local, and you need to water it daily, to ensure it can be returned to the farm afterwards, but it’s a great system. When we aren’t here, we roll the rental over and re-use sparkly twigs covered in lights and decorations, which delights the kids just as much as a disposable tree does.
2. Dress to impress the planet
I’m sure many of you are fans of circular fashion pre-loved sites such as Vinted. Both of my children’s Christmas jumpers and pyjamas came from there, as did an angel costume for the nativity. This year, it will be some onesies that they will grow out of by March, so why buy new?
For adults, try Vestiairefor second-hand luxury goods and designer rentals. For that all-important party season outfit, I like HURR. It feels better than buying new things that feel like old things anyway by January.
Furthermore, whether you’re a child, or an adult hitting a 90s rave-themed office party this season, bio-glitter is the eco-friendlier alternative to avoid adding more plastic to the environment.
3. Ten more ways to shop mindfully
We've ditched the ‘cheap stuff’ staff secret Santa this year and opted to support a great regional cause which will instead provide gifts to women and children who have escaped domestic abuse or poverty. But when it comes to how we shop for each other this year, there are lots of gifts that can inspire a different conversation:
1. Etsy supports local craftspeople, and many of the gifts are sustainable alternatives to plastic gifts and come in thoughtful packaging, too.
2. Subscription websites such as The Bike Club, where you can wrap up a bike for a child and either pay it off over time or send it back for a new one when they’ve outgrown it.
3. Opt for paper, straw, wool, clay and wooden decorations to hang on your tree; many local stores are running wreath and decoration making classes for all ages, which is a great thing to do with friends or family.
4. For celebratory beverages whatever your drinking preferences, try ordering a case from your local vineyard, press or distillery, keeping shipping carbon footprints smaller.
5. Gift your time and spend it together; choose events over vouchers and objects. Whether it’s the local panto, or the Royal National Opera’s Nutcracker, there are things you can do together or alone; some of the best gifts I’ve received have been Christmas wreath making, art, culinary and dancing classes, right on my doorstep.
6. Sponsoring an animal in captivity and visiting your local nature reserve or park to see it, is a great way to engage kids at Christmas with the things that matter and to get them outdoors in the New Year. That, and litter pickers (really, I hear you say??) which can genuinely entertain them for ages on those long Boxing Day walks.
7. Donations to good causes and understanding what someone you love really values from a charitable-giving perspective, can demonstrate you care.
8. Make something yourself; yes, it takes time, a precious commodity for busy professionals. Instead of watching re-runs of Christmas classics, draw a picture or make that wobbly and weird scarf you’ve been meaning to finish for a relative.
9. Who didn’t get an air fryer in 2024? Whether you’re an Omnivore or Herbivore, dehydrate some delicious stocking fillers. Likewise, get pickling. It’s cheap, easy to do and a label with ‘Made by Me’ adds a personal touch.
10. It’s a wrap! What do you wrap sustainable gifts in? If you don’t have room to store and re-use gift bags and paper, choose recycled wrapping paper, or channel your inner Julie Andrews and go for recycled paper packages tied up with string. Washi tape is also a much better alternative to the plastic sticky stuff.
If all else fails, picking just one of these more sustainable options will help you on the path to Christmas not costing the Earth.
I hope this has inspired you to implement small changes this season. But as we are all busy and would benefit from inspiration, I’d be delighted to hear how you will celebrate gift giving while respecting the delicate balance of the wonderful world we live in.
