Written by Lisa Proffitt | 14th December 2021
With a global focus on climate change, more of us than ever are planning on being more environmentally friendly this Christmas. With a few simple swaps and some essential recycling tips we can enjoy all the trimmings of the festive season, save money and help the planet at the same time.
Here’s how to have yourself a very merry, eco Christmas:
Christmas Fairs attract small businesses and Waddesdon’s Christmas Fair, set against the backdrop of the floodlit Manor with its 20ft Christmas trees, is a perfect place to find those elusive special gifts and soak up some Christmas magic. If you can’t get to a physical place or shop, Protect the Planet is an online retailer of upcycled and eco-friendly giftware and there are hundreds of smaller independents who sell sustainable products through marketplaces like eBay and Etsy.
Wrapping paper made of foil or decorated with glitter cannot be recycled and will go straight to landfill. Glitter-free and foil-free gift wrap is more expensive so why not wrap gifts in tissue paper or brown paper tied up with string or raffia and decorated with a sprig of holly. On Christmas day, do the recycling scrunch test: if scrunched up paper stays scrunched it can be recycled. If it slowly opens up, throw it in the bin. An expensive, but even more environmentally friendly option, is to buy tissue paper with seeds embedded in it which can be planted in the garden.
If you already have a plastic tree then the most planet-friendly thing to do is make it last as long as possible. The Woodland Trust says the most environmentally friendly Christmas tree is one with roots, which can be planted in the garden and brought in for next year. If you are buying a felled tree, it should have accreditation from the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), which tells you that it has been grown sustainably and ethically.
Fairy lights, illuminated reindeer and Christmas trees blazing with garlands of lights are just what we need to feel festive, but they do guzzle electricity. LED lights use on average 75% less energy and can last up to 25 times longer. Not On the High Street, John Lewis and Lights4Fun have a great range this Christmas.
Decorations made from recycled wood, fabric and glass make great alternatives to plastic or PVC options that are non-recyclable. When buying new decorations, opt for classic designs that will be loved for years, as opposed to trend pieces like 2019’s pineapples and llamas that you'll be tired of by twelfth night.
Home-made wreaths: Foraging in the hedgerows for greenery and berries is one of the joys of Christmas in the country and Youtube have plenty of videos on how to make your home-made wreath look professional. If you’re heading to a Christmas tree farm, you can usually pick up a reasonably priced wreath there too.
We often start out with the best intentions, but it's all too easy to go overboard when it comes to Christmas gifts. One way to avoid falling into this trap is to gift an experience, for example a theatre or concert ticket, or take out membership of the WWF or RSPB, or a magazine subscription. The most sustainable way to approach Christmas is to simply buy less stuff, if anything at all.
In the current economic climate it’s more important than ever to buy British and support our local farmers. We have a huge number of fabulous farm shops in our region including Boycott Farm in Buckingham, Holme Farm in Hitchin, and Smiths Farm Shop in Chapel Brampton in Northampton. Support them if you can and when shopping in a supermarket choose loose vegetables and avoid plastic packaging wherever possible.
Soy and beeswax candles scented with essential oils are more popular than ever. Soy produces around 90% less soot than paraffin-based candles which makes them another positive choice for the environment. Vegan options are available too including all Yankee candles (except those with beeswax tapers) and Pacifica soy candles from Holland and Barrett. If you’re feeling creative, Hobbycraft sell kits to make your own.
And finally, don’t leave out reindeer food for Rudolf: The RSPCA has warned against buying “reindeer food” for sprinkling in the back garden on Christmas Eve. The commercially bought packages often contain plastics or glitter which is bad for wildlife. Instead, make your own with seeds and oats, or just leave out a carrot.
Do you have any more ideas for an eco-friendly Christmas? Please do share them on our social channels. And if you’re thinking of making a move somewhere new in 2022, we would love to help you sell your home. Please call your local Michael Graham office to talk to your local expert or get an online valuation of your home now.