Christmas is, as they say, the most wonderful time of the year – full of good food, family moments, and thoughtful gifting. But it’s also a season when it’s easy to fall into the ‘more is more’ mindset, which brings a fair share of waste. But a few simple tweaks can help you keep all the magic, minus the excess, so here we’re sharing our favourite easy sustainable tips to try this year.
Choose timeless festive decorations
When it comes to festive decorating, go for pieces you’ll use year after year. Opt for natural materials where you can – fabric, wood, glass or metal all stand the test of time. Dried orange slices and cinnamon sticks also make beautiful, scented additions to the tree. And if your taste has changed since last Christmas, try repurposing what you already have: repainting old baubles in new colours and patterns is a fun way to give them new life without buying more.
Gift something you know they’ll treasure
For gifting, think less but better: choose one thoughtful, well-made item that will genuinely be used and loved. If you’re unsure of someone’s taste, a gift card is often kinder (and less wasteful) than guessing wrong. Try to avoid gifts with excessive, hard-to-recycle packaging and look for options with minimal wrapping instead. And if your list is feeling long, a Secret Santa gift exchange is a great way to keep things thoughtful without overbuying.
Opt for fresh foliage over faux
Forage what you can from the garden or local woods to add natural festive touches to bannisters, mantelpieces and table settings. Don’t be tempted to decorate too early though – mid-December works well to keep everything from drying out before the big day. Although single-use napkins and tablecloths can be tempting when hosting big groups, natural fabric table linens are always the way to go. For the unavoidable red wine or cranberry sauce stains, our care guide has all the answers.
DIY your festive gifts
There’s something extra special about a homemade present – from paper decorations (paper chains are everywhere this year) and fabric stockings to knitted goodies if you’re the crafty type. If baking is more your thing, our festive cranberry syrup and melt-in-the-mouth snowball cookies always go down a treat.
Waste not this Christmas
Food waste is an issue year-round, but especially at Christmas. Plan ahead and be realistic about how many pigs in blankets and mince pies you actually need. Freeze what you can and make the most of leftovers (let’s be real, they’re often the best bit!). Bonus points for choosing seasonal fruits and veggies and shopping local – a great way to cut those Christmas food miles.
Rethink your wrapping
The amount of wrapping paper we go through at Christmas can be staggering. A simple – and rather lovely – alternative? Furoshiki, the Japanese art of wrapping gifts in cloth (see last year's guide on Instagram). You can even use something practical, like our linen tea towels, which double as both gift and wrapping! Get in the habit of saving ribbons, gift tags and cards to repurpose year after year.
Fill your home with natural scent
If you love your home smelling like Christmas, opt for natural wax candles instead of paraffin. They burn cleaner, last longer, and release their fragrance more gently. Add a scented winter candle to the living room, line the dining table or mantelpiece with tapered candles, or scatter tealights around the room to create that cosy, seasonal atmosphere.
