Real or Fake? Some Ideas for a Sustainable Christmas

The recent storms are challenging our farmers and growers.  I love shopping at local farm shops for fresh, locally grown goodies. It cuts down on transportation emissions and supports small businesses. They often have unique, eco-friendly gift options too, like handmade crafts or homemade jams. This is my favourite literally just down the road. https://ourfarm2yourfamily.co.uk/

Homemade and upcycled gifts are my jam. Think hand-knit scarves, jars of preserves, or cool crafts from reclaimed wood. If you’re creative, giving new life to old clothes, furniture, or accessories feels so rewarding. Or give experiences instead of stuff; treat friends to lunch, tickets to local panto, meet for a walk with a flask of hot chocolate and brownies for refreshment. I prefer to donate to local charities and I volunteer during the holidays, though I appreciate not everyone has the time; it feels good to give back. Shopping at artisan markets or charity shops, looking for sustainable brands is another way to support my community while finding unique gifts.

I try to stick to eating seasonal fruits and veggies, it’s better for the planet and helps local farmers. Plus, seasonal stuff like squash, root vegetables, winter greens and citrus fruits usually cost less and taste amazing. Subscribing to a local veg box has been a game-changer for my daughter (I get dibs too!). It’s a great way to get fresh, seasonal produce with less packaging, and it supports sustainable farming. Try one in your area, this is one my daughter subscribes to ODDBOX

Giving seed packets as gifts is eco-friendly, mindful and encourages friends to grow their own food or flowers. Herb, vegetable or flower seeds that can thrive on a windowsill or in a back garden are my stocking fillers. Larger gifts such as amaryllis, planters and bowls of bulbs last longer than bunches of flowers or even that Christmas tree.

Speaking of which, do you choose real or fake? When it comes to trees, I go for a real one. If it’s responsibly sourced, I know it’s biodegradable and can be recycled into mulch. But if you’re into fake trees, just make sure it’s something you’ll use for years since they’re made from non- biodegradable materials. Switching to LED lights for Christmas decorations has saved so much energy, and they last longer too. Although more expensive to start with, I also use rechargeable batteries for toys and gadgets to cut down on waste.

Forget regular wrapping paper! I like using recycled paper, fabric, or even old maps or newspapers to wrap gifts. For ties, natural fibres like coloured twine or jute string are way better than synthetic ribbons and can be reused tying up plants in the garden. Recycling gift wrap and cards, or using fabric wraps, also helps cut down on trash.

For dinnertime pizazz, dressing up the table with proper crockery and cutlery, cloth napkins look classy! Often it means someone doing the washing up (or stacking the dishwasher). But that too in itself can be a welcome respite from the hubbub.

Sometimes the sight of yet more food overwhelms us. Those holiday leftovers are perfect for adding to soups, stews, or casseroles. I store them in reusable containers to avoid wasting good food and pop them in the fridge or freezer. The recent weather has bedraggled my typical natural decorations like pinecones, branches, and dried fruit I use to make my house look festive. So I shall stick to LED lights and reuse old decorations instead of buying new ones this year.

Whichever sustainable action you choose, I wish you a very enjoyable (environmentally) friendly Christmas.

image by Ukrainian photographer 

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