Eco-friendly Christmas

[TrickOrTreaty]

I am really keen on being more eco-friendly this Christmas. Without being preachy or judgmental, can we share ideas about how to have a more environmentally-aware Christmas? I am sure I will end up buying plastic tat but what measures can we take to reduce waste and avoid unnecessary plastic and carbon footprint?

I start.

Big present for ds is a ticket to a show he wants to see.

Will try and find recycle wrapping paper.

What's better a reusable plastic tree or a 'proper' tree?

Sorry if this sounds all bandwagon like but even making small changes might be a positive step.

[firstimemamma]

I'm re-using wrapping paper and trying to stick with wooden toys instead of plastic ones.

Real tree is eco-friendly imo.

All feels a bit pointless and hopeless but hey ho.

[Barbarara]

There’s a thread running here with some good ideas.

[PrettyShiningPeople]

I seem to remember reading that an artificial tree is better if you use it for at least 10 years.

[Bluewavescrashing]

Brown paoer packages tied up with string... Or ribbon. Takes longer than using sellotape but they look so pretty.

No plastic tat in stockings.

Reduce number of gifts. Eg gifts from children to grandparents are unnecessary if you're already giving them something from you. Neighbours, colleagues, children's friends etc don't need presents.

If you have time, browse Facebook marketplace, ebay or charity shops for second hand gifts in excellent or new condition.

We don't do disposable advent calendars, Christmas eve boxes, December 1st boxes, elf in the shelf, Christmas bedding or Christmas pyjamas. I don't think they add anything to the occasion for us and it's just more stuff to buy and that will be outgrown eventually.

No Christmas cards or only for elderly relatives who appreciate them most (in our family).

We just buy one new bauble each every year from the garden centre and reuse everything else from the previous year. No changing colour schemes for the sake of it.

I've reused hamper baskets in the past and filled with consumables for hard to buy for relatives. No cellophane wrap, either a pretty scarf or some hampers have a lid so I tie with ribbon.

Haven't really done homemade presents before except fudge for teachers. That was really easy.

[TrickOrTreaty]

Thank you some great ideas. Buying second-hand hadn't occurred to me but makes sense. I'll check the other thread barbara. I do love a real tree, plastic seems a bit depressing to me, somehow. I also like the idea not to use sellotape but string.

[FriedasCarLoad]

We’ll have a real tree - we live close to a huge Christmas tree farm, and I understand that mileage is key to which type of tree is better. But frankly I’d go for a real tree anyway.

In place of wrapping paper - brown parcel paper decorated with red and green by my toddler!

Mostly 2nd hand gifts for baby and for me from husband.