To ask what you're doing to make your Christmas more simple/ethical?

[Quizeerascal]

Just that really. There's been a lot on social media in the media and in real life conversations about how we can make Christmas more simple, ethical, sustainable and I wanted to see what others on MN were doing. I've bought reusable wrapping paper for a relative who I think will appreciate it as well as buying toiletries from an ethical company, socks which donate to charity and shopping at farmer's markets/small businesses. I'm interested to hear others' ideas

Its really not virtue signalling from me, it is simply being sick of the waste every year. Buying stuff for buying sake.
If you ask any of my (grown up) family what I bought them for Christmas last year, I bet they could not remember more than one gift each.

It is just a sickening waste.

I’m using brown paper with stamps and fabric ribbon or string for a second year now. Only use glue sticks to seal them (bought them 5 years ago, so need to use them up before getting anything more eco friendly). Also reusing gift bags where we can.
With sisters and their partners we did secret Santa this year, so everyone gets something they actually want or need, not pile of crap. Hopefully.
Also we’re buying a small Christmas tree in the pot and will try to keep it alive to reuse next year.

As a child in the 1970s we always saved wrapping paper, saved the cards to turn into gift tags,
we went wrong somehow

I am quite pleased with the shampoo bar i got for dd from lush

Not driving for hours to see family, putting ourselves under stress as well as the car

The main thing for me is trying to buy from local businesses and suppliers as far as possible.

I've got recyclable Christmas crackers this year which aren't filled with plastic tat. I've also got some second hand gifts and handmade gifts. I reuse all my Christmas decorations. My baubles are all individually picked over the years. I've not gone overboard with the presents this year. And I'm making Christmas stockings for the family rather than buying them.

It’s not ‘virtue signalling’ , none of the changes we are making are inconveniencing us at all or interfering with s good time.

For years I have felt sick looking at the mountain of bin bags after Christmas.

Brown paper wrapping with candy cane string (SO cute, Amazon for £6 a roll)

Actually really thinking about what we're buying

• Do we need it?
• Will the DC use it?
• Will it last till next Christmas?
• What can we donate instead of just binning?

We've spent a bit more in the process, but I'm confident every single present I've bought will be well received and not end up in the bin within a few months.

We've also not done advent calendars and I made my own Pom Pom baubles because I was sick of the DC breaking the plastic ones (both have ASD and find it very sensory!)

Bleating about all this being ‘virtue signalling’ is frankly just lazy. And going on about ‘having a rest from it for one day’ with tinsel, foil and plastic shite because it’s Christmaaaas is selfish and really rather childish. Like: screw the planet, screw the kids’ futures, I want that disposable tat NOW.

None of us who are doing brown paper or eating less meat are depriving ourselves of fun. We’re just being a bit more careful about it.

Locally produced meat, veg, cheese, milk, cream; locally made bread, cakes etc

Unfortunately, family is 250 miles away, so we will be driving 500 + miles, but then we will but be heating and lighting our house fir a week.

Re-using gift tags and wrapping is a tiny gesture but it does nothing to tackle the real issues of greed, waste and grotesque consumerism at Christmas.

Only buying less stuff, ideally much, much less will make a real difference.

I do not think it is virtue signaling. It is really making a difference (at least if many people do it).

We are living in times when we must all do our bit and work together for the future of our kids. Don’t you really realize that?

If I buy local but fly to the Caribbean twice e year buying local might be virtue signaling but otherwise is just doing our bit and making a small difference.

Nada
Nothing
Zilch

Reusable advent calendar for children - most days have xmas related activities/crafts/baking rather than chocolates in them. This works because my children are preschool age and I am home with them most days, appreciate that isn't case for a lot of others

Decorations made from above activities and last years being used and no new ones being bought

School xmas cards also made in above activities and no other cards given

Using up wrapping paper from last year and not buying any more - brown paper or gift bags

No xmas crackers

Opting out of work/friends secret santas as I end up giving and receiving rubbish that I don't need. Only participated in one with close friends where we set up a wishlist (don't wish for something too specific, eg asking for a mascara but not specifying brand so that part is chosen by someone else) - not as fun as don't have the guessing of who got what but at least I get something I have asked for

Kids get one thing to open on xmas day from us and that's all - mine are still toddlers and that much is more than enough. Any more is just overwhelming for them. We put focus on enjoying magic of Xmas over the month of Dec instead - so panto trips, visiting Hamelys, ice skating with oldest, winter wonderland etc. Hope to continue this as they get older rather than giving multiple gifts

No gifts for adults. DH and I randomly buy each other things throughout the year anyway and for Xmas we treated ourselves to a theatre trip and fine dining experience.

Loving reading everyone elses and getting more ideas for next year

Almost all the children’s presents are second hand; wrapping in brown paper and string; not wrapping stocking presents; only a couple of presents for adults; reusable advent calendar

Hand-made gifts, such as jams and condiments, crochet toys.
Less gifts in general, but definitely no plastic.
This year I got these lovely soaps for a few people, ethical, made in the UK and sustainable: www.blankasoap.com