Go green this Christmas

It's possible to have a really wonderful Christmas and be environmentally responsible, too. Here are some great ideas on how you can care for the planet while you celebrate. 

Cards

Consider sending cards made from recycled materials or send an e-card instead. Friends of the Earth offer a free e-card service at www.foe³.co.uk. Don't forget to recycle your cards, too. WH Smith and most supermarkets will have Christmas card recycling points.

Alternatively, you can re-use cards by turning them into gift tags for next year. Simply cut out festive motifs⁴ from the cards using pinking shears⁵ to create a decorative⁶ edge, then punch a hole in one end of each piece of card, and thread with ribbon that can be tied to gifts. And rather than buying a bunch, why not make your own?

Gifts

See our green gift guide

A good ecological⁷ option is to buy gifts that have been made from recycled materials. Try www.ecotopia.co.uk for stylish⁹ recycled-glass vases and toys, or www.recyclenow.com for green gifts, like handbags made from reclaimed¹⁰ leather and jewellery made from old carrier bags. For a no-packaging, no-waste present, treat someone to an experience gift, such as a spa day or theatre tickets. When it comes to any unwanted gifts you've received, don't throw them away, take them to a charity shop, or see if other people want them by posting them on www.freecycle.org, a non-profit organisation¹¹ that aims to reduce landfill sites by providing a place where people can give and receive belongings¹² for free.

Giftwrap

If you want to be super-green, wrap presents in recycled or brown paper, which can look very stylish when teamed with a pretty ribbon. Alternatively, Natural Collection sells paper made from raffia fibres, which means that no trees were cut down to make it. After the festivities are over, recycle your giftwrap or, if your local authority doesn't accept wrapping paper for recycling, re-use it. To make this easy, tie parcels with string rather than sticky tape. The paper won't get torn and you can fold it loosely and store with your decorations for use again next year.

Christmas tree

Real vs fake

If you can, buy a living Christmas tree that can be repotted. After the holidays, put it outside in a bigger pot so that it can be brought indoors again next year, or plant it in a permanent spot in the garden. And the tree doesn't have to be the only 'green' decoration. Holly¹³, ivy¹⁴, berries and twigs¹⁵ from your garden or local florist¹⁶ can be used for eco-friendly trimmings. Remember to compost them after the holiday and, if you buy a felled tree, compost that, too. Either chop it up finely and put it on your own compost heap, or contact your local council, which should collect it for composting.

Food & drink

Eat ethically¹⁷ this Christmas

Try to buy only what you need, as lots of waste is created with uneaten food. Taking a shopping list with you to the shops and sticking to it will help. Opt⁸ for local, seasonal¹⁸ food to cut down on food miles, which contribute to climate change. Buy loose rather than pre-packaged vegetables, put peelings on the compost heap and recycle bottles and cans. If you're throwing a party, don't use disposable plates or cutlery. If you don't have enough to go round, ask guests to bring some or borrow from neighbours.

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