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How to have an eco-Christmas

Our top tips to enjoy the festive season without costing the planet!

Choose your gifts carefully

Buying gifts can be a challenge at the best of times, but don’t panic! Gifting planet-friendly presents isn’t as tough as you might think – here are some tips to help you along the way:

  • Gift an experience or membership rather than things - especially for those who already 'have it all'! One option is Yorkshire Wildlife Trust membership (or your local Wildlife Trust!) which will give your loved ones unforgettable wild experiences and support Yorkshire's amazing wildlife and wild places at the same time!
     
  • Make something yourself! The internet is full of ideas for homemade presents that are easy to do, and you don't need to be an expert crafter or baker! From bath products to baking and knitting to photo albums, homemade gifts can often feel more personal. Use nice jars, old scarves or fabric, or other reusable materials with a bit of ribbon and a handwritten label for eco-friendly packaging.
     
  • Where possible, buy products from small, local businesses and charities. Many charities have an online shop stocking a range of lovely gifts meaning your presents will go twice as far! If you can't avoid buying from bigger companies, see if they're part of a scheme which gives back to charity, such as Amazon Smile or Give as you Live.
     
  • Buy gifts made from sustainable or recycled materials that will last a long time! From clothes to puzzles and jewellery to home accessories, there are lots of innovative companies who prioritise eco-friendly materials, production and deliveries. Our Hebridean wool blankets are spun in Yorkshire with wool from our grazing flock of rare breed Hebridean sheep.
     
  • For someone who is trying to reduce their own carbon footprint, why not put together a zero-waste kit? Think about including things like a portable cup, a biodegradable lunchbox, or some wax food wraps. Or we've got one ready-made in our shop!
     
  • It's all too tempting to buy little novelties as stocking fillers, but often they're forgotten about by New Years Eve. Have a look through charity shops to see if they have what you need, or choose consumables like small bars of chocolates or miniatures!
Christmas cards

Cards and gift wrapping

Of course, choosing the gift is just the beginning – think before you wrap it up:

  • Shiny wrapping paper is pretty, but it’s not recyclable! The same goes for glittery paper. Use brown paper for a lovely vintage look.
     
  • Sellotape is made of plastic, but don’t panic! You can get brown paper tape, or get creative with some ribbon or string. Better yet, go for a reusable option like a box, bag, or cloth!
     
  • Don’t forget your Christmas cards while you’re at it – the same rules apply for glittery and shiny cards! Watch out for the plastic wrappers too, so try to find ones sold loose or packaged differently, or have a go at making your own (bonus points for recycling last year's cards!)
     
  • Save any Christmas cards and cut them up to use as tags for next year
Natural christmas decorations

Christmas decorations

Chances are you have a magical cupboard at home full of sparkly Christmas decorations that come out every year. If so, great! Make the most of what you have and don’t throw them out unless you have to! But, if you want to add something new, make sure you think about the following first!

  • Avoid tinsel! Those little bits that end up sprinkled all over the house are plastic. So why not have a go at making your own decorations? How about some bunting, origami or pinecone decorations
     
  • Reuse your Christmas tree 🎄 Buy a pre-loved fake one instead of a new one. Check out Freecycle , eBay  or Gumtree. You can also rent a tree. These trees are grown in special pots that can be dug up and replanted year after year. Check it is grown sustainably first. If you do have a real tree, look after it! Growing trees is always great but transporting and disposing of them isn't good for the environment. So look after your tree and reuse it year on year.
     
  • Get creative for nature. You could make your very own wreath that’ll feed the birds as well as looking great!
     
  • Turn off your Christmas lights overnight and when you are out of the house to save energy.
     
  • Avoid buying Christmas crackers which contain plastic toys. Instead make your own using toilet roll tubes, or look for a sustainable alternative. EcoShift are donating 6% of their profits to our Wildlife Recovery Fund, so buying their crackers is an extra bonus for wildlife!
     
  • Make your own natural decorations - holly leaves look fantastically festive and it's super easy to dry oranges in the oven!
How tomake eco decorations infograph
Christmas cakes

Enjoying Christmas food

Christmas is a time to eat, drink and be merry! But as a nation, we also waste a huge amount over the festive period. Here's how you can enjoy Christmas food without overdoing it:

  • Roughly plan your meals for the festive period, and try not to buy a huge excess of food! If you find you've got things that you won't manage to use, check out Olio or other food waste apps in your area.
     
  • Compost your vegetable waste
     
  • Make your ingredients go further! Think about making stock or gravy from your cuts of meat or preserving leftover fruits.
     
  • Embrace your leftovers - sometimes the best meals are combinations of leftover ingredients!
     
  • If you're using a recipe that has lots of ingredients that you might not use again, see if you've got a zero-waste shop near you. They're great for buying just the right quantity and not ending up with cluttered cupboards full of unused ingredients! 
     
  • Reduce your meat and increase your veggies! Meat has a big carbon footprint so consider some vegetarian or vegan alternatives. You don't have to have a fully plant-based meal to make a difference - just a few savvy swaps are a great way to get started!

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