Enjoy A Greener Christmas

Let’s make this holiday season extra special and more sustainable but not adding to the waste that accompanies, and can often, encompass it.

Here are a few tips from our founder Jeannie Pickering to make your festive season more conscious and more ‘present’ with family and friends:

Why not buy a real tree from a sustainable source and ensure that you recycle it once the holiday is over, or better still, rent one…

Give thoughtful gifts and avoid excessive packaging and plastic.  Even slow down with the gifts, make something instead of buying it, and if buying, support ethical, independent brands and aim to shop local.  In the words of Vivienne Westwood, ‘Buy well, choose well and make it last.’

Swap paper packing for fabric – reusable, simple and gorgeous.  Try the beautiful Japanese art of fabric wrapping.

Look for plastic-free stocking fillers, green beauty brands and reusable crackers.

Yes it’s time for turkey, hams and pigs in blankets, but also think about balancing your meat-based meals with amazing plant-based options.  Abel and Cole have some amazing vegan food boxes.

Avoid the non-recyclable elements of our traditional celebrations like glitter, foil and plastics.  Rethink your decorations – use family heirlooms or buy ones that will emerge year after year (that’s recycling), or better still make your own out of clay and natural objects.

Get outside and forage; you’ll find so many natural objects that can be used to decorate.  This will spark your creativity and imagination and you can do it as a family with everyone contributing.  Deck the halls with boughs of holly…perfect!

Even the smallest of changes can make a big difference in reducing our carbon and environmental footprint.

Enjoy the holidays, spend time with family and friends, be conscious, be mindful, be (the) present.

Jeannie Pickering