Celebrate the season while reducing waste and embracing thoughtful choices for your home.
December has hit quickly; snow has already passed, and we are preparing for the colder months and festivities. And this month has so many exciting things in store, from Christmas and the New Year to winter walks and cosying up with a blanket. But one thing that many choose to do to kick off the festive season is decorating. Filling your home with lights, sparkles and a tree is a wonderful tradition that many choose to take part in for Christmas. But how can this be done in an environmentally friendly way?
Getting Crafty and Recycling
Colder weather is a perfect excuse to find things to do whilst in doors. Especially leading up to the school holidays for those with ecstatic children. In current times, while costs are better directed to other important utilities, it is sometimes a great idea to spend some time getting crafty and making homemade decorations instead of buying new. Here are some ideas:
- Give jam jars a new life by using acrylic paints, stickers, and of course – glitter to decorate, then choose from a tealight, fairy lights or even fill it with soil and add your favourite plant. This also could make for a lovely, personalised Christmas gift.
- Recycle old Christmas cards by snipping, cropping, and sticking them together to create all things festive such as a mural, or a whole new Christmas card, chain garland and more.
- Turn unused fabric scraps into festive bunting, ribbon for wrapping gifts, or ornaments by cutting shapes and stitching or gluing them together.
- Mix up some flour water and salt to create a dough for bauble making, use cookie cutters to get some festive patterns and acrylic paint to finish it off.
- Gather pinecones from your garden or a park and paint them to use as ornaments, table decorations, or a centrepiece.
If you have some free time and would like to create your decorations, there are lots of ideas to use or reuse items that you may already have in your home or gather from walks or trips you have outdoors. There are hundreds of blogs and websites that have many ideas that you can dive in and try.
Choosing the Right Tree for You
Christmas trees are the centre of decorating a home for Christmas. But why is it important to consider your choices when it comes to what kind of tree to get?
Buying a plastic Christmas tree has potential of making your carbon footprint up to four times more than if you buy a real tree, due to the process and materials used to make it. This heavily depends on getting the most use out of your Christmas tree. Fake trees, when used for numerous years, can reduce your carbon footprint, and save you quite a bit of money. It is important to remember that the bigger the tree, the bigger impact. Fake trees are not the only way to go, but it is a viable option depending on use.
Real Trees have their benefits too as they use significantly less resources to make and (most often) transport. Make sure to shop local for your tree; this not only reduces your carbon emissions, but it also supports local businesses. But do not forget to recycle your tree once the festive time is over and it is time for it to go. We offer a free collection service once the Christmas period is over.
Another exciting option is choosing to purchase a potted tree. This allows you to keep it potted and find a spot for it in your garden to enjoy all year long, not to mention save you money and keep that fresh smell of pine that really completes the festive feel.
Brighten Up with Some Lights
And is there anything that goes better than trees that beautiful sparkly lights? Make sure to make the right decision when it comes to shopping for Christmas lights. Consider switching to LEDs if you have not already, this can reduce energy costs as LEDs use up to 80% less energy than classic halogen lights. They also do not heat up, ensuring your tree is safe and no little hands will be hurt. 500 tonnes of Christmas lights are being thrown away per year, so it is important to make the right decision to reduce waste. And if your lights have had their time, make sure to dispose of them correctly at your local tip.
By incorporating these eco-friendly practices into your holiday traditions, you’re not only creating a more sustainable Christmas but also setting an example for others to follow. This year let’s celebrate with a little less waste and a lot more joy. Happy holidays!
