13 ways to have a more sustainable Christmas
The Grinch was no angel, but he was right about one thing: we consume way too much at Christmas. It's estimated that the UK produces 30% more waste than usual over the festive season, which is hardly surprising given the amount of wrapping paper, unwanted presents, and leftover turkey that seem to dominate the big day.
Between the stress of cramming in last-minute Christmas shopping and the excitement of the numerous merry festivities, it's all too easy to let our standards slip when it comes to sustainability around this time of year. And before you know it, your fairy lights have taken over your electricity bills, you've splurged on a glittery (not to mention itchy) dress, and you've scraped a mountain of unwanted leftovers into the bin.
Luckily, a few savvy swaps (plus a more mindful approach to shopping) are all it takes to start reducing our waste this Christmas. Here's GLAMOUR's guide to having your most sustainable Christmas yet – without compromising on style (or spirit).
IgnatievSend e-cards instead of paper Christmas cards
We love a good Christmas card. In fact, it’s estimated that each person in the UK will send/receive 17 Christmas cards, with Royal Mail delivering a whopping 150 million cards during the festive period. Sadly – no matter how perfectly chosen the card or how thoughtful the message inside is – approximately 1 billion Christmas cards end up in the bin.
We get it: your grandparents probably won’t settle for anything less than the real thing, but your friends and colleagues can certainly cope with an e-card.
Vera LivchakChoose a gift that won't be forgotten about
It’s very easy to get carried away when buying presents for loved ones. And it just feels *good* to treat the people in your life to lots of gifts, even if you haven’t really considered whether they’ll actually use them. However, it’s estimated that £42 million of unwanted Christmas presents are thrown out in landfill each year, which puts a huge strain on the earth by releasing greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
Instead of gifting an assortment of trinkets that are likely to end up in the charity shop by March 2025, why not try gifting an experience? Virgin Experience Days has a whole host of ideas, from a luxurious Champagne afternoon tea to a weekend break at the spa. If your loved one doesn’t end up using the e-voucher (they definitely will), the waste is non-existent.
If you're still stuck for ideas, head over to GLAMOUR's Gift Shop, a tightly curated guide to buying well this festive season.
Peter CarruthersSwitch to eco-friendly crackers
Firstly, it might be time to consider whether you *actually* need crackers at all. Sure, they’re fun for the five seconds you pull them (OK, and the jokes are occasionally funny), but can you hand-on-heart say you’ve ever used the present from a cracker beyond Christmas Day?
If Christmas dinner simply won’t be the same without the party hats, opt for an eco-friendly option. Look for brands which are made using recycled materials, contain recyclable party hats, and gifts that you’ll actually find useful. Even better? Opt for a reusable cracker, which you can fill with your own treats to avoid disappointment.
Getty ImagesInvest in the right lights
Fairy lights are a Christmas prerequisite, and magically transform any space into Santa's grotto in a twinkly flash. But not all fairy lights are created equal, especially when energy usage is concerned. Always opt for LED lights; not only will they last far, far longer, they'll also use less electricity and don't generate heat. Oh, and remember to switch them off when you leave the house.
Getty ImagesDeck the halls
Floor-to-ceiling decorations gives us all the festive feels but it's worth bearing in mind that some decorations are far from pretty. The worst offender? Tinsel. It's made from non biodegradable plastics and is single-use, meaning it goes straight to landfill. Plus, it's tacky (sorry). Choose wooden baubles, knitted ornaments and hand-crafted treasures that can be reused year after year.
Getty ImagesRecycle your Christmas tree
Christmas trees are non-negotiable, right? There's no way we're having Christmas without one. But rather than just dumping it after you're done, dig a little deeper into your local council's' services – many offer a recycling service where they will collect your tree on your usual recycling day, or provide a number of drop off locations. For real tree enthusiasts, you can buy a potted tree with a view to replant it and keep it for next year – although, this requires a certain amount of planning. Whatever you decide, give your tree another lease of life.
Getty ImagesEat seasonally
Serving Brussels Sprouts at Christmas lunch isn't just traditional; it's also a seasonal option, making them a particularly sustainable side dish. Alongside seasonal eating, think twice before throwing away your scraps – save them and eat like a queen all the way through to the New Year.
Seasonal favourites around this time of year include leeks, clementines, parsnips, and apples.
Getty ImagesDitch the glitter
Look, no one blames you if you want to whip out the glitter for your Christmas party – especially the gold stuff. But there's a reason why you'll be finding it in every bodily crevice for months to come: glitter is generally not biodegradable. This means that any products you buy containing glitter can't be recycled – and will probably end up in the mouth of an unsuspecting fish. Avoid at all costs.
Getty ImagesShop locally
Christmas is as good a time as any to put our money where our mouth is, and that means thinking critically about the businesses we choose to share our hard-earned cash with. Take some time to research the sustainability practices of your favourite shops – if you’re not convinced, try looking closer to home.
The shops on our high streets need our support now more than ever, and they usually have a far lower carbon footprint thanks to the fact they tend to source their ingredients and materials locally, rather than importing from the other side of the planet. Bonus points if you source your presents from a charity shop.
Getty ImagesDitch the wrapping paper
Wrapping paper is seriously overrated, and overpriced for that matter given its shelf life is reduced to the time it takes to rip it the shreds. Instead, start saving up your newspapers and magazines to wrap your gifts in. Plus, it'll look super #arty.
Getty ImagesGive a charitable gift
You can't beat the gift of giving. And there are so many incredible organisations and charities that need your support this festive season. If you're looking for inspiration, start with Action Aid, a vital international charity that works with women and girls who live in poverty.
Daniel Zuchnik/Getty ImagesDon't buy a new dress for the Christmas party
One of the reasons Christmas parties are so fun is that you finally have the excuse to wear something truly *out there*: whether it’s a glamorous fringed LBD or an iridescent pair of flares. And, almost always, we end up convincing ourselves to make a one-off purchase on something that we’ll wear, well, once. Fast-forward five years, the outlandish dress is well out of fashion and not even deemed worthy of Christmas drinks down the pub. Hello, charity shop.
The problem is charity shops are often overwhelmed with these one-off purchases. And if they’re bought from fast fashion brands they tend to be made of flimsier materials, making them harder to resell. Your discarded Christmas dress then makes its way across the world, perhaps to Kantamanto Market in Ghana, where workers are burdened with our waste.
The likelihood is you probably already have something Christmas party-worthy in your wardrobe. If you’re truly convinced you need a refresh, try a fashion rental service such as By Rotation.
However, it’s worth remembering that one study found that fashion rental companies can be more harmful to the environment that throwing away clothes due to the extensive transportation and dry cleaning involved.
Getty ImagesCut food waste
This year, cutting down on food waste needs to go beyond turkey sandwiches on Boxing Day (although admittedly, those are so good). As we do our festive food shops, we seem to be plagued by the idea that we won’t have enough food on Christmas Day – even though this isn’t usually the case (7 in 10 people will admit to buying far more food than they need at Christmas).
It’s this mentality that leads to Brits throwing away two million turkeys each year, as well as Five million Christmas puddings, and 17 million Brussel sprouts, according to GWP Group, This can be overcome by planning what you’re actually going to eat at Christmas: if no one eats sprouts, consider not buying them at all.
While you’re at it, have a look at what donations your local food bank are requesting this Christmas, and keep an eye out for them when you’re doing the big shop.
