Dreaming of a Greener Christmas?: Shopping, energy and more

Christmas is a magical time of year, with twinkling lights, cosy gatherings and the joy of gift giving and celebrations with the ones you love. But behind the sparkle lies a less festive truth: the holiday season comes with a significant environmental cost.

Between the wrapping paper we tear through in seconds, the novelty gifts that may be in the landfill by January, and the energy drains of decorations on top of winter living, December can be one of the most wasteful months of the year.

The good news? A greener Christmas doesn’t mean a dull one. With a little awareness and a few simple swaps, you can enjoy all the warmth and wonder of the season while drastically reducing your environmental footprint. Here’s how to shop smarter, cut waste, save energy, and still have a Christmas that feels full of joy, not waste,

The main culprits

We may completely overlook or avoid thinking too deeply about how harmful some common festive products can be. A few of the biggest offenders include:

• Wrapping paper and cards

Many designs contain laminated coatings, glitter or plastic fibres which means they can’t be recycled. Large amounts end up in landfill every year, often after just a few seconds of use.

• Glitter

It may look magical, but glitter is essentially thousands of tiny plastic particles. These wash into waterways, break down into microplastics and persist in the environment for decades – infiltrating the food chain and ending up back in our bodies in the form of toxic carcinogens.

• Disposable decorations

Festive napkins, plastic plates, novelty jumpers made from polyester or nylon, tinsel, crackers: all of these are typically single-use items destined for the bin. They shed microplastics and contribute to unnecessary manufacturing emissions.

• Christmas trees

Choosing between real and artificial trees can be confusing, but both come with environmental considerations: from plastic production and transport miles to pesticide use and disposal.

So what can you do to create a greener and more caring Christmas?…

Minimise waste 

The easiest way to reduce waste at Christmas or any other time is simply to buy less. Overbuying doesn’t just drain your budget; it creates clutter and leads to a mountain of waste.

December is full of pressure selling, from impulse items at the checkout to endless “festive deals” online. But you don’t need any of the extras that marketers push. Pause, ask yourself whether an item truly adds value, and walk away from anything that doesn’t.

Invest in things you’ll actually use

If you buy a Christmas jumper, choose one you genuinely love and plan to wear for years. The same goes for decorations and gifts: opt for quality over novelty, and things that spark joy rather than short-lived amusement. Avoid single use items that cannot be recycled.

Plan your food shop thoughtfully

Avoid the panic-buy. Estimate realistically what you’ll eat and prepare for leftovers. Keep plenty of containers on hand to freeze anything perishable. This not only prevents waste but also makes your meals stretch further into January.

Dispose of old items responsibly

Receiving new gifts often means replacing old ones. There are plenty of things that will need to be disposed of responsibly rather than dumped in the general waste bin.

• Donate good-quality items to charity shops, shelters or community organisations.
• Take electronics and recyclable plastics to your local waste and recycling centre.
• Offer unwanted items on neighbourhood groups where someone else may give them a second life.

Planning a January run to the local dump or recycling centre will ensure that you start 2026 with less clutter and more environmental conscience.

Reduce plastic wherever possible

It can feel impossible to cut plastic out of Christmas but even small reductions have meaningful impact.

Choose recyclable or reusable wrapping

Look for plastic-free wrapping paper (the kind that passes the “scrunch test” and stays scrunched). Better still, make your own from old newspapers or spare fabric. Gift bags are another excellent option, as they can be reused for many years.

Prefer recyclable or natural materials

Gifts made from wood, metal, glass or fabric tend to last longer and can be recycled more easily. And if you already own plastic decorations such as tinsel, the greenest option is to keep using them, treating them as long-term items to be enjoyed for years to come rather than disposables.

Choose sustainable products

From your Christmas tree to your turkey, there are greener choices available. Sustainability can be tricky to navigate – and there is a lot of “greenwashing” around – but a few guidelines help:

• Look for certified sustainable or local producers.
• Favour brands with transparent supply chains.
• Choose items made from recycled, upcycled or natural materials.
• Prioritise durability and repairability over novelty.

Even small shifts in your buying habits can dramatically reduce your seasonal footprint.

Be mindful of your energy consumption

Christmas is an energy-intensive time with cooking, lighting displays, heating and gathering all adding up to higher emissions and higher bills. But you can stay festive while staying energy-smart.

• Turn off fairy lights at night or use timers.
• Switch off TVs, speakers and appliances when not in use.
• Keep your home insulated: draw curtains early, use draught excluders and layer up.
• Consider investing in energy-efficient appliances like air fryers or slow cookers, which use significantly less energy than ovens.

These changes don’t just cut emissions – they will help reduce your energy bills too!

Gifts that give back

The perfect present doesn’t have to cost the earth. Thoughtful, sustainable gifting can reduce waste, support local businesses and communities, and create memories that last far longer than novelty gadgets or plastic stocking fillers.

Here are some ideas to help you give generously while keeping your environmental impact low:

1. Experience gifts

Instead of another object that might end up in a drawer or the landfill, give an experience that will be remembered:

• Tickets to a concert, play or exhibition
• A spa day or massage voucher
• A class or workshop with a local organisation, business or learning centre – such as ceramics, cooking, photography, dancing
• A weekend activity like hiking, an exhibition or a local tour

Experiences enrich lives without creating clutter or waste and strengthen relationships with one another and ourselves.

2. Handmade and upcycled presents

There’s something uniquely special about a gift someone made with their own hands. Consider:

• Homemade candles, jams or soaps
• Knitted items or hand-stitched decorations
• A framed drawing or photograph
• Upcycled furniture, jewellery or textiles

These gifts feel meaningful, personal, and low-impact. They also support small businesses and local makers if you’re buying handmade rather than crafting yourself.

3. Consumable and low-waste treats

Edible and consumable gifts are a fantastic way to spoil people without saddling them with more stuff. Options include:

• Gourmet food hampers
• Fairtrade chocolate or coffee
• Local honey, preserves, craft beer or wine
• Natural beauty products in recyclable packaging

They’re indulgent, practical and almost always appreciated.

4. Donations and charitable gifts

For the person who “doesn’t need anything,” a donation in their name can be incredibly meaningful. You could:

• Sponsor an animal or plant a tree
• Support a homelessness charity, food bank or children’s charity
• Contribute to environmental, wildlife or humanitarian organisations

Many charities offer beautiful cards or certificates so there’s still something to unwrap.

5. Local and independent brands

Buying from small, ethical businesses is a great way to make sure your gift supports someone’s livelihood rather than a massive supply chain. Look for:

• Locally roasted coffee
• Handmade crafts
• Small-batch skincare
• Upcycled or low-impact fashion

You get a unique, often better-quality product while reducing transport emissions.

A greener Christmas is a better Christmas

Choosing a more sustainable Christmas doesn’t mean giving up on the magic of the season. In fact, it often brings more of it back. By being thoughtful about what we buy, how we wrap, what we throw away and the energy we use, we not only lighten our environmental impact. We reconnect with what this time of year is really about: celebration, generosity and spending time with the people we love.

Small changes add up. One reusable gift bag, one consciously chosen present, one evening of switching off unnecessary lights all add up. And when millions of households make even a few tweaks, the collective effect is enormous.

So this year, let your Christmas be filled with joy, not waste. Because the best gift we can give, to ourselves and to future generations, is a healthy and habitable planet.

If you have any thoughts on this topic, or any other consumer issues you would like us to cover, feel free to get in touch with us at support@resolver.co.uk.

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