I’m dreaming of a green Christmas… 2020 style

It goes without saying that Christmas might look a little different this year. Our families may be spread out all over the country, or even the world! But it’s still possible to have a wonderful festive season. And goodness knows we need something to look forward to! Spread the cheer with these green tips to create your best eco friendly Christmas.

After the year we’ve had, can you believe we’re approaching the holiday season already?! Seems like just yesterday that it was February. While Christmas might look a little different this year, we can still have a wonderful celebration with our family and friends, wherever they may be. We might just need to be a little more creative! 

And if you’re committed to going green at home, you might well be wondering, “How do I give my family a merry COVID-19 Christmas in an eco friendly way?”

Here are some fun ways to give your family a wonderful Christmas celebration while staying true to your low-waste lifestyle.

Embrace technology

Using the right technology can make the distance seem smaller.

Pic by bongkarn thanyakij via Canva

1.    Embrace technology

Even if you’ve had more video calls this year than you care to remember, one to make memorable is Christmas Day. At our place, we’re already planning how we can involve the kids’ grandparents in opening presents and see whether it’s possible to have everyone “sitting” around the table for Xmas lunch.

• Zoom has featured heavily in 2020 (You’ve no doubt heard the jokes about 2020 being sponsored by Zoom!). This tool works well for super large groups - up to 200 attendees. That would be some Xmas lunch!

• Houseparty – This app is newer to the party (sorry) and brings added features such as games and stickers, for a bit of fun! There is a limit of 8 attendees, but would work well for your lunch table.

• Facetime – Best for 1-1 or small group chats.

Add some extra spice to the calls by adding virtual backgrounds or IRL decorations. Plan ahead and try some of these fun and clever ideas!

2.    Christmas cuisine

Food waste at Christmas can be a real problem. According to these stats, the equivalent of 4 million Christmas dinners are wasted each year (in the UK alone!). Isn’t that a sobering thought!

Cut down on food wastage by following these tips:

Cater the right amount – It’s likely it will be a small group gathering this year, so cook just the right amount.

Make your favourites - To make sure you have all the family favourites, why not involve the family in planning the meal, and even preparing it.

Become freezer-friendly - Consider making freezer-friendly options with a view that you can freeze. You might also be surprised how many Christmas foods can be frozen (yes, even Christmas pudding!). Check out this ultimate guide to freezing Xmas leftovers.

Upcycle your leftovers into something new to keep the festive vibe going. Check out these delicious ideas for how to ensure your Christmas dinner continues for days, and reduce food wastage at the same time.

Lower your carbon footprint by opting for more plant based options, and reducing your meat and dairy intake. Try some of these delicious plant based ideas for Xmas lunch, and top off your Xmas pudd with coconut custard.

Create your own family tradition

Invest in beautiful decorations that can be reused for generations to come.

3.    Deck the halls

Thank goodness going green doesn’t mean losing the Xmas decos! They’re a big part of what makes Christmas feel so special. When I was a kid, it was a magical time when mum brought out the tinsel and tree ornaments to decorate the house. She had forged a collection of decorations handed down to her by her mum, as well as things special items collected on our travels. All made to last. In fact, mum still uses them all to this day!

Create your own family tradition by investing in beautiful good quality Christmas decorations that last. Take care of them and store them well so that you can hand them down to generations to come.

Go for second-hand – A quick search of your local Facebook Marketplace will likely show bundles of second-hand decorations for sale. You’re likely to find some really unique pieces, and it’s usually much cheaper than buying new!

Make your own – we’re big fans of upcycling so love the idea of these ornaments made from scraps of ribbon, among other things. The kids will love getting involved too!

4.    Eco friendly Christmas gifts

It’s great to go green, and the good news is we don’t have to turn into the Grinch! (Or a socially distanced Santa, for that matter!) Giving really is the true meaning of Christmas and presents are a great way to show your family you’re thinking of them, especially from afar. But rethinking how we give gifts is important, at Christmas time - and indeed all year round.

Give someone what they want – If you listen carefully, most people will start dropping hints for Christmas presents sometime in November (well that’s common in my household anyway!). By getting someone something they need, it’s likely they will love it and use it. This means less chance of it being returned (online returns have a huge carbon footprint!), donated to charity, or ending up in landfill. Consider the 4 Gift rule.

Christmas lists – not just for kids? Ok, I appreciate this is not the most romantic way to go, but it’s really useful! Lists help to ensure people receive something that they will use, so there’s much less chance of wastage.

Experience gifts are a great (and green) way to go. Rather than giving a physical gift why not given an experience. It’s also a cool option to send to your remote family and friends. Check out Red Balloon for Oz and Giftano for Singapore for some options!

Green gifts - Remember: the most eco friendly product is sometimes the one you already own! But if you are looking to help others go green at home, sometimes it’s easier to show rather than tell. For some green gift ideas, check out the range of plastic-free products in our store.

Give a goat? No doubt you will have seen charities like Oxfam selling gift cards to “give a goat to a family in need”. While this doesn’t necessarily mean you are buying a goat for a particular family, the money you donate will help the charity support families in need to become more self-sufficient. Caveat: This gift idea might not be for everyone, so save it for friends who share your mindset and will appreciate the gesture! To me, it’s a wonderful idea that really speaks to the true meaning of Christmas.

Eco friendly Christmas gifts come in all shapes and sizes, so you’re sure to be able to find something for everyone. These sustainable gifts are well worth considering! 

For more eco friendly gift ideas for kids, check out our post here.

Have you tried

Furoshiki?

It’s the Japanese art of wrapping gifts using fabrics. The fabric becomes part of the gift and creates a beautiful aesthetic too!

5.    Reusable wrapping

Wrapping paper is another essential part of the festive season. There’s something quite magical about seeing beautifully wrapped pressies under the tree. But sadly, wrapping paper is not recyclable, so it goes straight to landfill.  However, this doesn’t mean you need to go without.

Fabric wrapping - Furoshiki is the Japanese art of wrapping gifts using fabrics. We love Hello Snowglobe’s beautiful designs, especially the Christmassy ones! They are of course reusable so they become part of the gift itself. Check out this YouTube video for a super simple method. Fabric wrapping can add a beautiful touch of magic to your Xmas tree.

Reuse wrapping – It can add a fun touch to wrap with newspaper and upcycle used cardboard into cards. Or even use crisp packets?!

Upcycle into something new – Here are some creative ideas of what you can do with your leftover wrapping paper! Confetti, pretty envelopes or festive buntings to name a few!

6.    Create your own magic!

Considering the year we’re having, it’s easy to give up on the idea of having a wonderful festive season. But making Christmas-20 extra special will help create happy memories for your family and friends. I’m determined to make this Christmas all the more special for my family, wherever they may be all around the world.

If 2020 has taught us anything, I hope it’s an appreciation of the simple things and remembering what really matters in life. Like spending quality time with our families and enjoying a lovely meal together, even if that means with the help of our good friend technology.

Which eco friendly Christmas tips will you try this year? Let us know in the comments.

Photo by Joanna Kosinska on Unsplash