How to have a more sustainable Christmas

How to have a more sustainable Christmas with us here at TCC!

Obviously, Christmas this year and last year have been and will be different for everyone, and there isn\’t much we can do about the pandemic. What we can do is live our lives in a safe and cautious manner, but let\’s add some sustainability to that.

First and foremost, let us abandon traditional gift wrapping, particularly that made of non-recyclable materials, and instead opt for an eco-friendly alternative. \’But gift wrapping is made of paper,\’ you may be thinking. Why would that be an issue?\” Think about it this way… How many gifts are being unwrapped with that paper and then thrown away? Multiply that by the number of people, then by the number of houses on your street, and then by the number of houses in your neighbourhood…city…country, and so on. That\’s a lot of single-use paper being thrown away, and it\’s completely unnecessary.

One way to combat this is to use reusable gift wrap, such as repurposed clothing, tablecloths, linen, or even these Sari gift wraps made from reclaimed fabrics. Another option is to use recyclable brown craft paper. Colourful wrapping paper is cute, but sustainability is preferable.

Gift giving is the reciprocal altruism principle (\’you scratch my back, and I\’ll scratch yours\’) that underpins many of our positive relationships with friends and others. So, if you like to give gifts, this is for you. Another way we can have a more sustainable Christmas is to think carefully about what we give as gifts.

It is always preferable to give gifts of experience rather than gifts that may not be desired, required, or are simply a waste.
Choose consumable gifts as experiences, for example, if your friend is a tea or coffee connoisseur, clean out one of those reusable jars you have hanging around in your kitchen cabinet and refill it with loose teas or Wholebean/ground coffee from your local zero waste store! Make your own label or decoration if you want to jazz it up a little, and there you have it. Your loved ones are likely to appreciate the effort and thought you put into this. The same is true for other consumables; perhaps some Yogurt-coated raisins? Sweets?

Just today, a lady came into the shop and purchased a travel tin, which she intends to decorate and bake some brownies to fill as a gift. What a lovely and considerate idea. 

A quarter of the population no longer sends Christmas cards, but there is a way to send season\’s greetings without harming the environment. Look out for cards that have the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification. This ensures that the paper was produced in a sustainable and ethical manner. In addition, try these Rebecca Robinson Designs for Christmas cards made from recycled materials!

Last but not least, this Christmas, try to reduce your food waste. Most of us are pretty good at repurposing our leftovers throughout the year, but when it comes to Christmas, we can be a little more wasteful.

One option is to just buy less. Don\’t over do it this year.