‘Tis the season to be green
Christmas is a time of exuberance for many of us. It’s the one time of year we throw our healthy lifestyles and bank balances up the chimney and make the most of this period of excess, not caring about the adverse effect it is having on our bodies… We’ll start our healthy regimen again in January, so it’s fine!
Sadly though, the negative effects the festive season can have on our environment are not so easily remedied come the New Year. However, all is not lost; it IS possible to have a colourful, shiny Christmas and still extend the festive cheer to Mother Nature, and here is how…
Re-use your old decorations
We all have that big box in the loft stuffed full of plastic baubles, tinsel and glitter, all of which are a big no no when it comes to environmental concerns, but there is nothing more economical or eco-friendly than re-using what you already have. So, enjoy spreading the glitz of Christmases past for years to come and blow the dust off the old Christmas decorations box, completely guilt free
Buy vintage
In the same vein as above, buying vintage is just re-using someone else’s discarded decorations and is a great way to find that unusual piece. Etsy, for example, have a great range of vintage Christmas decorations
Buy re-usable
Online stores such as Not On The High Street do a great range of re-usable Christmas crackers, one supplier being Keep This Cracker who hand-make the plastic free and recyclable crackers in their studio in Manchester. They are printed with water/vegetable based inks on paper from responsible sources. The ribbons are woven in the UK using yarns made from 100% recycled used plastic bottles, and on top of all that she uses pet friendly snaps making Christmas crackers kind to everyone
Keep it real
When it comes to your Christmas tree, it may surprise you to know that real trees are the way to go. Not only do they make your home smell lovely and Christmassy but a real tree bought from a local, sustainable grower actually has a far smaller carbon footprint than its artificial counterpart. In fact, The Carbon Trust report that, a 2m tall real tree that ends up in a wood chipper or bonfire has a carbon footprint of 3.5kg of carbon dioxide (CO2), whereas an artificial tree of the same size has an estimated carbon footprint of 40kg of CO2
Sweet treats
Don’t forget you can adorn you tree with yummy treats that truly represent Christmas, such as gingerbread men, chocolate decorations and, of course, what is Christmas without a red and white striped candy cane. As with all of the above there are plenty of videos online but we found a good variety on Maj Makes It's YouTube Channel
Buy from eco-friendly suppliers
There are companies out there whose ethos is to supply eco-friendly and ethical products, so you can shop safe in the knowledge that you’re supporting fair trade. Nkuku has a range of fairly made, recycled and recycled glass decorations. They use solely sustainable natural and recycled materials and support fair pay and working conditions throughout the world. Traidcraft proudly boast that they have been fair trade pioneers for over 40 years. They are advocates for organic farming, sustainability and transparency to the lives of growers and artisans worldwide. Browse their shop for some quirky but entirely eco-friendly and ethical items
Get crafty
Many of us will spend time with the family over Christmas, so why not take on an activity the whole family can enjoy and make your own eco-friendly and cost-effective decorations? Here are some ideas to get you started:
Dried orange garlands: Oranges symbolise all things Christmas and they smell great too. You can add holly or dried cranberries to give your garland the look of a more expensive, bought product. Not only are they plastic free but stored in an airtight Tupperware box they will be the perfect addition to the big old Christmas box in the loft. There are plenty of ‘how to’ guides on the internet, but here is one step by step guide to making a dried orange Christmas garland that we quite like
Scented salt dough garlands and tree decorations: Another fun and eco-friendly option that will give your home a trendy, rustic, Christmassy feel. Again a quick search will provide you with a tonne of options, but we enjoyed making these Christmas scented salt dough ornaments
Forage for pine cones: Wrap up warm and take a wintry walk to collect holly and pine cones. Adding either of these to your existing plants and flowers will give them a festive feel and will add to the Christmas spirit. You can also use them to make tree decorations and garlands, but just try to stay away from the glitter for a truly eco-friendly option
Christmas crochet: Following a trend in needlecraft in recent years, this could be a good time to use your new-found skills (or exercise some old ones) and crochet some Christmas decorations. With a variety of colours available this could be a great way to brighten up your home and even the Christmas dining table
Recycle your wrapping: And boy is there enough of that over Christmas!! Use old wrapping paper, delivery paper or paper bags and turn your hand to Origami. Head over to YouTube for an abundance of origami videos like this easy five-minute video on how to make Christmas star and ball decorations out of wrapping paper
0% waste foliage candle holders
Save your groaning recycling bin this Christmas by re-using your clear glass bottles as gorgeous candle holders. Simply pop in a sprig from your real Christmas tree or some holly or mistletoe, put a candle on top et voila! The perfect eco-friendly Christmas table decoration
If you would like more advice on how to decorate your home with some eco-friendly Christmas cheer please contact us.
Leigh Hall from Strive for Design is an interior designer in Cambridge and Newmarket, so please give her a call on 01223 622 688 to discuss your next project.