How to have a Greener, more Eco Friendly Christmas

The story goes that Songwriter Irving Berlin wrote the song, White Christmas, made famous by Bing Crosby while reminiscing about an old-fashioned Christmas setting, apparently while in sunny Los Angeles at the time. Though there are a couple of different tales about where it was written. However, the bit that sticks with me is the ‘old fashioned Christmas setting’ bit. It seems to me that when we think about trying to have a more eco friendly Christmas that we need to go back a little bit to how things were before.

Now, I’m not trying to be a grinch here. I ADORE Christmas. I have so many wonderful memories of Christmas past and it has always been a very special time of year for me but I do think the excesses of recent years have a lot to answer for in terms of where we find ourselves now, with the planet heaving under the weight of disposable plastic and non recyclable material.

I’m not saying we go back to times when people struggled to put food on the table at Christmas or children went without but I think there are lessons to be learned from how previous generations celebrated Christmas.

I’m going to give you my Top Tips for ways to be a little bit more eco conscious this festive Season.

★ Give an experience instead of a physical gift this Christmas. A wha?? I hear you say! Buy a voucher for a workshop for someone you know is crafty. Buy cinema tickets for your nieces and nephews. Who doesn’t love to get out of the house a few days after Christmas when the turkey sandwiches are running low. If you’re stumped on what to get your Mam or Aunt, what about an afternoon tea voucher?

★ Make a gift for your family this year and now I’m not talking empty toilet rolls and cotton wool type makes here. You could easily, however, whip up a big batch of Christmas Chutney and give a big jar of it to all the family with some delish crackers. Get the kids to make the labels so everyone joins in. Honestly, a couple of hours one afternoon and you’ll be done! They’ll be seriously impressed. One of my favourite recipes is Nigellas Christmas Chutney.

★ If you’ve been following me for a while you know I’m always out gathering wild flowers, fruit and herbs and this is the time of year when all that can be put to good use. So if you’ve been doing a bit of forging yourself this year or even saving flowers from your garden you can use these to make gifts for your family. Or check out my video here on how to make a natural room freshener. Put it in a pretty glass bottle with a ribbon and Bobs your uncle - another one ticked off the list!

★ I’m not saying don’t buy any gifts at all this year but I am saying take a few minutes to think about where your gifts are coming from. If you buy from local crafters, makers and producers you can be guaranteed that your purchases are going to make a very real difference to their families this Christmas. I’m not so sure you could say the same about the huge retailers. And buying locally means your carbon footprint is massively reduced also. Your gifts aren’t flying half way around the world to get to you. Although, Yes, I know Santas gifts do fly half way around the world but he uses magic, not diesel, so its ok!!

★ Research your gifts too. I know we are all time poor and don’t have hours to waste checking out the eco credentials of everyone we buy from but if the person or people you are buying from are making real changes in their business to be more eco friendly they will be shouting about it so a quick look at their website should reveal what you need to know. Read all about my continual journey to be more eco friendly here.

★ One of the biggest waste producers every Christmas is wrapping paper. Pretty much all of the lovely shiny, colourful wrapping paper that appears at Christmas time is non recyclable and ends up in landfill. There are so many better options out there that won’t pollute the earth. I’ve put together a board on my Pinterest page with lots of great alternatives.

★ If you do have family and friends who are eco conscious and you yourself are trying to do your bit to reduce single use plastic and unnecessary waste this Christmas check out my Gift Section. I’m going to do a bit of shouting here myself now. (Cough cough, clears throat)

• I make Natural, aromatherapy soaps and skincare.

• I grow flowers in my own, pesticide free, garden that I use in some of those products

• I source my ingredients from reputable companies who are playing their part in reducing plastic and who are continuously striving to have greener practices within their businesses.

• I use only glass and aluminium containers, no plastic here.

• My packaging is completely compostable and biodegradeable. I dye my own, recycled, silk ribbons using plants and seeds to wrap your gifts and gather & dry flowers from my own garden and surrounding countryside to decorate your gifts.

• You can be guaranteed that when buying a gift from Naturally at the Wrens Nest this Christmas that you are doing your bit to reduce single use plastic, reduce waste and lower your carbon footprint.

So the bottom line is that this Christmas you really can make a difference to the global problem that is single use plastic by just taking a little time over the gifts you choose this year for your loved ones. Think outside the box, shop locally, buy from small businesses and makers and most of all take the time to just sit and enjoy the company of your family and friends because really thats what its all about.