06:00, 17 December 2024
Words by Abi Scaife, Staff Writer, London
Christmas might not feel like the easiest time to be sustainable - but here at Smiley News, we are armed with a wealth of tips and tricks to prove you wrong!
Whether you’re a climate action aficionado, or simply dipping a toe into the waters of sustainability, sometimes all you need is a different perspective to realise that Christmas for the planet can be fun, easy, and even cheap!
First things first - let’s talk food. Because isn’t that what the big day is really all about?
We know it’s super tempting to buy so many things pre-packaged - and don’t get us wrong, that definitely works some of the time (looking at you, Christmas puddings). Having said that, there’s so much food you can prep now and freeze - that way, all you have to do on the big day is pull it out and whack it in the oven, and it can be a big leap in terms of reducing your waste!
Think about your Christmas dinner sides in particular - potatoes (both roasties and mash), roasted carrots and parsnips; all of these are things that you can prep early and freeze. It gives you the same level of convenience as buying premade bits from the shop, but it cuts out the middle man, means you’re not opening and tossing a bunch of packaging, and it tastes so much nicer.
If that doesn’t sound like it would work for your family (no judgment here), let’s skip to once you’ve finished your dinner and you’re stuffed full of turkey. Christmas leftovers are a tradition, whether you like to recreate the meal itself, or you’re more of a Ross Gellar about it, you don’t need to stop there.
Any leftovers from your turkey, or centrepiece of choice, including bones, can be frozen and, on a day when there hasn’t been quite so much food and wine, you can boil to make an incredible broth or soup.
Plus, any leftover veggies can be stuck in the blender with seasonings to make, hummus, soup, or a whole host of other delicious foods to enjoy later on.
Not only does this mean that you’re reducing a huge amount of food waste (let’s be honest, we always make too much), but you also get to enjoy your Christmas dinner again, and again and again…
When it comes to decorations, there are so many options for being a little more climate-friendly - and the best part is, the most sustainable route is also the easiest!
Don’t worry about going out and buying sustainable or eco-friendly Christmas decorations. Yes, the packaging says fun and interesting words like ‘hemp’ and ‘bio-degradable’, but the truth is the best way to decorate for Christmas in an environmentally conscious way is just to use what you already have.
Dig out the baubles that fell out of the box and are rolling around in the attic, and repurpose the adorable bow or wooden tag on your early Christmas gift; we promise, it’ll look amazing. If you’re still struggling, pop to a charity shop or check out Facebook Marketplace - it’ll be a lot cheaper, and you’ll stop things from going straight to the landfill in the new year.
As for the tree, a good-quality fake can last a lifetime (and we mean that quite literally). Still, if you’re someone who loves the smell of pine needles on Christmas morning, you can always rent a Christmas tree.
That’s right - by renting a tree, you get the same one every year delivered to you in a pot. When the Christmas season is over, the trees are taken away and replanted so that they can thrive until the next year. This is a great idea if you have little ones; just imagine the adorable pictures of them growing alongside their Christmas tree! So cute!
Wrapping gifts with all the store flyers i got in the mail. 2nd year doing this. Frugal and sustainable!
byu/ManagerPug inFrugal
Now, what you’ve no doubt been waiting for - the gifts.
There are so many ways to be green about gifts, including regifting that pair of socks you hated that is still in its packet, from last year. Or, you can go shopping on places like Vinted, Depop, eBay and Facebook Marketplace - or a charity shop for an extra layer of giving - to find some amazing deals. Cheap designer footwear, anyone?
When it comes to wrapping paper, we hate to tell you that many of the rolls you have probably used over the years aren’t recyclable. Despite the fact that they have ‘paper’ in the name, they’re often coated in non-recyclable materials and will be sent to a landfill.
Luckily, now in 2024, there is a whole host of recyclable wrapping paper brands - you can even get some from the RSPB. If you’re still trying to save a bit of cash, consider taking a ‘leaf’ from the book of one Redditor, who wrapped their Christmas gifts in all the flyers they received over the year. We think it looks pretty cool!
If you have some of your own sustainable Christmas hacks that you think we missed (or if you just want to say ‘hi’ and ‘Merry Christmas’!) let us know by emailing: [email protected].
At Smiley Movement, we like to elevate the work of charities across the world. Here are three charities whose causes align with the themes in this article.
The Woodland Trust. This is the UK’s largest woodland conservation charity, concerned with the creation, protection, and restoration of native woodland heritage. Support them here.
Rewilding Britain. They aim to tackle the climate emergency and extinction crisis, reconnect people with the natural world and help communities thrive. Find out more here.
Devon’s Wildlife Trust. DWT is the only local charity dedicated to protecting wildlife and wild places across Devon - on land and at sea. Learn more here.
