With the festive season fast approaching it’s the time of the year when we’ll be shopping and celebrating aplenty. This can mean hosting your loved ones for meals, company Christmas parties with colleagues, and gifts for the people you hold dear. We know that our customers think not just of celebrations, but also of the impact of those celebrations on the world around them so we’re compiled a list of our top tips to be greener this Christmas:

1 – Reuse The first step is to look at Christmas supplies from years past, baubles, linens, lights, etc. and see what is in good condition. If you see what you already have, you’ll know exactly what you need for the coming year!

2 – Make your own décor! It can be tempting to splash out for a full new set of decorations, but finding ways to reuse old decorations or upcycle items you already own is a great way to be more sustainable. You can also make decoration creation into a fun family activity!

Our Head of Sustainability, Rachael has turned old bedding samples into holiday wreaths and created a template for how you can do the same at home. You can download the guide here.

3 – Plan a Seasonal menu Use fruit and veg that are in season and source them locally for your festive meals. In the UK leeks, sprouts, cabbages, pears, and cranberries are ready to harvest, whether you source them from a local farm, or your supermarket. This reduces carbon emissions from sending produce from across the world.

4 – Reduce packaging Whether that’s by visiting a zero-waste shop for pantry staples, choosing gifts without plastic, or buying loose produce rather than prepacked. Don’t forget to bring your reuseable bags to carry your shopping home with you as well!

5 – Eco- Friendly Wrapping Paper 227,000 miles of wrapping paper are used by Brits each year. If you elect to re-use old gift bags, opt in to brown or recyclable paper, or use interesting materials like fabric wrapping, you can help to reduce the impact of wrapping.

6 – Shop Locally Whether you source your meat from a local butcher, buy your gifts from a local shop on the high street, or buy your guest linen from a UK supplier like Vision, every bit helps to support the local economy. Businesses near you can then reinvest in the community to help everyone grow and flourish!

7 – No More Glitter Sparkle can be a lovely addition to holiday décor, but glitter is difficult to recycle. Even biodegradable glitter must be specially treated to break down. Try to avoid any décor or wrapping with it, as well as glittery Christmas cards.

8 – Reduce food waste and Donate Extras Two million turkeys are thrown away in the UK every Christmas generating 270,000 tonnes of food waste on the main course alone. Plan and portion your food ahead of time to reduce wasted food. If you’ve over bought, consider donating to a local charity who will be preparing meals for those in need.

9 – Christmas Tree Alternatives If you do choose a real tree, you can check that it is Grown-in-Britain Certified, and shop at forests local to you. You can also choose a potted tree that can be reused between years. Consider buying an artificial tree that you can continue to reuse over the years.

10 – Skip disposable tableware From plastic cups to paper napkins it can be tempting to skip the washing up, but plastic takes thousands of years to disintegrate. Instead, you can invest in reuseable, washable items that you can bring out each year as part of your festive traditions. Selecting good quality pieces will ensure that they will stand the test of time.