How to Have a Sustainable Christmas This Year

Christmas is a brilliant time for joy, generosity and togetherness, but it’s also one of the most wasteful times of the year.

The UK alone generates around 30% more waste during the festive period compared to the rest of the year. From the 50,000 trees that are cut down each year to make enough paper to wrap presents, to unwanted gifts and leftover food, the environmental cost of Christmas continues to rise (Gov.uk).

So this year, why not celebrate more consciously? Let’s make a choice to embrace a sustainable Christmas. You can enjoy all the magic of the festive season while helping protect the planet for future generations.

Here’s how…

1. Support Local and Independent Businesses

One of the easiest ways to make your Christmas more sustainable is by shopping locally. Independent shops, makers and producers often offer unique, high-quality products made with care and smaller environmental footprints.

Buying local supports your community, reduces transport emissions and keeps money circulating in the local economy – all while giving gifts that feel personal and meaningful. Think artisanal food hampers, locally crafted jewellery, or vouchers for experiences close to home.

💡 Did you know? The average Brit spends about £600 a year on Christmas gifts & buys for 6-10 people, so roughly £50 per present. If every person in the UK bought just one gift from a local independent business instead, it would generate an extra £2.6 billion of revenue into the hands of skilled, creative, purpose-led local businesses rather than the standard profit-obsessed multi-national giants.

2. Avoid Unnecessary Gifts

Every year, millions of unwanted gifts are exchanged and many get put in a drawer never to be used. It’s estimated that 23 million unwanted Christmas gifts end up in landfill each year in the UK. That adds up to approximately £42 million of wasted money (Yorwaste.co.uk).

Instead of buying for the sake of it, focus on meaningful, thoughtful gifts. You could:

• Organise a Secret Santa with a spending limit.
• Give the gift of experiences – a concert, cooking class, weekend away or a homemade voucher for time spent together.
• Create a personalised gift – bake a portion of their favourite treat or showcase your crafting skills to create something wonderful and heartfelt.

This approach reduces waste and helps shift the focus from quantity to quality and from clutter to connection.

💷Special Mention: Goes to the wonderful Martin Lewis’s Christmas message from 2018 here (click here to view it if you’ve not seen it before). As he says, Christmas is not a time to put yourself into debt by buying unnecessary gifts.

3. Embrace Second-Hand and Refurbished Gifts

Buying second-hand or refurbished items is one of the most effective ways to have a low-waste Christmas. Refurbished tech, vintage clothes, and pre-loved books or toys can make incredible gifts with character and charm.

Websites and local shops that specialise in refurbished or preloved goods are full of treasures waiting for a second life. You’ll save money, support the circular economy, and help cut down on manufacturing-related emissions.

♻️ Fun fact: Every year, UK households discard an average of three extra bin bags of packaging waste during Christmas – much of it from new purchases. Choosing second-hand helps break that cycle (GWP Group).

4. Repair, Restore and Reimagine

Sometimes the most meaningful gifts aren’t new – they’re renewed. This is our personal favourite option. We truly believe that having a sentimental item repaired or refurbished to hand down to the next generation is one of the most beautiful gifts you can give.

A restored watch, reupholstered chair, or repaired piece of family jewellery carries a story – something money can’t buy. This not only reduces waste but also strengthens emotional connection and tradition.

🌍 And remember… every item repaired or refurbished is another item saved from landfill and another local independent business supported. Check out the fabulous repairers in our directory here.

5. Wrap It Right

Gift wrapping can be surprisingly wasteful, especially the shiny, glittery paper that can’t be recycled. Opt for recyclable brown kraft paper, fabric wraps or reusable gift bags instead. Decorate them with dried orange slices, pine sprigs, or twine for a rustic, eco-friendly look.

💚 Consider this: Get started early and get the family involved. Set aside a Sunday afternoon in November with a roll of brown kraft paper and let the family loose with stamps, pens or paints to create your very own personalised wrapping paper (no glitter though!). Create wrapping paper that’s guaranteed to bring more smiles on Christmas morning than shop bought and once it’s done its job, it can be recycled in household recycling bins…win win!

🌟 A Christmas That Truly Gives Back

A sustainable Christmas doesn’t mean giving up joy or tradition – it means embracing them more mindfully. By supporting local makers and businesses, buying less but better and cherishing what we already have, we can make this season one that truly gives back.

The key to it all is to start thinking about your plans now. Sustainable choices can take more effort and more time, but the rewards you get (and give) are 100% worth it.

Let’s make this Christmas not just merry and bright but kind to the planet too.