How to Have a Sustainable Christmas Party That's Fun For You AND the Environment
Christmas is our favourite time of the year as we catch up with family and friends to celebrate together - but did you know there are ways you can enjoy the festivities more sustainably with less impact on the environment? Here are some tips to have a more eco-friendly Christmas this year!
1. Wrap Gifts With Less Waste
After thoughtfully choosing gifts that will last, with minimal packaging and impact on the environment, re-think your gift wrapping options.
Wrapping paper is not only single-use and wasteful, it is often not widely recyclable due to the heavy colour or glossy print and glittery additions.
Try reusing paper bags you may have leftover or lying around, reusable wrapping cloths, or reusable bags instead to inspire more reuse over single-use!
2. Get Creative with Your Christmas Tree
With an estimated millions of Christmas trees thrown into landfill each year, there are some wonderfully fun, more eco-friendly alternatives to Christmas trees around you can try:
- The Christmas Tree Wall Hanging
- The Wooden Tree Wall Hanging
A real Christmas tree is also more environmentally friendly than an artificial plastic tree, but it is still wasting a tree that's taken a few years to grow to serve as your decoration for just one Christmas.
Still have a Christmas tree?
If you're new to trying to celebrating Christmas a little more sustainably, and have an existing artificial tree that's still in good condition, be sure to make the most of it - you are still reusing it each year and not adding to unnecessary landfill waste :)
3. Choose Environmentally Friendly Decorations
Choose Christmas decorations that are well-made from sustainable materials so that you know they will not only last, but at their end of life, you can dispose of them without adding to landfill waste.
New to trying to have a more sustainable festive season? Not to worry - be sure to reuse all of your existing decorations and make the most of them!
4. Get LED Christmas Lights
LED lights are much more energy efficient, giving off less heat, more light, at a lower cost. LEDs are also recyclable, and with no toxic pollutants. There is simply no reason to not choose LED lights, festive or not festive!
5. Try Eco-Friendly Crackers
There are more and more reusable options available for Christmas crackers as we think more about reducing single-use waste.
Our favourite is the reusable Christmas Re-Crackers from Waste-Free Celebrations! Washable, snaps like the traditional crackers, and slides back together for use again and again - simply refill with their waste-free gifts with each use.
So simple, and with no waste.
6. Minimise Food Waste
Christmas parties are always filled with great food and drinks, but often with so much leftover food afterwards!
Try planning your menu with your family or friends to reduce food wastage. Be sure to prepare for leftovers with reusable containers - not only can you minimise waste, but everyone can chill the next day with an easy, delicious leftover meal!
7. Eat More Plants, Less Animals
Did you know that eating less meat is better for you AND the planet?
Eating less meat is not only better for your health, reduces impact on the environment too.
Livestock creates just as much greenhouse gas emissions as cars; in fact, up to 51% of greenhouse gas emissions is the result of animal agriculture.
Land also has to be cleared of trees to farm animals, from growing food to feed them, to housing them.
Meat is an important part of our diet, but we should find ways to reduce, not eliminate, our meat consumption.
8. Say No to Single-Use and Disposables
As easy and convenient it may be to just get disposable single-use tablecloths and tableware, especially if you're entertaining a large group, do yourself and the planet a favour, and choose more sustainable options.
P.S. Your beautiful tableware sets will probably look better on the dining table anyway!
It's easier than you think to celebrate in a way that feels good for yourself AND the planet, even if it's just a little at a time, because every bit helps to contribute to a more sustainable way of living.