25 ideas for an ethical Christmas

Activities & festivities!

• Check online for free local events – you might be surprised by the festivities you find right round the corner. Save on travel across town by going local.
• Host a party that's free from single-use plastic and get your friends and family in on the challenge. 
• You might not be able to book a sleigh ride, but if you’re travelling over Christmas, why not go by train?
• Get some friends together for a Christmas craft evening, using only items you are upcycling or recycling. 
• Time to refresh your wardrobe? How about holding a Christmas clothes swap to find a new festive outfit?

Deck the halls

• Make recycled bunting made from old magazine, cards, books and fliers. This is great for getting young ones involved.
• Make your own wreath out of old fabric or foliage from the garden.
• Did you know that you can rent a Christmas tree from some garden centres and plant nurseries? Often they’ll even deliver and collect the tree, and it can carry on growing it after it’s returned.
• Share some festive cheer by decorating your house with solar lights.
• Rather than buying new ones, why not make your own tree decorations?



Give good gifts

• Go waste-free by gifting someone an experience they’ll love. Cooking classes? Golf lessons? Tickets to a show? 
• Give a fair trade gift: check out these Traidcraft Christmas gift ideas for 2019
• Get crafty and upcycle some old, unused or tired items into a one-of-a-kind gift. 
• Forage in your local charity shops for second-hand gift inspiration and decorations.
• How about a waste-reducing gift that keeps on giving? You could give a reusable cup or bottle, or buy someone a shampoo bar to introduce them to the joys of plastic-free toiletries. 

Food, glorious food

• As always, try to buy loose vegetables and buy ingredients from bulk bins, to avoid plastic packaging. Take containers or reusable fabric bags with you to start your food plans with a waste-reducing win!
• If you’re going away for the holidays, clear out the fridge first by holding a food-waste Christmas feast. 
• Unleash your inner Masterchef by using up your Christmas leftovers in one of these leftover recipes.
• Have yourself a veggie little Christmas by swapping your meat for butternut squash wellington or a nut roast.
• Why not try making your own edible gifts, like some gingerbread treats?



That’s a wrap...

• Sellotape and wrapping paper often can’t be recycled, so why not wrap up your gifts in recycled/recyclable wrapping paper? 
• Make your own Christmas cards using recycled paper to cut back on paper waste. Or embrace technology and send a digital e-card. 
• Don’t forget to take your reusable shopping bags for any last-minute dashes to the supermarket.
• Why not take some technology-free time today reflecting and praying to get ready to celebrate Jesus, the reason for the season?
• Finally, remember to rest and enjoy the day. Have a very merry Christmas!