Some tips on how to have a Sustainable Christmas
Picture this, the Christmas tree is up, decorated just how you like, a Christmas movie on TV, maybe Elf or Home Alone. You look outside, and there is snow. A perfect white Christmas. Now, add in climate change, the cost-of-living crisis and climate anxiety, and suddenly there's no snow, and the ideal Christmas seems wasteful and perhaps not as jolly. But fear not; we can do so many little things to bring back some of that Christmas cheer while helping reduce our waste and also helping the earth and, most importantly, each other.
Whether Santa is dropping off a present on Christmas eve or it's a well-thought gift to a friend or family member, gifts are a part of Christmas; personally, I prefer the food. Still, let us talk about how to make giving gifts more sustainable and move towards less waste:
Shopping second hand. This is a fantastic way to reduce consumption, save money, and reduce waste. Shopping second-hand can cover so many different areas. Regarding clothes, there are charity shops but also online options such as Vinted or Depop and even eBay; this method of buying clothes will help reduce the effects of the fast fashion industry. If you've got a bookworm in your life, second-hand books are the way to go; if anyone has been to Leakeys in Inverness, it is perhaps one of the most magical book shops ever. I always feel like I have been transported into a fairytale library; finding my friends and family second-hand books in the bookshop with the fire roaring inside makes Christmas shopping fun rather than stressful.
Making Sustainable Choices. Sometimes it's best to do things little by little; maybe this year, you'll use recycled sellotape. The Health Shop in Inverness sells biodegradable, compostable and recyclable paper tape for all your gift-wrapping needs. Or maybe you'll only buy plastic-free veg when you're doing your food shop for your Christmas day meal. Following that, on boxing day, you could have leftover pie or sandwiches with turkey, reducing your food waste and saving you money.
Black Friday sales. (But make them sustainable) Everyone loves a good deal, and there's nothing better than feeling like you've got a bargain; however, if we move toward being more sustainable and less wasteful, it's wiser to buy what you need and not overconsume. One alternative happening in the highlands is fashion swaps; the Highland Community Waste Partnership hosts these swaps across the highlands; just think, you could get your dream piece of clothing for something you don't wear anymore. The idea of overconsumption can flow into other areas as well; imagine setting up your Christmas tree and noticing your lights don't work anymore; rather than throwing them away, why not get them fixed. There are repair cafes dotted about that could help you fix your lights rather than you buying new ones, reducing your waste.
Choosing local. one step in the right direction is also cutting down on places like Amazon and trying to shop locally where we can. Here in the highlands, we have things such as Exclusively Highlands. I have attended these events many times, and talking to the people who create and run these small local businesses is also a privilege. Local shops are also vital in cutting the carbon footprint of gifts. There are other local events in which you can participate to get into that Christmas spirit; an example is Corrimony farm, which is a climate-conscious farm and offers a wreath-making workshop using local sources of foliage.
There is the potential for local community groups to jump on this zero-waste/sustainable Christmas train. One group in the highlands is Socially growing; they offer a zero-waste Christmas wrapping workshop. There is room for more workshops and general advice, we all have little tips and tricks to share, and the only way to achieve our goal of a net zero future is by all working together; that's what Christmas is about, bringing people together. If any community groups wish to carry out a workshop or other events, that's where The Hub comes in, we can lend a hand to coordinate events and give support where you need it, and we can also see if you are eligible for funding. You could think of us as Santa's little helpers!
My Sustainable Christmas tip is making your own decorations; last year, I popped on my favourite Christmas music and made some white clay out of bicarbonate of soda, cornflower and water. Using a cookie cutter I already had lying around the house, I created stars and fun shapes to decorate my Christmas tree. This is a fun activity for everyone to get involved with and, best of all, new decorations without the packaging or plastic. There's something magical about them being homemade.
Homemade Christmas Decorations