With Autumn behind us, winter is here and with it comes the festive period, a time for sharing joy, allowing yourself indulgences you would not otherwise, and being closer to loved ones.
One unfortunate consequence of this for many people is an increase in waste, with enough wrapping paper being thrown away that according to estimates published by WRAP, it could stretch from London to the Moon.
However, that is beginning to change, with a growing number of people choosing to shop for Christmas at an ethical store, choosing more environmentally friendly packaging such as brown paper rather than binning tonnes of wrapping paper, and choosing gifts that are cherished for life, not just for Christmas.
This Christmas features even more options for an eco-friendly Christmas than ever before, and with that in mind here are some top tips for ethical gift-giving.
Eat Seasonal
One of the greatest aspects of Christmas Dinner regardless of the roast at the centre of it is that nearly every component of it is seasonal, which means it can be sourced locally on British farms that support healthy soils and diverse habitats.
Parsnips, carrots, sprouts and potatoes are popular festive delights that are not only nourishing and nutritious but have less of an effect on the environment.
Waste Not Want Not
A delightful tradition in many families is to use every single aspect of Christmas dinner on subsequent days.
Roast dinner leftovers so easily can be used in sandwiches, soups, curries and other later meals throughout the Christmas week, and the less that ends up in the bin, the better.
Be Creative
Decorations do not and should not be single-use, so a great way to make your Christmas Tree stand out is to get out construction materials and make your own baubles, trinkets and tree toppers.
This is also a great way to keep kids entertained in the build-up to Christmas, and they can feel proud that their decorations take pride of place as part of a family Christmas tradition.
