An eco-friendly festive home
Are you dreaming of a green Christmas? Then try these ideas!
Christmas trees
In the UK we buy between eight and ten million ‘real’ Christmas trees each year that are taken down a few weeks later. So buy local if possible, and look for Forest Stewardship Council certification and Soil Association approval. Always use your local authority’s dedicated collection service if available. A tree with a root ball or in a pot that is planted out for the rest of the year is environmentally friendly, or rent a tree, which will be collected and replanted afterwards. Artificial trees are sadly still plastic, so if you have one reuse it for as long as possible.
Tree ornaments
Nothing is as sustainable as using Christmas baubles you already have and if you want to refresh your stock of tree decorations, consider buying vintage ones. Buy from a local craftsperson or an online platform such as Etsy or Folksy (ideally someone using sustainable materials), or make some yourself. There is a world of inspiration in books, magazines, online or in hobby supply stores.
Front-door wreaths
Making a front-door wreath using fresh foliage is a wonderful, sustainable way to adorn your home (and it can be composted afterwards). Artificial wreaths are only sustainable if reused, but can easily be refreshed with a few extra seasonal embellishments, such as dried, sliced oranges, pine cones or sprigs of holly.
Lights
Choosing LED lights for your festive decorations saves energy and money, and is good for the planet, too. Use a timer, or switch them off overnight and when you’re out. Visit Rugby Electrical in Church Street, Rugby.
Gift wrap
Stick to paper if possible or consider fabric, Japanese-style (furoshiki). Use alternatives to sticky tape such as brown-paper tape, twine, ribbons and washi tape, which is made from renewable sources.
Table settings
Use fabric that can be washed repeatedly for Christmas tablecloths and napkins. Choose reusable card or fabric crackers that you fill yourself with personalised gifts year after year.
Advent calendars
DIY perpetual advent calendars can be brought out every year and filled with carefully chosen goodies. Either make your own or buy from a great choice, from tiny knitted stockings on a string to wooden houses with numbered doors.
Scent
You generally get what you pay for with scented candles in terms of a gorgeous scent and longer burn time, so it’s worth spending a little more if possible. Choose vegetable wax or beeswax candles, and scents made from essential oils rather than chemicals.
Myton Hospice are offering a real Christmas tree collection service (14th and 15th Jan) - they welcome a donation to support two local charities. Register your interest at mytonhospice/trees
“have yourself a very merry Christmas and help raise money...”