This Christmas, try and focus on connection. Make small changes to becoming more eco-friendly, and aware of the amount of waste at this time of year.
Gifting
When it comes to Christmas, so many of us fall into the trap of buying gifts because we feel like we have to. If we try not to buy things we don’t need all year, why do we do this at Christmas? Rather than a last minute trip shopping trip just to put something under the tree, try not to buy presents just for the sake of it and contribute to the global waste problem. Did you know? Each year, the UK spends a total of £700 million on unwanted presents! As such, approximately £42 million of unwanted Christmas presents are thrown out in landfill each year. (Source)
This year, try buying repurposed gifts or antiques that you can give a new lease of life! If you do want to buy something new, try to shop local, independent businesses – not only does this support the local economy but also results in less CO2 emissions.
Another great gift idea is buying or organising an experience for someone, rather than gifting them material ‘things’. These kind of gifts create great memories together for you to treasure for years to come. Whether it’s a weekend away hiking or an adrenaline filled day, this is a great way to connect with loved ones and spend quality time together.
Packaging
Each year in the UK, our population will bin what equates to 108 million rolls of wrapping paper! Consumers will use 227,000 miles of wrapping paper each year – over 83km2 of this will end up in our bins. (Source) If you do buy wrapping paper, try and buy one that can be recycled – many aren’t recyclable, due to foil or glitter.
Try and get creative with your packaging – head to your local charity shop and pick up some scarves which also serve as an extra present! These can be used again and again each year. You could also keep any spare newspapers reuse the pages to wrap presents with, or just reuse old paper from gifts or packages you’ve received.
Self Love
Christmas can be a very overwhelming and busy time, and can also be difficult for those who may have lost loved ones. As a society we are becoming more and more aware of the importance of self-love and looking after both our physical and mental health. Therefore, this Christmas, ensure to take time to yourself to relax and recharge… Whatever this means to you – whether it’s a relaxing bath or a yoga session. And most importantly, enjoy the holidays!
