Over the past few years, many of us have become more conscious of the impact our actions are having on the environment. My 2020 resolution was to be more sustainable within my daily life and of course, that includes Christmas to. Although I haven’t really documented my journey this year, I did want to mention a few ideas of how you can be more sustainable at Christmas. I believe that if we all do our bit, we can make such a positive impact.
Give Gift Experiences
I know I have written a few gift guides this year, which I will leave linked at the bottom of this post. However, another option is to give the gift of an experience rather than material gift. Not only is this more sustainable, you also aren’t cluttering up someone’s home. Even better is the fact that you are allowing someone to do something they probably wouldn’t pay for themselves. Its a great way of creating new memories too. I have been gifted a couple of these and have loved them. I’ve already done a tram driving experience and have an indoor skydive to book post covid.
Shop Preloved
Rewind ten years ago and so many people would refuse to buy second hand. Nowadays, its so much more acceptable and you can pick up some great bargains. I love nothing more than having a browse in charity shops or on Ebay and Marketplace to find things. I have also found so many items that are still in original packaging or still have tags attached.
Recycled Gifts
Recycled gifts have become more popular in recent years. Making gifts out of recycled material is such a great way of giving something a new lease of life. As an aviation enthusiast, I was given a model plane made out of old cogs and other bits from actual aircraft. Other options I’ve seen are make up bags made out of recycled fabrics as well as homeware gifts made out of old tyres. There are so many great options you can find with just a quick look on the internet.
Use Sustainable Christmas Cards
In an ideal world, everyone would sent e-cards, however, understandably this isn’t for everyone. If you are still one of those people who sends Christmas cards, making sure they are sustainable is key. I already have a post all about this featuring Little Green Paper Shop , so I won’t repeat myself. However if you want to know more, check out this post.
Plan A Leftover Menu
We have all been there. Just before Christmas, you have that sudden panic that you won’t have enough food for your guests and you end up picking up a few more bits. You all have a lovely Christmas and then wake up on Boxing Day to a fridge full of food that could probably supply a whole town. Planning a leftover menu in advance is a great option. If you have a back up plan with different options for things that might be leftover, you don’t have that panic on Boxing Day. It also saves you from eating Turkey sandwiches for the next couple of days. There are so many delicious recipes on Pinterest, save a few and feel more prepared. It will even give you more time to sit and watch films or use the items you were gifted for Christmas.
The Kelly Diane Report 
You’ve got some great ideas, there has been times when we order to much food for Christmas Day, but lucky enough we always like to make a bubbel and squeak for Boxing Day,
Thanks for sharing this post 😁
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This post is so important! I’ve tried to be more sustainable every year, picking up more tips each year. Love the idea of a leftover menu xx
http://www.dellalovesnutella.co.uk/
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These are all great ways to be a little greener at Christmas and the rest of the year! Thanks for sharing.
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I love this! I’m always looking for ways to be more sustainable. I love the leftover menu idea.
Thanks for sharing
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One thing I’m going to do next year is by recyclable Christmas cards, the way I recycle gifts is if I’m not going to use it, rather than chucking it, I give it to someone else for their birthday if I know they’re going to use it! A great sustainable post Kelly! x
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
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Some fab ideas here – I think a leftover menu is a great idea to reduce wastage!
Tash – A Girl with a View
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These are such great ideas on how to be more sustainable this Christmas season. Thanks so much for sharing!
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Such great ideas! Gifting experiences instead of a material present is such a good one! I am already planning sandwiches and casseroles with leftovers. Thanks for sharing xx
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These are great ideas! I usually always buy tickets to an event/concert for my brother, but have refrained this time as we don’t know how the next year will pan out. We always have a plan for leftover Christmas pie…everything left from Christmas dinner goes into one big pie and it is absolutely delicious!
Thanks for sharing!
Aimsy xoxo
https://www.aimsysantics.co.uk
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Christmas pie sounds amazing.
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Amazing post and ideas, Kelly! We’ll be utilizing leftovers like we do every holiday, but I never thought of recycling gifts!
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Great ideas Kelly! I love that your new year’s resolution is to be more sustainable. I absolutely LOVE leftovers so no problem there. I also love experience gifts, both giving and receiving them. Thank you for sharing! If we could all make even just a few changes towards being more sustainable, it can really add up!
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Liked your ideas about being sustainable this Christmas, especially giving preloved things in gifts, it was something common when I was a small child and gradually it became social stigma and people moved towards gifting fancy and new things. I am glad there are lots of things where people have started considering buying and gifting preloved stuff.
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Being sustainable this Christmas is the planet we live in requires from everybody. A good post…
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These are some great suggestions! I also love gift experiences – brilliant idea that puts a smile on someone’s face 🙂
Coralle x
https://justcoralle.com
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These are great ideas especially shopping secondhand for gifts! I also gave my friend a seed paper card from Little Green Paper shop & she loved that you can plant it!
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Thanks for sharing your ideas, they all look lovely 🙂
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