Green & Jolly: 7 Ways to Reduce Waste This Christmas

November 29, 2024 • Grace Micere

craft wrapping papers for Christmas gifts

Christmas is a time for joy, giving, and lots of gifts! It’s the season of festive chaos, from untangling string lights to the joy of watching loved ones open perfectly chosen gifts and the endless excuses to eat just one more gingerbread cookie. It’s not just a day; it’s a vibe!

Often times, gifting our loved ones results in a lot of waste. Between wrapping paper mountains, forgotten leftovers, and disposable decorations, the holiday season can leave quite the footprint.

But don’t worry! You can still have a holly, jolly Christmas while keeping it eco-friendly. We’ve put together the top seven things you can do to reduce waste this Christmas, without having to take the fun out of the festivities.

How to Reduce Waste This Christmas

Did you know that the UK alone creates 30% more waste during the holidays? From piles of discarded packaging to uneaten food, it all adds up. But the good news is that making a few small changes can help you enjoy a joyful festive season that’s also kind to the planet.

1. Rethink Wrapping Paper

Who says presents need to be wrapped in shiny, single-use paper? There are several other ways to make your gift look neat and presentable without having to use single-use materials. For instance, embrace the art of fabric wrapping by using scarves, tea towels, or reusable wraps like Furoshiki. This is a chic, zero-waste alternative where the wrapping is part of the gift too!

Another waste-free wrapping option is to use 100% plastic-free and recyclable materials. Things like kraft paper, old maps, or even magazine pages can give your gift a rustic and unique look. You can then use twine and natural flowers in place of plastic ribbons. Another thoughtful option is reusable bags, such as tote bags or drawstring pouches, turning the wrapping into a practical, bonus gift that keeps on giving.

2. Get Creative with Gifts

Memories will always beat material items because we never forget them. Swap "stuff" for unforgettable experiences like concert tickets, cooking classes, or a streaming service subscription. Why give gifts that might end up gathering dust in the back of a cupboard when you can choose something meaningful and sustainable?

You could also go the DIY route with heartfelt delights like homemade jams, hand-poured candles, or personalized photo albums. These items allow you to skip the unnecessary packaging and double down on thoughtfulness. In addition, sustainable finds like bamboo socks, bamboo utensils, stylish reusable water bottles, and a cute compost bin make practical gifts for your eco-conscious family members.

3. Deck the Halls Sustainably

Instead of plastic decorations, you can bring nature indoors with pinecones, evergreen branches, and bright red berries to create stunning DIY centerpieces or garlands. Mother Nature’s decorations are beautiful, bring freshness to your home and are 100% biodegradable!

For long-lasting charm, invest in reusable décor that you’ll adore year after year, or hunt down vintage ornaments for a nostalgic touch packed with character. And if you’re feeling crafty, you can whip up your own ornaments with salt dough, paper snowflakes, or cinnamon sticks to add a personalized, waste-free sparkle to your home. Make your holiday décor as sustainable as it is stunning!

4. Feast with Less Waste

Holiday feasts are the highlight of the season, but they don’t have to come with mountains of leftovers and disposable packaging. Success begins from the planning phase. Instead of overbuying snacks and drinks that your guests won’t enjoy, map out a menu that matches your crowd.

When it’s time to serve, ditch the disposables and go for real plates and glasses. These are more festive, eco-friendly, and make your table look extra fancy. As for the leftovers? They’re the gift that keeps on giving! Turn turkey into sandwiches, mashed potatoes into crispy pancakes, or stuffing into glorious waffles. Waste less, feast more—it’s a win-win!

5. Give Back

The holiday season is all about generosity. You can extend some of that goodwill to the planet too. If you unwrap something that’s not quite your style, don’t let it gather dust. Instead, pass it along to someone who’ll truly appreciate it. Another great idea is to gather your friends and host a gift swap where you exchange pre-loved treasures or handmade goodies. It’s thrifty, thoughtful, and way more fun than a mall marathon.

Another great way to give back is to buy gifts from businesses that are planet conscious and embrace eco-friendly practices. For instance, getting bamboo Christmas socks from Bare Kind guarantees you get luxuriously soft, comfortable and stylish festive socks that donate to saving animals.

These colourful bamboo socks donate 10% of profits to our 35+ charity partners to help save the animal on your socks. They make the perfect matching stocking stuffers for the whole family. Our novelty socks come in 100% plastic-free packaging that’s printed using non-toxic dyes and inks. You can spread the cheer this year while keeping it green.

6. Light Up Sustainably

While twinkling lights are pure holiday magic, they can also be a bit of an energy hog. You can keep the sparkle without the power drain by switching to energy-efficient LED string lights. They last longer, use less electricity, and still shine bright.

If you’re lighting up the yard, let the sun do the work. Solar-powered decorations are a smart and green way to go. Don’t forget to set a timer for your lights, so they don’t burn all night long. Your electric bill and the planet will thank you for it. Keep the glow without the guilt.

7. Spread the Word

Finally, it’s time for you to shout it from the rooftops. As you lead by example, get your friends and family in on the green Christmas action. Show off your eco-friendly wrapping or DIY décor on social media—after all, who doesn’t love a little holiday inspiration? Encourage thoughtful gifting by suggesting Secret Santa exchanges or group gifts to cut down on the clutter, waste and costs.

You can also make it fun by turning waste-reduction efforts into a holiday challenge. Turn on the creative juices by coming up with exciting games. For instance, you can compete tosee who can come up with the most creative reusable wrapping. Getting everyone involved suddenly makes going green feel like the best part of the season!

Wrapping Up

In a nutshell, being green doesn’t mean sacrificing any of the joy, laughter, or magic that Christmas brings. Just a few simple changes can help you reduce waste while still enjoying every festive moment. You can rethink wrapping paper, get creative with gifts, deck the halls sustainably and feast with less waste. You can also buy gifts that give back, light up sustainably and spread the word about the benefits of going green this Christmas.

Bare Kind Christmas socks make great festive gifts for animal lovers and planet enthusiasts alike. Not only do we save animals with 10% or profits, but we also make them ethically, embracing ecological practices that reduce waste and pollution.

Browse our Christmas socks collection to find multiple designs of animal novelty socks that make the perfect stocking stuffers. They’re made from bamboo fibre that’s softer than cashmere and warmer than cotton. In other words, they feel as good as they look.

So go ahead, lead the charge toward a greener Christmas, and inspire others to join in the fun. After all, the best gift we can give this holiday season is a future that’s as bright as those twinkling lights!