This Christmas, make sure your tree isn’t the only thing that’s green.
There’s lots of ways you can make sure you can have a more sustainable festive period. Whether that be by recycling your wrapping, or even turning down the thermostat and letting the heat from your Christmas Dinner warm your house instead.
Here are some of our top tips from our Resident Sustainability Champions to make sure you’re getting the most for your money.
Presence, not presents
Instead of spending money at large retailers in search for the perfect gift, focus on the presence around your tree, not the presents. Christmas is a time to get your loved ones together in the same room and spend time making memories. Just think, we remember the moments more. Making token gifts for one another is a great way to save money and give each other something more meaningful.
Embrace a cosy Christmas
Swapping your lights for battery operated fairy lights and grabbing your favourite Christmas knit is a great way to reduce your energy consumption and embrace a cosier Christmas. Why not take it further switch off the screens for a family board game battle?
Winner, winner, sustainable dinner
We get it, Christmas dinner is the main event, however, try not to buy more food than you need. Sourcing your vegetables from a local greengrocer is a great way to perfectly portion your plates, as well as helping ditch plastic wrapped goods, too.
Did someone say turkey sandwiches? On average, every Christmas, we bin 54 million platefuls of food. Make sure you saviour any leftover foods for those boxing day sarnies or a bubble and squeak tea!
Recycle your wrap
Did you know, every year, we get through more than 40 million rolls of sticky tape, and bin the equivalent of 108 million rolls of wrapping paper? This year, why not recycle your wrapping paper. Why not try upcycling old parcel packaging to Christmas wrapping by using stamps, or turn kitchen roll tubes to gift boxes? Don’t want to get crafty? Just reuse your old paper for a quicker, sustainable gift wrap.
Think of wildlife this winter
It wont just be us feeling the cold! Remember to think of wildlife this winter. You can feed the birds, plant seed for insects bees and butterflies or even make your Secret Santa gift a small donation to a local animal sanctuary.
Have some tips for a greener Christmas? Get in touch, we’d love to hear them! environment@southernhousing.org.uk