10 EASY WAYS TO HAVE A GREENER CHRISTMAS Nov 23, 2021 | Creative, Environment, Home and garden Thame is fast becoming a much greener town – with amazing work carried out by various volunteer groups such as 21st Century Thame who kick-started the #ThameTrees project as well as the release and implementation of the Thame Green Living Plan. We’re also seeing an increase in local producers and shops taking their impact on our environment more seriously through their own actions and commitments made as part of Thame COP26. So we thought we’d help you join in the greener spirit of Thame by giving you 10 easy ways to have a greener Christmas this year. We can all play our part to protect our environment for generations to come. 10 EASY WAYS TO HAVE A GREENER CHRISTMAS 1. BUY AS LOCALLY AS POSSIBLE There’s been lots of talk about food miles – but what about gift and decoration miles too? An easy way to be greener this Christmas (and support local trade) is to buy as locally as possible. There are lots of great places to buy food, drinks, gifts and decorations this Christmas that help you reduce miles As well as local producers selling from their farms, stores or online shops, there are lots of local Christmas markets happening so why not pop along to one of those. 2. OPT FOR A POTTED TREE If you’re in the market for a new tree this year then consider buying a potted tree. You can buy a great selection of potted trees in all sorts of shapes and sizes. Check out local garden centres to see what they have to offer. While your tree is dressed up and enjoying Christmas with you indoors it’s important to keep it away from radiators and keep it well hydrated – but our tree has survived well for 7 years now and still going strong. We treated our tree to its own Christmas present a few years ago and bought it a new big red pot so the roots could have a trim and stay healthy. The pot looks even more Christamassy now AND adds a splash of colour to the garden when the tree is outside. 3. GET CREATIVE WITH YOUR WRAPPING There is so much choice of wrapping paper but many papers are not recyclable – especially those with foil or glitter. But you can make your gifts look just as fab AND recyclable. It works out both green and cost-effective to reuse paper from previous years or to buy a large roll of plain paper and get creative with decoration. Once you start looking around the house for things to decorate your gifts with you’ll be amazed at what you can find! You’ll start to become aware throughout the year of the things you can keep hold of for next Christmas (or birthdays). Warning – it can become a bit addictive. If you don’t feel very creative then look online for some more inspiration. If you don’t have time to get creative then at least be aware of the type of paper you are buying and whether it is recyclable. Decoration options Plant-based glitter and glues Plant-based inks and stamps Reuse and upcycle ribbons, ropes and anything else you can find Raid the garden or go on a walk to find sticks and evergreen materials 4. REDUCE FOOD WASTE Christmas is an easy time of year to overbuy and waste food – but there are lots of ways to minimise food waste and still feel like you have everything you need. Top ways to reduce your food waste this Christmas Coordinate with friends and family so you don’t end up with lots of duplicates at get-togethers Buy fresh food lose and local Don’t get sucked in by offers and deals if you don’t actually need what’s on offer Prep and/or buy cook from frozen snacks and party food to minimise waste on fresh food Freeze excess fresh ingredients such as slices of lemons/limes for drinks, fresh herbs (article for inspiration about this coming soon!) 5. BE AWARE OF YOUR HEATING TIMING If you know you’ll be having your oven on or generating heat in your house from cooking then do you really need the heating on too? The size and layout of your home will determine this but be aware of your heating timing and whether you really need both the heating and the oven on only to open your windows as your home gets too hot! If you know you’ll be cooking really then consider turning the thermostat down before you go to bed. 6. GO PLANT-BASED WHEN IT COMES TO GLITTER If you really can’t have a Christmas without the sparkly stuff then source more eco-friendly glitter. There are a few places that now stock plant-based glitter which will still give you some glitz but without the negative environmental impact. 7. GO ECO AND ADD EXTRA MEANING AND FUN TO ADVENT CALENDARS Advent calendars are a great way to go green and that personal touch to Christmas. Buy or make a reusable advent calendar and personalise them for your children, other loved ones or even pets. Include jokes, edible goodies or some Christmas facts. You can theme them – kids love dinosaurs or space? Include a fact a day about their favourite subject. Does the spouse have a favourite TV show or author – or both? Include quotes from the shows or actors. 8. QUESTION YOUR CARD-BUYING HABITS Questioning your usual card-buying habits is a great and easy way to reduce unnecessary waste this Christmas. Be aware of the types of cards you buy – are they recycled? Are they recyclable? Do you even need to give as many cards as you do? Many people will understand getting a present that’s meaningful minus the card if they share your eco-ethics. It’s not just the cards that create land-fill, it’s the packaging they come in. 9. CREATE YOUR OWN DECORATIONS Creating your own Christmas decorations is something the whole family can get involved in. Some of the ideas below will last you for years to come and bring back all of the fun memories of creating them every time you unpack your Christmas decorations. As well as the ideas below, do your own research on homemade Christmas decorations as there are so many options! Creating your own decorations is a great way to minimise the use of non-eco Christmas decorations such as tinsel, glitter and plastic. Dried food such as oranges or cinnamon sticks (both smell great) Gingerbread men, trees, stars – whatever else you want to create Paperchains using recyclable paper Reusable wooden decorations Reusable crocheted, knitted or sewn decorations Homemade felt garlands 10. OPT FOR NON-PHYSICAL GIFTS If someone already has a lot of ‘stuff’ or doesn’t want anything in particular then why not give them one of the following? A day out and lunch with you Charity or museum membership Gym trial or membership Theatre tickets Take them to a sports match Arts and craft class vouchers Pamper vouchers SHARE YOUR IDEAS FOR A GREENER CHRISTMAS Got an idea, tips or habits that can help others be greener this Christmas? Send us your thoughts as we’d love to publish quotes and tips from the community on our social media channels. AUTHOR Laura Fellows, Thame.net Laura is the owner and main editor of Thame.net. Laura is also the owner of Thame-based marketing consultancy Hamsterlips. Laura brings her passion for marketing and the local community together to create content for Thame.net and works with local people, businesses and community groups to do the same. 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