Christmas is a magical time of year but it is also one of significant excess and unnecessary waste. If we are to get serious about tackling the climate emergency, then even the festive season shouldn’t be off limits when it comes to making changes.

Below are ten top tips on how you can make a difference this Christmas and put ‘a more sustainable future’ at the top of your wish list.

1. When it comes to ‘reindeer food’ avoid packets that often contain glitter and can be bad for wildlife, what’s wrong with a good old-fashioned carrot!
   
   
2. With gifts, think quality, not quantity. Maybe introduce shared gift and secret Santa’s to encourage everyone to buy less and to help save on unwanted items. Cut back on plastic toys or switch to those made from recycled materials, wood and so on.
   
   
3. Avoid plastic coated wrapping paper and try use recycled kraft paper, which is both home compostable and recyclable. Most wrapping papers can not be recycled with your household recycling.   
   
   
4. Aim to buy cards that are made from recycled, paper and free from non-biodegradable glitter, badges and plastic wrapping. Or get crafting and make your own!
   
   
5. If you buy crackers again try and find some that are both recycled and recyclable and free of the unwanted plastic toys.
   
   
6. If you already own an artificial tree, enjoy it year after year for as long as you can. As and when you are in need of a new one, consider instead a real tree that is FSC or Soil Association approved.
   
   
7. Make or buy a reusable advent calendar and fill it with homemade goodies.
   
   
8. Try and avoid unnecessary food waste, buy what is needed. Buy your meat unwrapped from a local butcher, and your vegetables loose from a local greengrocer, farm shop or supermarkets.
   
   
9. When it comes to alcoholic or soft drinks, swap plastic bottles for glass or cans that can be recycled more sustainably.
   
   
10. At the end of it all and most importantly, ensure that you recycle and dispose of everything correctly when the fun is over. If in doubt, look online or contact your local council.  Remember to donate any unwanted gifts or leftovers (if in date and unopened) to a charity shop or food bank.

Not everyone can do everything but if we can each make changes, they really do add up.

Wishing you and your loved ones a safe and happy Christmas when it comes.