Have an eco-friendly winter holiday

The holiday season is fast approaching, and whether you are celebrating Christmas, Bodhi, Hanukkah or Pancha Ganapati, these winter holidays are often seen as a magical time for children. However, it’s also often seen as a period of overindulgence - which isn’t great news for our planet.

We’ve come up with some top tips for making your winter holiday an eco friendly one!

1. The Cards

They may look pretty, but cards covered in glitter can’t be recycled and would have to head to landfill. Not so good for the environment. Have a look at the Woodland Trust who have plastic free cards all FSC certified and can be fully recycled.

You could even take a look at cards made of seed paper so that when the card is finished with, you can plant it in your garden! (We love seed paper!!).

2. The Presents

Anyone else get to the end of the holidays and feel slightly overwhelmed with the amount of ‘stuff’ you have as a family?!

Think about making up your own eco-friendly hamper gifts. Choose from local suppliers and include plastic free beauty items and produce.

Instead of 'stuff', why not purchase an experience instead. Could be an appointment at a local spa, a day out with the family; the memories and photos will last longer.

Scour those secondhand shops. Not only can you pick up a bargain but you’re preventing new ‘stuff’ being created.

Finally take a look at innovative and sustainable brands such as Elvis and Kresse who make luxury handbags from decommissioned firehose. Or Tarp Hat whose hats are made from recycled truck tarpaulins from Brazil!

3. The Wrapping

You’ve got your present, how best to wrap it? Do the scrunch test. If you screw up your wrapping paper, does it pop back out again? If so then it’s got plastic in it that can’t be recycled.

Choose recycled paper where you can and think about using Sellotape’s new eco tape which is made from plant based, biodegradable materials.

You could even use knot fabric wraps instead. Head to the charity shop to pick up an old scarf that could then be used again.

4. The Food

Most of us know by the end of December that we’ve overindulged a bit during this period! How can you be a bit more eco-friendly when it comes to your food choices?

Make sure you choose free range and as local as possible from an environmentally friendly farm. Not only will they look after their animals better, but these farmers will encourage wildlife on the farms.

Try to only buy what you need and make good use of those leftovers. From turkey curry to turkey pie, there are some great ways to make sure you have as little waste as possible. Food waste is horrific for the environment. Just think of all that energy, fuel and water needed to produce, store and cook the food you purchase.

To go further with reducing food waste, check out Kitche, a new app designed to save you money and food waste at home.

5. The Crackers

It’s crackers to think about the amount of plastic waste that traditional crackers create. Usually only used for no more than a few hours and then make their way into the bin and eventually landfill.

Go for crackers that are able to be recycled with ethical gifts inside. The RSPB have some great options.

Or even think about creating your own, you could even buy fabric ones that can be use year after year.

6. The Tree

Try and go real if you can. You would be forgiven for thinking a plastic tree would be more eco friendly as it can be reused. However fake trees have more than twice the carbon footprint than that of real trees.

If you are going fake, try and get one you are going to keep for years to come, or, rent one. Or look for a tree grown in the local area and make sure you recycle it afterwards! The woodchip is often used as fertiliser!

We’d love to hear your eco-friendly holiday tips, tag us in your photos on social media so we can share the love!

Happy holidays from Earth Cubs!