4 Christmas Traditions You Love, But With Sustainable Swaps
We love our Christmas traditions, both familiar and new; especially this year with Marvellous Mandarin & Spice – our Christmas pudding-inspired Festive Limited Edition. But, with our mind always tuned into a more conscious way of living, we’re sharing our top sustainable ritual switch-ups this season for you to try yourself at home.
1.Buying A New Festive Wreath
Swap: Forage Your Own
It’s cost-saving, gets you out in the fresh air and is easier than it sounds. But don’t just take our word for it; here’s some pro tips from interior stylist Aurelien Farjon, @aurelieninteriors:
- For the most beautiful results, gather a mix of textures such as spruce, ivy, holly, pine and dried cones. Herbs like rosemary and sage look elegant and bring an extra layer of scent. Just remember to take only what you need and leave the berries for the birds.
- Using a ring base, create little bundles of foliage and attach them on with wire – make sure to wear gloves!
- Dress up with cinnamon sticks, dried fruit and ribbon – any leftovers you can use for your tree, tablescape and wrapping.
2.Going Tree Shopping
Swap: Adopt A ‘Tree For Life’
Companies like Rental Claus will deliver your tree in a pot, pick it up after and the trees are re-planted in between Christmases. ‘‘Lots of people take the same one home every December – they even name them!’’, says Craig Tennock, who created the renting scheme on his farm in the Cotswolds, ‘‘They shoot up at about a foot a year, meaning families can pick one to literally grow with their children.’’
Complete the look: hang dried orange slices (you can buy these online to save time) tied with a herb and string – don’t forget to add some twinkle with our Festive Baubles.
3.Using 'Just For Christmas’ Wrapping
Swap: Make It Yourself & Upcycle
Instead of buying new paper, give your all-season packaging a festive flourish. Old Christmas cards make charming gift tags, embellished with cinnamon sticks and some clippings of your tree. Our ‘no wrapping required’ gift boxes are created from recycled materials and make luxurious storage boxes – perfect for gathering up wrapping bits and bobs for next time, which saves even more going to landfill.
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4.Cooking An (Overly) Magnificent Feast
Swap: Donate What You Can
We know it’s hard to shake off the ‘more, the merrier’ approach when it comes to festive food, so why not spread the joy even further? If you can’t go to a foodbank, apps like Olio allow you to advertise excess food to the local community and arrange for someone to collect it. Why not put together a hamper of unused baking staples, fruit that’s still good – and perhaps those unloved presents that deserve a better home?