Whether you’re looking at your cost of living or have the planet as a priority, here are Helen Farmer's suggestions to prevent wastage during Christmas
THE TREE
It’s an ongoing debate – real vs fake? Which is better for the environment? Research suggests that you’d have to reuse your artificial tree 20 times for it to be greener than that sweet-smelling fir. Ideally, try to compost your real one come January, and Spinneys is offering a collection service to make it easier on you. Alternatively, if your aesthetic or lifestyle requires you to fake it, look for a classic you could reuse – Spinneys offers big and small trees to suit every home.
In terms of decorations, the most sustainable way to make that tree sparkle is with LED lights and decorations that you use again every year.
WHAT TO EAT
There’s something about Christmas that has people shopping like the apocalypse is coming, which often results in a fridge of uneaten leftovers that inevitably get chucked out. Planning for meals, days and number of guests means you’ll buy less, to begin with, and if you really do need a lot, try to eat everything in your freezer to free up some space.
Where your items are coming from is just as important and choosing local makes a big difference to those food miles, from opting for veggies grown in the UAE to Dibba Bay oysters.
GIFTS
There might be something breathtaking about a bounty of beautifully wrapped gifts under the tree, but landfills typically see a spike after the holidays, from cards to unwanted presents. Be mindful that everything you buy affects surrounding ecosystems: it takes energy, natural resources and raw materials such as trees or fossil fuels to manufacture what you see on the shelf, be it IRL or virtual.
In terms of wrapping, gift wrap isn’t easy to recycle, so try to swap these out for squares of fabric, brown paper (get the kids involved in rubber stamping designs) and reusable gift bags. Take it a step further and turn last year’s cards into this year’s tags.
WHAT TO WEAR
Break out the sequins, it’s Christmas! As tempting as it is to add another shimmering number to your closet, your price per wear is going to be very high on statement pieces such as this. Also, most brands use PVC sequins and they are not biodegradable. If you’d like something new, host a pre-party season swap night with friends, or check out a variety of pre-loved items at Retold (shopretold.com) or Thrift For Good (thriftforgood.org).
FINISHING TOUCHES
Kids and teens alike love the thrill of a little daily treat courtesy of an advent calendar. Buying one that you can reuse significantly reduces waste and you can get a bit more creative, with sweets or handwritten notes and count down consciously.
And when it comes to dining, try to skip the disposables and have fabric napkins, tablecloths and runners that can be washed and reused. Above all, this is really a time for family and connection, so try not to lose the true meaning in the madness and you can’t go wrong.
