Back to a greener CELEBRATION

Rediscover a less wasteful Christmas as it used to be, and help save both money and the environment

- RAE RITCHIE

Modern-day Christmases can be costly for our planet as well as our purses – a typical adult spends £600 on presents at Christmas these days, along with around £220 more than usual on food.

All these extra activities and purchases have an environmental cost too. The carbon footprint of Christmas is, on average, 280kg per UK adult, but it can be as high as 1,500kg. By way of a comparison, a return train journey from London to Glasgow equates to 64kg.

The good news is that you can lower these figures without losing your festive cheer, by rediscovering how Christmas used to be. Follow the tips featured here and you’ll be as green as The Grinch – but without facing any accusations of stealing Christmas!

Greener gifts

With 20% of Christmas presents going totally unwanted, the first step to greener gifting is buying what the recipient will truly want and use.

Is second-hand an option?

Charity shops, eBay and even local freecycle groups can be a great source for everything from jigsaws to computer games.

✣ Regift if you’ve been given something you don’t want.

If you have items with meaning you’d like someone special to have, gift them. It could be as simple – and as heartfelt – as your mother’s thimble.

Is an eco-version available?