How to Be More Eco-Conscious This Christmas: Simple Swaps for a Greener Festive Season

Isn’t the festive season just fabulous? A time filled with all the warm fuzzies—joy, generosity and togetherness. But it can also be a season of excess. From mountains of wrapping paper to unwanted gifts and single-use plastics, the environmental footprint of Christmas is surprisingly high.

The good news? With a few thoughtful choices, you can celebrate just as joyfully while treading a little lighter on the planet.

Here are some simple, realistic ways to make your Christmas more eco-friendly this year.

1. Choose Sustainable Gifts

Go for quality, not quantity.

Instead of buying lots of small, disposable items, choose gifts that will last or be genuinely loved. Christmas is the perfect opportunity to support thoughtful gifting—not just more “stuff”.

Ideas include:

• Experiences (cinema vouchers, spa visits, creative workshops, days out)
• Consumables (locally made chocolates, candles, soaps, preserves)
• Handmade or small-business products
• Gifts made from recycled, natural or sustainably sourced materials
• The gift of your time—babysitting hours, a home-cooked meal, or a slow winter walk together

Sustainable gifting also means thinking about the legacy of the gift. Will it last? Is it meaningful? Is it made from materials that respect the planet? Choosing well-made, eco-friendly and circular products makes a bigger difference than you might think.

2. Wrap Without the Waste

Every year, tonnes of glittery or foil-coated wrapping paper end up in landfill. Luckily, beautiful alternatives exist that still feel festive.

Try:

• Brown kraft paper with twine
• Old maps, newspapers or children’s drawings
• Fabric wraps (Furoshiki-style)
• Reusable gift bags

Tip: If the paper contains foil or glitter, it usually can’t be recycled.

3. Make Thoughtful Choices About Your Tree

Real trees:

• Choose a locally grown, sustainably farmed one
• Look for FSC certification
• Recycle it through your council’s tree-recycling scheme
• Or try a potted living tree you bring inside every year (this is what we do in the Growimals house!)

Artificial trees:

• If you already own one—keep using it
• If buying new, choose a high-quality one to reuse for many years

Both can be good options depending on how you use and dispose of them; the key is longevity and thoughtful choices.

4. Avoid Plastic Excess — Especially “Single-Use” Toys and Gifts

Christmas can be surprisingly plastic-heavy. From toy packaging to novelty gifts that break by Boxing Day, a huge amount of what’s purchased is effectively single-use.

This year, try taking a moment to consider:

• What materials is this product made from?
• How long will it last?
• Where will it end up once it’s no longer needed?
• What kind of legacy will it leave?

Many mass-market toys are made from mixed plastics that can’t be recycled, and often end up in landfill almost immediately.

That’s why choosing circular products is such a powerful swap. GrowTubs and Mini GrowTubs are designed to be completely circular, meaning:

• No plastic
• No waste
• Everything you don’t keep is compostable or recyclable
• Their legacy is positive—beneficial plants, hands-on learning, joyful moments and a deeper love of nature

A gift that grows is the opposite of single-use: it keeps giving long after Christmas.

5. Reduce Energy Use with Smarter Lighting

Fairy lights are magical, but traditional bulbs aren’t very kind to the planet.

Switch to:

• LED lights
• Timers so lights aren’t running all day
• Solar-powered outdoor lights

Small changes, big impact.

6. Plan a Low-Waste Christmas Dinner

Food waste skyrockets at Christmas, but a little planning can make a huge difference.

• Plan your portions realistically
• Buy locally sourced, seasonal produce
• Get creative with leftovers (turkey pie, bubble & squeak, festive soups)
• Avoid single-use plastic packaging where possible
• Opt for loose vegetables so you can choose exactly what you need

7. Shop Locally and Support Small Businesses

When you buy from local makers, markets or small online shops, you:

• Reduce shipping miles
• Support your local economy
• Find more unique, meaningful gifts

It’s a win-win—and while you’re browsing, wink wink, Growimals makes a lovely eco-friendly stocking filler or children’s gift.

8. Decorate More Sustainably

Instead of buying new plastic decorations every year, try:

• Homemade garlands
• Dried orange slices and cinnamon sticks
• Reusing decorations you already own
• Charity shop or thrifted finds

Eco-friendly can be beautiful—and it often keeps the kids joyfully busy too.

A Greener Christmas Feels Good

Being eco-conscious at Christmas doesn’t need to be a big lifestyle shift—it can simply start with a few questions. What kind of Christmas do you want to wake up to? One filled with plastic bits and bobs, or one full of natural beauty, creativity and things that feel genuinely special? What swaps could make your celebrations feel calmer, simpler or more meaningful?

Often, the greener choices turn out to be the prettier ones too—natural textures, simple decorations and gifts that grow or last. That’s one of the reasons we created Growimals GrowTubs and Mini GrowTubs: plastic-free, fully circular gifts that bring a little nature, learning and joy into the home long after Christmas Day has passed.

Here’s to a Christmas shaped by the choices that matter to you—joyful, thoughtful and beautifully green.