It is never too early to say the Christmas word, especially when the last few years have been so difficult for so many. Christmas can bring a lot of comforts and hope to people, and celebrating it in a personal and excellent way can make a big difference to morale.
But, Christmas also comes with a lot of worries too. Spending extra cash on gifts, the uneaten food that gets thrown away two weeks after, and of course, the miles of wrapping paper.
When you choose to go low-waste, you also make a commitment to your bank account to feel healthy over the festive period. Because the less we buy, the less we spend
And to relieve any guilt, living low waste and sustainability are all about the effort – no one is perfect, every little thing helps.
The Tree
The Christmas tree is often the most significant part of the puzzle, and that can mean a lot of cash spent on a real fresh tree.
There is something that artificial trees offer that is hard to create on a real tree; snowy Xmas trees are super cute and offer even more Christmassy vibes.
An artificial tree can be reused for years, depending on the style and quality. If you choose to have a real Christmas tree, opt to pick up an FSC certified sustainable tree.
Shop Local
There has been a significant shift in the need for designer items with labels and a high price tag – but that doesn’t mean it’s not delightful to get them.
But there is something even better than splurging on high-ticket items, and that is shopping locally.
When you shop locally, you put money into the local economy – which is a great thing in itself, but it is often local stores that are family-owned or independent.
Due to their smaller nature, they often don’t have too much packaging on the items and are packed with unique offerings.
Shopping locally is also one of the best ways to get handmade products – without making them yourself if you’re not great at that type of thing.
Food Waste
One of the most significant areas during the festival period is food waste. There are so many delicious options that it can be challenging to choose.
And so, many times people don’t choose – they buy it all. This leads to excess food that doesn’t get finished, lots of extra packaging in the bin and a lot of waste.
Instead of heading to the supermarket, source free-range meats and vegetables from the greengrocers or an independent fruit and veg seller. Often the fruit and veg will be free of packaging and help to reduce the load.
Christmas can feel like a hectic, hyper-consuming time of the year, and it’s hard not to feel like what’s in the fridge and under the tree directly relates to how good your Christmas is. After the last few years, the most important thing is the people you have around you… and perhaps hot cocoa too.
Get a head start on the Christmas Cash with this post: Simple ways to boost your spending money this Christmas.