Wheeewwww, Christmas certainly is coming like a freight train, and I probably should’ve written this blog post a lot earlier, but here we are.

Everyone seems to go a bit nuts at Christmas – packing in as many social dates as possible as if we have to see everyone before the end of the year, over-buying gifts and food as if it’s the end of the world, generally running about like a headless chicken – myself included.

It’s mid-November as I’m writing this, and I’m starting to feel the overwhelm already, despite having very few festive events in my calendar so far (although, maybe not having things planned out is making it worse).

Capitalism tells us that we need to do-do-do and buy-buy-buy, but it really doesn’t need to be this way. I don’t like the over-consumption and over-socialising of it all, so over the last few years, I’ve been trying to curate a smaller, very chill Christmas.

Before we get into it, I know that not everyone is able to make these changes, they’re just suggestions based on small things I have gradually tried to change over the years. So here are the ways that I’ve been trying to have a more sustainable Christmas, while still creating fun memories, holding onto nostalgic traditions, and making everything feel special.

1. Limit the number of people you buy Christmas gifts for

The older I get, the fewer gifts I want to receive. I’m more specific about the things I like, and I don’t want more stuff cluttering up the house – am I turning into my dad?

A couple of thoughtful gifts from people who really know me is more than enough, and I’d like to think the people in my life feel the same. I’d honestly rather get a heartfelt message in a card, or some yummy food or drink to consume over the holiday.

For the last few Christmases, I’ve only bought for my partner, my parents, my nieces, and any Secret Santas I might be involved in.

“Yeah, but you don’t have kids, it’s different!” I hear you cry. Ok, but how many Christmas gifts do you remember from your childhood? I would guess maybe 3, if that. Maybe I’m a weird little guy, but the Christmas present I remember looking forward to the most as a kid was a new pencil with a rubber on the top.

Over-consumption is so normalised now, but that doesn’t mean you have to go along with it. Save your hard-earned money, pals.

2. Buy Christmas gifts second hand or from local indie makers, or make Christmas gifts yourself

I will die on this hill: you can buy pretty much everything you need for Christmas (and all year ’round) second hand. There is already enough stuff in the world to last us for a LONG time.

However, something special made by a local indie is also very nice to have – we all want art on our walls, nice pots for our plants, and well-made clothing, don’t we?

I try to source those few Christmas gifts as thoughtfully as possible, and luckily we have a whopping 19 Christmas markets in Bristol this year to buy gifts from indie makers, and more charity shops than I can count for buying second-hand, sustainable Christmas gifts.

I know not everyone lives in a place with all that to hand, but many indies sell online, and there are online selling platforms like Vinted and eBay for second-hand bits.

3. The most sustainable Christmas outfit is one you already own

Capitalism has us believing that we need new outfits for every occasion, and that being seen in the same outfit more than once just isn’t cool. I think it’s actually deeply uncool to adhere to that throwaway mentality, and don’t even get me started on sequins…

This time of year, charity shops are bursting at the seams with Christmas jumpers, sparkly dresses, and  Santa costumes – many of them only worn once, so practically brand new. Vinted and other reselling platforms have loads too. And you can find some really cool ones in vintage shops.

I have a couple of vintage Christmas jumpers that I bought about 7 years ago from Something Elsie – getting them out of storage every year feels like seeing a cosy old friend. I love that I know I won’t see anyone wearing the same one, and if I do, it’ll actually make my year.

So wear what you have, or if you really need something, buy it second-hand – I promise it’s easy!

4. Reuse the same Christmas decorations every year

In the same way that I love getting my beloved Christmas jumpers out every year, getting the same Christmas decorations out every year fills me with nostalgic joy too.

I used to love this as a kid as well. For a while we did have a tradition where we’d buy one new Christmas decoration a year, but we already had so many baubles and things that we didn’t need to do that for long.

I still love going to my mum’s and rifling through all the Christmas decorations she’s kept – she even has the coloured fairy lights that remind me so much of being a little kid in the 90s.

Though the Christmas decorations I have in my own home aren’t quite as nostalgic as those 90s ones, they are special because I bought them myself, and it brings me so much joy to decorate my home with them.

You don’t need to have a different colour or theme for your Christmas decorations each year. If you collect pieces that you really love over the years, they’ll always feel special.

5. And use the same Christmas tree every year too

This is one I’ve been trying to do, and somewhat failing at…

I really love a real Christmas tree – we always had one growing up, and nothing beats trying to find the most perfect one, and the pine scent when you get it in the house.

I had a Christmas tree in a pot for a few years, and then… it died. I bought another one in a pot last year and… it died. I think I need to look up how to properly care for a Christmas tree.

Anyway, this year, instead of spending more money on another Christmas tree that I will inevitably kill, I might just decorate my biggest monstera as though he’s a Christmas tree.

And if you already have an artificial Christmas tree in the attic, great! Keep using that. You would need to use it for at least 10 years for it to have a lower carbon impact than a real Christmas tree.

6. Limit social occasions and plan in some “nothing time” over the Christmas holidays

This can be a tricky one – I know because I always go overboard and then have a meltdown, and/or make myself really poorly. Last year I was away from home every weekend in December, and although I was doing lovely things for all of those weekends, it was a bit much.

Our Christmas plans with family always involve at least one night away, but that’s only 2 trips. And our annual friends holiday is actually during a week this year, so that’s another weekend saved (see what we got up to on the Dorset coast last Christmas).

Travelling less this year will obviously also limit my carbon emissions, making it a slightly more sustainable Christmas.

I know this isn’t always possible for those who have children, big extended families, etc., and some people truly love doing alllll the things. But just remember – you don’t actually have to if you don’t want to.

“Nothing time” is something I try to plan into every week of my life, but it’s especially important over busy periods like Christmas. I need days of downtime to function properly, and when it’s busy, I have to schedule them into my calendar with an all-day event titled “DO NOTHING TODAY”.

Again, I know that’s not possible for everyone, especially if you have responsibilities and people to take care of, but if you can wangle even one day where someone else has the kids and you can veg-out in silence, take it. Actually, that might be a nice sustainable Christmas gift for a parent!

7. Buy local produce for Christmas dinner, don’t over-buy and consider veggie

Food. Feasting. Raising a glass together. Truly some of the best bits of Christmas.

When I was little, we used to get our Christmas meats from the local butchers, cheeses from the local cheese shop, veg from the greengrocers, etc. Going to each individual shop with other bundled-up people buying their Christmas treats felt really special, and sort of like a treasure hunt.

It’s really sad that many local high streets have lost those useful little local shops, but if you still have them, make use of them. It’s so much nicer giving your money to a small business who buys from other local businesses, rather than a supermarket that flies things in from all over the world.

This isn’t possible for everyone, both because the shops don’t exist or because of time, so if you’re supermarket shopping (which I also will be for some things) – try not to over-buy! It’s so tricky when you’re presented with so much exciting, delicious food, but we also don’t want too much food waste do we babes.

Planning in meals to use up leftovers – eg. the classic Christmas leftovers curry, a Boxing Day buffet – really helps to limit food waste, making it a more sustainable Christmas and you won’t be wasting money on food you’re not eating too 🙂

That’s everything I can think of right now, and as you can see, the easiest way to have a sustainable Christmas is to use whatever you already have, and then buy the bits you need thoughtfully.

Whatever you are doing this holiday period, I hope you are safe, happy, and have everything you need.

If you are struggling to afford food, you can find a food bank on the Trussell Trust website, and if you’re struggling mentally, Samaritans are available for support online or call them for free on 116123.

Lots of love 💖