How to Have a More Sustainable Christmas

Guest blog from influencer, Hannah Elliman | Instagram: @hannahxelliman

December is my absolute favourite time of year. There are the parties, there’s an excuse to eat a piece of Dairy Milk from the advent calendar before 8am, followed by an abundance of mince pies washed down with mulled wine throughout the day. However, it also feels as though December brings a little pressure. When shopping throughout the year I try to ensure my purchases, whether that’s clothes for me or presents for others, are considered. I only want to shop consciously to avoid waste. Here are a few tips to continue shopping/living that little bit more consciously throughout the festive season.

1. Shop Charity Shop for Christmas Party Outfit

I’ve found some of my absolute favourite party items in charity shops. My favourites include a Kenzo dress from Oxfam I wore to the launch of Love not Landfill’s pop-up shop last year and a 70’s navy, maxi dress I’ve worn to a number of weddings.

Just yesterday I wondered round a couple of charity shops and found a good number of items I would excitedly wear to a Christmas Party. There was a sequin ankle length dress so well made it looked super expensive (it was £10), there was a pair of gold trousers which would look bloomin’ amazing with a double-breasted black blazer (of which there are many in the Men’s section of charity shops) and there was House of Holland dress too nice to be kept for festive occasions, it would have to be worn all year round.  

2. Dig Out Last Year’s Christmas Jumper

Word on the street is that there are already 65 million Christmas jumpers stashed away in wardrobes around the UK, yet 12 million new jumpers will be purchased this year.

Global movement Fashion Revolution believe that the most sustainable clothing items we own are the ones already in our wardrobe, so this time of year is the perfect time to dig out last year’s jumper. If fancy a change you could swap your Christmas jumper with a friend, a partner, a colleague, a family member, the neighbour, the postman…anyone who has one of the 65 million Christmas jumpers already hidden and unloved in their wardrobe.

3. Pick up Gifts in Second-Hand Shops

Often over the year I wander around the second-hand shops and see all sorts that I think friends and family will love that you wouldn’t find anywhere else – and usually for a fraction of the price. Charity shops are full of one-of-a-kind clothes, beautiful homeware pieces which would be hard to find on the high-street and books which would make perfect stocking fillers. A few of my favourite charity shop gifts have included bags and vintage magazines. Head to an area with a number of charity shops close together and you’ll be sure to find a plethora of amazing presents.

4. Do Secret Santa

Back in the day my friends and I would get everyone gifts from everyone and would end up of a table full of things and with our bank balances feeling a little empty. We now do Secret Santa, investing a little more buying one person something we’ll know they’ll love and use time and time again. (Ed: pssssst…check out our #GoodCauseSantaClaus campaign!)

5. Get Crafty!

If you’re a last minute kind of gal like me then baking is a great one. It’s personable, people generally love a baked good (if they’re anything like me) and you can make them the day before the gift exchange in the comfort of your own home watching the Vicar of Dibley on Gold whilst drinking mulled wine rather than heading to town, overheating in the overcrowded stores and fighting with a mannequin.

Other crafty gifts I’ve received and absolutely loved in the past include an upcycled denim jacket, a knitted cushion cover (this one takes a little more practice and more patience to make!) and a painted plant pot with the most beautiful of plants. Painting pots, mirrors and frames not only look great but are also therapeutic to complete which is perfect when everything else in December can be so hectic.

And that’s it. Just a few little ways to have a more conscious Christmas whilst not missing out on any of the fun.