5 Ways To Have A ‘Greener’ Festive Season

Five Ways For You To Be More Eco-Friendly This Festive Season

‘Tis the season to be jolly! Unfortunately, it’s also the season for a lot of waste – I’m looking at you crackers! Today’s post is just sharing a few ideas on how you can have a greener festive season and be more eco-friendly when you’re throwing those festive parties and celebrating with friends.

1. Wrapping  Your Presents 

I won’t lie to you, Christmas wrapping paper is so cute! Looking all sparkly and festive! But unfortunately, foil or glitter-decorated paper can’t be recycled. So this means, a lot of wrapping paper is tossed into general waste. So what can you do? If you’re like me, I reuse a lot of gift bags which if looked after properly can make their way a few times before they need to be thrown away.

The easiest way to create less waste with your wrapping is to either reuse old newspapers or to use brown paper. Another super cute idea is to wrap it in a tea towel that can form part of the gift for your loved ones. The other day I wrapped a gift in newspaper and reused a ribbon, and added some lavender just to add an extra touch of detail to it.

2. Choose Glass

When thinking of what drinks to serve up at your parties, keep in mind that glass is 100% recyclable!

My mom has been collecting some of these Protea bottles from Anthonij Rupert Wyne. There are 8 different designs and look so pretty when reused as decor. Add a beautiful rose to it or even a candle and it can be used as a small gift.

Encourage your guests to recycle their glass bottles by having a designated area to place them. Also, ask to borrow glasses from friends if you don’t have enough instead of buying plastic cups that will just end up being thrown away.

3. Fresh Is Best

I’m talking about the decor. People underestimate how beautiful flowers can add such a pretty, yet simple touch to any event. Even using fresh fruit near your drinks station is a great idea, plus it adds detail to your guests’ drinks which always looks great.

Add some small pinecones that you’ve maybe picked up near where you live to the table to add a Christmas element. You can use straw twine to wrap napkins and add a sprig of rosemary.

4. Use What You’ve Got

I’m sure you are like me where you have a box filled with Christmas decorations. As tempting as it is to buy new decorations every year, a great way to have a greener festive season is to upcycle some of your old ornaments.

A cute way my friends used their ornaments for decor is to hang them with fishing line. If you are looking to change up your tree a bit, look for local companies with designs made from brass, glass, and wood.

5. Give The Gift Of Experience

As fun as it is to receive gifts, at one stage it just gets too much. Where do you put everything? This year for my birthday, my friends gifted me an experience.

We went to a cooking class and had the best time, plus now I can say I know how to make Grilled Cauliflower steaks with salsa! For a girl’s Christmas lunch, we decorated gingerbread houses that were so cute.

Some other great experiences you could gift someone is a spa voucher (who doesn’t love a massage); cooking classes; yoga lessons; painting sessions etc.

Looking for some more simple tips on creating less waste? You can pop over to this post . Photos were taken at Mozzafiato by Serengti Estate and you can read more about it here in my post.