Christmas without the consumerism means remembering what Christmas is about: the birth of Jesus Christ. It’s about letting go of plastic gifts, and spending time on snowy walks, eating comfort foods and watching old films. Also see how to keep pets safe at Christmas and reusable Christmas crackers.
A Simple Green Christmas
- Calm Christmas is a little book on how to enjoy a calmer Christmas. This delightful guide to a stress-free holiday season is designed to take you from shopping sprees and broken New Year resolutions to mindfulness, self-care and festive cheer. Remember what the season is really all about – walks in the snow, time with family, thoughtful gift-giving and meaningful observations.
- Instead of plastic-wrapped supermarket cards (many fund animal- testing charities), buy from local charities. Or buy recycled cards from Rose & Daff.
- See tree-friendly ways to wrap gifts (tree-free, recycled, fabric gift wrap). Never ‘donate string/ribbon’ to birds’ nests, it can harm (just pop in the compost, or bin if not biodegradable).
- Choose zero-waste gifts (free from pet-toxic silica gel).
- You can rent real trees now, instead of buying them. Check the light (faulty ones are a a major cause of house fires. See how to keep pets at Christmas (pine needles, tinsel, dangerous plants, snow globes).
- Keep This Cracker makes nice plastic-free paper baubles. Likely safer around pets and young children, too.
- Turn off the TV and enjoy music from Putumayo (world music Christmas CDs) or vintage classics from Past Perfect.
- Be kind to turkeys & try a plant-based celebration. Find recipes in Vegan Christmas Feasts (by a Masterchef finalist).
- Reindeers in shopping malls are usually terrified by bright lights and noise. They need special diets and travel long distances (a bit like circus animals). Report events to Freedom for Animals.
- Treat your child to a Moo Free Advent Calendar. Made with rice milk, it tastes just the same (keep chocolate away from pets).