As the festive season rolls around, the time for celebrations, decadent dinner spreads and endless hours of gift wrapping is fast approaching, and we couldn’t be more excited! As we all start our silly season prep, it’s important to remember the environmental impact our Christmas celebrations can have, and how we can reduce them. A conscious Christmas is well within reach for every Australian household with some small swaps and achievable tweaks to our routines. In a time where over consumption and waste can skyrocket, we’re loving the eco-friendly trends that are emerging this year for a sustainable Christmas. As such, we’ve compiled our top five trends to try this festive season. These simple and affordable trends are perfect for everyone looking to reduce their environmental footprint this Christmas!
1. Choose sustainable tree decorations
When it comes to decking out your tree this year, we’re encouraging everyone to think outside the box. Instead of reaching for that oh-so-familiar collection of plastic baubles, opt for a more natural option with decorations made from wood, ceramic, paper or glass. They look beautiful and will last a lifetime! Dried fruits and Australian native flowers or ferns are also a beautiful way to adorn your tree and make for a fabulous DIY activity for the family to do together. Plus, those Christmassy scents will be filling up the house for weeks!
Big W Christmas Sorbet Australian Animals Decoration $2, Big W Christmas Star Letter Decoration $2, Kmart Homespun Hanging Decoration $2, Kmart Oversized Wooden Tree Decoration $2, Target 4 Pack Paper Calabash Christmas Decoration $16, Target Campaign Image.
2. Try fabric or reusable wrapping paper
When it comes to decking out your tree this year, we’re encouraging everyone to think outside the box. Instead of reaching for that oh-so-familiar collection of plastic baubles, opt for a more natural option with decorations made from wood, ceramic, paper or glass. They look beautiful and will last a lifetime! Dried fruits and Australian native flowers or ferns are also a beautiful way to adorn your tree and make for a fabulous DIY activity for the family to do together. Plus, those Christmassy scents will be filling up the house for weeks!
Big W Christmas Sorbet Bows 2 Pack $2, Cotton On Foundation Adults Fabric Gift Wrap Set $9.99, Kmart 3 Pack Bushland Christmas Tea Towel $5, Kmart 3m Christmas Craft Gold Fleck Ribbon $3, Kmart Large Reusable Gift Bag $4, Target Christmas Bottle Bag $5, Target Medium Festive Christmas Sack $7.
When looking for your gift wrapping this year, keep an eye out for recyclable paper to ensure your perfectly wrapped presents aren’t adding to your environmental footprint. Make sure you use fabric ribbons instead of plastic and you could even include some beautiful Christmas foliage like pine or holly as additional decoration. Fabric is also a great alternative for wrapping paper. It can be used over and over again either to wrap up something else or around the house. Our Stockland retailers have a range of gorgeous Christmas fabric packs and reusable bags that are perfect for wrapping up your meaningful gift. Alternatively, pick up some beautiful Christmas tea towels to wrap up for your presents with. Eco-friendly and thoughtful, they not only double as lovely wrapping but are also a handy and inexpensive gift as well!
3. Opt for plastic free bons bons
This year we’re loving the non-toxic, paper alternatives that are trending. This trend is evident with the range of recyclable paper bonbons that are hitting the shelves this year.
These are a fabulous eco-friendly alternative as you can choose to recycle or simply reuse them for next year! You can even find DIY bonbon kits where you can fill them with meaningful gifts or sweet treats that won’t just wind up in the bin. Why not get the kids to draw on their Christmas design onto the bonbons for a crafty pastime in the lead up to Christmas day lunch?
4. DIY reusable advent calendars
Advent calendars are a special part of the Christmas celebrations that get us all excited as we count down to the big day. This year, DIY advent calendars are trending as we move away from single use versions, to more waste-conscious options that can be reused for years to come. There are countless designs and styles out there for a DIY advent calendar – we’re loving the rustic feel from this brown paper bag option! Plus, by choosing the goodies that go into each day, you get to make them personal and exciting to the receiver.
Big W Christmas Felt Advent Calendar $12, Kmart Light Up Christmas Scene Advent Calendar $20, Target Advent Christmas Calendar $29
Swap in solar-powered Christmas lights.
You can let your creativity soar as you put together a special surprise for each day of December. However, if DIY is not your thing, you can invest in a beautiful wooden advent calendar that can be reused year after year.
5. Swap in solar-powered Christmas lights
Big W Mirabella Christmas Solar Powered Santa Garden Stakes 5 Pack $20, Kmart Solar Glitter Reindeer with Sleigh $25, Kmart Solar Powered 200 LED Blue Icicle Light Pack $14, Target 50 LED Coloured Ball Solar Light Pack $12.
When it comes to your outdoor lights this season, reducing your emissions comes easy with solar-powered lights! Using the energy from the sun during the day, your lights will be all charged up and ready to illuminate your house all night. Not only are solar-powered lights better for the environment, they also last longer than traditional fluorescent or incandescent lights. Not to mention your energy bill will thank you for this swap as solar lights use up less electricity, making for less money spent. With Christmas being an expensive time as it is, this is the perfect sustainable swap to make for both your wallet and the environment.
Loved these trends? Then check out this DIY natural Christmas wreath tutorial!
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