How to Have a Plastic Free Christmas | Unique Gifter

How to Have a Plastic Free Christmas

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Modern Christmas is a plastic-filled nightmare for most families. Thankfully, it’s also something that is very easy to change. Here are a few tips on how to have a plastic-free Christmas.

How to Have a Plastic-Free Christmas | Christmas | Plastic-Free Decorating | Envirmonment | Christmas Decorating | Christmas Parties | #christmas #environment #decorating #tree #uniquegifter

There’s so much plastic in this world, and every bit of help we do can make it last even longer. Take a peek at these great tips. 

Avoid Glitter and Ribbon

Gift wrapping idea

All glitter and most ribbons are made out of plastic, so avoid these as much as you can. They’re most often found in gift wrapping, but you will also find them in Christmas cards and some Christmas clothes. Instead, use twine, and if you need to have glitter, you can find eco-friendly glitters that aren’t made from plastic online.

Bring Your Reusable Shopping Bags

Using reusable bags for a plastic free christmas

When you go out shopping, be it for Christmas presents, Christmas dinner, or your outfit for the office Christmas party, take your reusable shopping bags with you. This will help you avoid having to get plastic bags to carry everything in. Even if the store you’re going to has paper bags, keep in mind that many of them are made using harmful chemicals, and they aren’t recycled. 

Buy Wine with Corks

Wine botle

When you’re shopping for wine, be sure to get wine that has corks rather than a screw-on lid. Wine with screw-on lids often have hidden plastic inside that you won’t see until you open the bottle. While you’re at it, make sure you buy a metal corkscrew because you never know when you’re going to lose the one you have.

Ditch Wrapping Paper and Packing Peanuts

Unwrapped gift

If you’re mailing presents rather than using packing peanuts or bags of air, opt for a shredded newspaper to fill your box with. You can also use that newspaper to wrap presents or if you prefer you can use regular old brown paper. Cloth is another option for wrapping gifts. Who wouldn’t want to get a candle that has been wrapped in a scarf?

Don’t Buy Artificial Trees

Christmas tree

If you don’t have an artificial tree, then don’t buy one. Many people buy them thinking they’re more environmentally friendly, but the truth is they’re just a bunch of plastic glued together that is cheaply made and starts falling apart quickly. Rather than buying an artificial tree you could buy a live tree and keep it in your yard all year long, you could also rent a tree, or use one of your big houseplants as an unusual alternative.

Get Involved with the Office Christmas Party Planning

Paper lanterns hanging

Just about every office will use single-use cutlery, plates, and cups in their Christmas party. Get involved with your Office Christmas party planning to make sure your office doesn’t do this. Alternatively, you could go to a thrift store to buy as many of those items as you’ll need quite cheaply. Then they can be stored in a closet until the next party. In some places, you can also rent them.

Give Plastic Free Gifts

Christmas card

When you go shopping for Christmas, presents look for plastic-free options. Zero-waste stores are a great place to start. You could also give gift cards or experiences to cut back on plastic. If you’re buying gifts online, see if the retailer offers plastic-free shipping options.

Only Buy Food Without Plastic Packaging

Paper cups

It may take a little bit extra work, but you can do your entire Christmas food shop without buying a single item in plastic. Though you may have to make some things yourself. I’ve never seen egg nog in a container that didn’t have plastic, for example. Shop in health food stores and Trader Joes, then when you’re in a regular store, just keep an eye out for glass and cardboard boxes. When you’re getting meat, get it from the meat counter or go to a butcher.

Use Edible Christmas Decorations or Nature

Popcorn

Instead of buying cheap plastic Christmas decorations look for inspiration in nature. Pine cones, orange slices, and bunches of cinnamon sticks are just a few options you have available to you. Or you can make your own ornaments that are edible like stringing up popcorn or making gingerbread cookies you can hang on your tree.

Wrap Leftovers in Beeswax Wraps

Beeswax food wrap

When dinner is over, and it’s time to put away the leftovers, keep aluminum foil, cling film, and ziplock bags out of the picture with beeswax wraps. You can get these in health food stores or zero waste stores, and they work just as well as plastic. 

Don’t forget some of our other Christmas themed blog posts. 

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