The nights are drawing in, the blankets are coming out…Christmas is round the corner

As much as Christmas is magical a magical time of year, for many it can also be daunting and stressful. So the thought of adding an environmental factor on top of the usual planning involved is really the last thing people need.

But you’ll be glad to hear that it actually isn’t all that difficult to have an eco-friendly Christmas. Below are 10 ways to enjoy the festivities with all the magic and love it deserves, without any added stress or worry.

1. Be creative with gift wrapping

Sellotape, glitter and metallic wrapping paper are not best friends with the Earth, but aside from these, it’s pretty easy to wrap presents without harming the planet.

Many supermarkets are selling plastic-free gift wrapping sets, and wrapping that isn’t protected in unnecessary plastic, so if you do need to stock up this is a great place to start.

But you can also be creative, from either creating patchwork gift wrapping from the odds and ends of wrapping paper, or use tissue paper, newspaper, classic brown paper (which is often cheaper), or invest in reusable cloth gift wrapping.

Once you’ve chosen your desired material, keep the present together with string or ribbon, which can be used for years to come.

2. Embrace homemade gifts

In my experience, homemade gifts are often the ones recipients appreciate the most, simply because of the time, effort, and thoughtfulness that has gone into them.

Not everyone has the time to make gifts for everyone, but for the people you spend hours scouring the internet for in search of the perfect present, use that time instead to create something from scratch.

If you’re artistic (or even if you’re not), you might try putting your skills towards making a bookmark, coaster, or beautiful work of art. If you’ve taken up knitting you might make a scarf, hat, or jumper if you’re feeling adventurous. And if you enjoy cooking or baking, you could put together a hamper of the recipient’s favourite items, or ingredients to make their favourite meal.

No matter how big or small, homemade gifts never fail to put a smile on someone’s face, so find the time to give one a go, and add that personal touch that Christmas is all about.

3. Don’t feel like making gifts? Make decorations instead

Christmas decorations are so joyful aren’t they? The lights, the cute characters, the smell of pine, cinnamon and cranberry. But each year stores bring out so many appealing products that, let’s face it, we really don’t need.

But if you do want to get into the Christmas spirit, you can always make your own decorations and embrace your inner child. From paper chains and snowflakes to cloved oranges and biscuit tree ornaments, you can really get creative and have fun making one-of-a-kind decorations that don’t cost the Earth.

4. Shop mindfully

Try and plan what you buy from where in order to save money and time. Before you hit ‘pay now’ online, consider any other items you need to buy or could buy from the same store and add them to your order to save on delivery, and transport pollution.

And when you’re the one out and about, think about vehicle fumes (if you don’t drive an electric or hybrid vehicle) and what you could buy all at once to save multiple trips. Shopping centres are a great way to wander around a range of shops without having to travel to more than one place.

Then think about the product itself. When you come up with an idea, have a quick search to find an eco-friendly version. Chances are you'll find one, as there are so many small businesses creating sustainable products that can make perfect gifts.

If you are out and about, scan the information on the product. Is the packaging recyclable? What are the ingredients or materials? Is it organic, or has it been sustainably manufactured? Buying a product that has been created with the planet in mind means you're not only supporting better practices, but reducing your carbon footprint as well.

5. Send thoughtful Christmas cards

Yes, you could argue the Christmas card is a waste of paper - but there is something incredibly heartwarming about receiving feel good post, and I do think letter-writing is a lost art form that needs saving.

But most are produced with FSC Certified card, meaning the trees have been harvested sustainably. Any with glitter or metallic finishes can be harder to recycle, but you can reuse the front of cards by cutting them off at the end of the holiday season (so long as no one has written on the reverse of course), and save them to make your own Christmas cards next year.

You can also make your own from scratch. All you need is some card and spare envelopes, and make each unique to the recipient.

Who wouldn’t love that?

6. Take care of your Christmas tree

There’s debate around Christmas trees’ eco-credentials. Artificial ones are plastic, but last years, while real ones only last a few weeks, but conserve land.

Whichever tree you choose, it’s disposing of them that can have the biggest impact. Real trees are usually picked up by the local council, with the UK government explaining they are often recycled and turned into chippings.

But if you bought a small potted Christmas tree, you can plant it in your garden, find a local organisation who that put your tree to good use, or add it to your own or local compost heap.

Artificial trees on the other hand cannot currently be recycled according to recyclenow, so if you no longer need or want yours, and want to prevent it from heading to landfill, you could donate it to a local charity if it is in good condition, or pass it on to friends or family who may appreciate it.

7. The all important Christmas feast

It’s safe to say the Christmas dinner is one of the best parts of Christmas, and if you’re looking to make a more environmental effort this year, the answer is to shop local.

By that I don’t mean your local supermarket, but your local butcher, farmer, and green grocers will have what you’re looking for. Yes, it may be more expensive, but it will also (usually) be better quality by being organic, free range, in season and fresh. What’s more is these local businesses need us more than ever, so if you can support just one of your local suppliers you’ll be making the world of difference to not just the planet, but people’s livelihoods too.

When it comes to all the trimmings, you can easily make your own Yorkshire puddings with flour, eggs and milk, and try making your own stuffing too. And don’t forget to make the most of your turkey by using the carcass to make a stock, which is simpler than you think, and can be frozen in batches for future meals.

If you avoid meat altogether you know you’re already doing your bit for the planet, but shopping locally, and even using your own veg if you’ve grown your own this year are great ways to make your Christmas dinner even more special.

And please don’t waste any food. Leftovers can be used to make a whole range of meals or snacks after Christmas Day has been and gone.

7. Have a blast with Christmas crackers

You may have leftover crackers from last year’s Christmas, which means you don’t have to buy any this year. But if you don’t and would like to have a bit of fun at the dinner table, try to avoid any sets that contain plastic, or prizes that you’re unlikely to use (tiny screwdriver set anyone?)

A number of stores are selling ‘fill your own’ crackers, which means you can slip anything you like inside (most do still come with the paper hat and joke), while others are bing more creative with puzzles, musical items, quizzes, games and more.

8. Turn the lights off

We tend to put up a lot of lights at Christmas, and have them on a lot. So to save energy and money, turn them off at night or when you’re not home.

If you do have fairy lights up indoors, you could use them to create some atmospheric lighting by keeping your main lights off, which will also conserve energy, or invest in a timer that you plug your lights into, so you don’t even have to think about flicking the switches.

9. Read the packaging

Any products you receive at Christmas, check what to do with the packaging before you throw it away.

Chances are most are recyclable, but others may be compostable, recyclable with bags or at your local rubbish dump.

It doesn’t take anything to read the packaging, and even though sorting through rubbish can be a laborious task, it is one that we can all do to keep our environment clean.

10. Don’t overthink it

There’s a lot of information here and it can all feel quite daunting. But it’s great to see so many stores, organisations and councils putting measures in place that will make having an eco-friendly Christmas feel no different to any other.

All it takes is some awareness, a little planning, and a bit of creativity, and you'll be sure to have a magical Christmas that hasn't cost the planet.