It's that time of year again! The time when we all get a little more jolly, spend time with loved ones, and give (and receive) gifts. It's also a time when our impact on the environment tends to be a little higher. Here are some easy swaps you can make to have a low impact holiday season while still enjoying all the fun.

Easy swaps for a low impact holiday

If you're looking to have a low impact Christmas this year, there are plenty of easy ways to make your celebrations more sustainable. Here are a few of our favourite tips:

Give experiences, not things

Instead of buying your loved ones material gifts that will just end up in the landfill, why not give them an experience they'll never forget? Tickets to a show, a day at the spa, or even just a nice dinner out can be much more meaningful (and eco-friendly!) than yet another trinket.

Shop second-hand

One person's trash is another's treasure, so why not do your Christmas shopping at Charity shops or online second-hand markets? You'll find unique gifts for everyone on your list, and you'll be keeping perfectly good stuff out of the landfill. Win-win!

Make your own decorations  

Shop bought decorations are often made from unsustainable materials and aren't built to last. This year, get crafty and make your own decorations using things you already have around the house. Not only will they be more unique, but you'll also be able to reuse them for years to come.

Bring your own reusable bags when gift shopping

Single-use shopping bags are one of the biggest sources of Christmas waste. This year, make a commitment to bring your own reusable bags (or even just use paper gift bags that can be recycled) whenever you do your holiday shopping.

Skip the wrapping paper

Traditional wrapping paper is often made from virgin paper (aka trees), and it can't be recycled if it's covered in glitter or has any other non-paper embellishments. This year, ditch the wrapping paper in favour of more eco-friendly options like fabric gift wraps or even just using old newspapers or magazines.

Compost - make sure to compost all your food scraps and organic material

It's important to be mindful of our impact on the environment this festive season. One easy way to do this is to compost all your food scraps and organic material. Composting is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint and help the environment.

Not sure how to compost? No problem! Here are some easy tips to get you started:

  • Collect your food scraps in a compostable bag or caddy.
  • Add some shredded newspaper or leaves to help aerate the compost.
  • Turn the compost regularly to help it break down evenly.
  • Use the compost in your garden or on your potted plants.
  • Composting is a simple and easy way to reduce your impact on the environment. So, this holiday season, make a commitment to compost all your food waste and organic material. Your planet will thank you for it!

While it’s important to keep the environment in mind, the most important thing is to enjoy the festive season - take some time to slow down and appreciate the people and things around you, spend quality time with loved ones and make memories that will last a lifetime.