We Wish You a Carbon Free Christmas 

Christmas is a time of year when we celebrate family, friends and community. A time of coming together, of giving and receiving. It’s also a time when we are pushed to over consume, often through panic buying and overindulgence. But Christmas need not be like this. It can be a festival of sharing and treating others, while at the same time being kind to ourselves and the planet. SCCAN Story Weaver Lesley Anne Rose details some of the ways we can create and celebrate a carbon free Christmas. 


Christmas is a magical time of year. However, for many it’s become associated with adverts from High Street chain stores pushing us to rack up our credit cards in their shops and on their online platforms, panic buying, crippling expense, excess and stress. It needn’t be like this. We can step away from the pressures to overconsume and make Christmas special in our own way, while also lowering our stress levels, costs and carbon footprint. 

Here’s a few suggestions to creating a more sustainable Christmas:

Plan ahead 

A high carbon culture is linked with a ‘just in time’ mentality and instant purchase options such as Amazon Prime come with highest carbon footprints. Plan ahead to avoid last minute panic buying. 

Buy what you need

Avoid the temptation to buy things that won’t be used or will get thrown away just because you have to ‘buy something’. Avoid items such as Christmas crackers containing plastic gifts that are immediately thrown away. 

Buy well

Good quality gifts might cost more, but they last longer and can often be passed on e.g. children’s clothes and toys. 

Buy pre loved

Second hand books, items from a charity shop etc. are just as worthwhile as buying brand new. 

It’s a wrap

We can spend a small fortune on Christmas wrapping paper. Why not use newspapers, reused paper from gifts given to you last Christmas or old fabric?  If you do buy wrapping paper avoid anything that is glossy or has glitter on it and make sure it can be recycled. 

Buy energy efficient

If you are buying an electrical item, buy the most energy efficient. 

Shop local 

Support local independent stores as much as you can. A thriving independent High Street contributes towards a thriving community. 

Turn it off

Don’t leave outside Christmas lights on all night. Buy LED lights if you can as they are more energy efficient. 

Christmas Tree

Avoid buying a real tree that’s been grown intensively. Consider options such as living trees in pots that can be re-used or planted after the festive season is over. Avoid sending your tree to landfill after Christmas as there it will produce methane gas as it decomposes. If you can, have the tree chipped and spread it around your garden. 

Make Your Own 

Everyone loves home-made. Why not try making your own gifts, cards (from old Christmas cards rather than buying new each year) and Christmas crackers. 

Christmas Dinner 

Choosing to eat a vegetarian Christmas dinner will bring down your carbon footprint. Avoid dishes that take a long time to cook to keep energy costs down and re-use any left overs the next day. Don’t leave your oven on when you don’t need it. 

At Home 

Christmas is a time when our energy consumption and bills can increase. Consider sharing your Christmas day and dinner with a neighbour, family and friends as a way to keep these costs down or share them. Turning your heating down by 1 degree will make a big difference. Turn off the TV for a while and go for a walk or play a board game. 

Travel 

Avoid flying home for Christmas if you can and see if it’s possible to car share if the costs of public transport are prohibitively high. There are a few simple things you can do to bring down your carbon footprint if you are driving such as ensuring you have a good tread on your tyres and they are fully inflated. Also try and travel at quieter times to avoid standing in queues.  

Recycle 

Recycle as much as you can after Christmas – paper, food waste, etc. Re gift anything you don’t want to a local charity shop.