Have yourself a greener little Christmas

10 Lifestyle Have yourself a greener little Christmas

The festive season may be the most wonderful time of the year, but it’s not always so wonderful for the wellbeing of the planet

The festive season is synonymous • • with plenty of food, presents, and all-round over consumption. • • But this takes its toll on the environment. So, how do we ensure that we do our best for climate change this holiday season without giving up the things we love?• •

Every aspect of the party season can become more ethical, with just a slight change. Instead of the traditional turkey, why not have a nut roast? Or, if the family insists on turkey, get it directly from a local farm. If you do go for the supermarket shop, you can do your bit by choosing items marked Fairtrade wherever possible. Since it is the season of giving, the least we can do is contribute to a fair and ethical supply chain.

Christmas trees come in many forms. Plastic reusable trees, that can conveniently be stored may seem like a sustainable choice, but the production process and end-life of these PVC-based trees release harmful gases into the environment.

Many people opt for a cut tree, often embarking on a family outing to the tree farm, and handpicking this year’s centrepiece. These trees can be farmed sustainably, so if they’re bought locally, and recycled at the end of the season, their footprint can be minimal.

The most ethical choice, however, is to choose a living tree – growing in a pot. Bring it inside for the Christmas season, and then come January, just bring it out into the garden to thrive until next year.

One overlooked aspect of the giving season that hugely contributes to waste, is present wrapping. Wrapping paper in itself is often recyclable, so this is an easy switch. Simply avoid glittery or plastic-based wrapping papers and opt for a recyclable tape – perhaps a decorative, paper-based tape which will also add a special touch to your gifts.

When it comes to gift shopping, the perpetuated idea may be that department stores are havens of convenience, with everything you need under one roof. But where’s the festive spirit in that? This should be a time of buying local, knowing where your products come from, and giving back to the community. Often, the ethical gift choice is the more unique and luxurious one.

Making Christmas that little bit more ethical is easily done, and could have a hugely positive eff ect on climate goals. So, why we all may be dreaming of a white one, perhaps it’s time to make a change, and enjoy a greener little Christmas this year.

by Shannon Maher

In the spotlight Food & Drink Wales

With two new additions in the last few months alone, Wales now boasts 18 products accredited with Geographical Indication (GI) status. Visit the Wales Government website to learn more about what makes Welsh food and drink so genuinely iconic. gov.wales/foodanddrinkwales

A more eco-friendly Christmas season

For anyone on the lookout for sustainable, eco-friendly swaps, Welsh brand Tabitha Eve offer vegan and cruelty-free homeware and beauty products

Tabitha Eve off er everything from reusable items for your kitchen through to your skincare routine and everything in between.

Most items are made by hand by the talented team of sewers based in Pontypridd. Sustainability is considered throughout production with designs based on fabric widths to ensure minimal waste, and any imperfect products are off ered at a discount rather than being sent to landfi ll.

With a range covering eco-cleaning, home, beauty, baby and gifting, Tabitha Eve’s products encourage everyone to switch out single-use purchases for reusable alternatives. Products are made with care from natural materials and are proof that eco-friendly can also be beautiful.

If you’re searching for conscious Christmas gift ideas, look no further. Tabitha Eve’s beauty collection has some gorgeous stocking fi llers, such as Reusable Make Up Rounds or Plastic Free Hair Ties. Their range of gift sets and homeware off ers something for everyone.

Alongside reusable giftwrap solutions, they’ve just what you need for a greener festive period.

Start building a more sustainable home today.

Sleep easy with Undercover

Win an Undercover duvet cover set, worth £150!

Enter online at checklists.co.uk/win/undercover

Your bed is a place of sanctuary, the place you escape to, to relax, restore and revive your body and soul. So, it’s only natural you want the softest, lightest bed linen to ensure you enjoy the best sleep possible.

Undercover make contemporary, high-quality bed linen using eco-friendly fabrics that feel beautiful on the skin. The products are ethically made in the Portuguese town of Guimarães, a region known globally for its expertise in home textiles. Undercover go out of their way to source and test the very best fabrics and have partnered with a familyowned mill that’s been crafting high-quality bed linen for more than 70 years.

Undercover off er two fabrics – TENCEL™ and 100% Organic Cotton. Both are lightweight and long lasting with a high thread count, crisp feel, and matte fi nish. TENCEL™ is an eco-friendly, luxurious, and silky-soft yarn made from sustainably-sourced plant fi bres. The 100% Organic Cotton fabric is Global Organic Textile Standard certifi ed and off ers the familiar lightweight texture of cotton with a relaxed, crinkly look and feel.

The prize includes a double or king size duvet cover plus two pillowcases in a style of your choice, subject to availability.