![\""Overwhelmed\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/23\/2019\/12\/GettyImages-1069442000-98b8f52.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413"\" "\\"\"Tired\\"")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>If so, you are not alone. According to a survey by waste management company Biffa<\/a>, 68.4% of respondents said that they would consider having a \u2018greener Christmas\u2019 by buying items which use less packaging or are made from recycled materials.<\/p>\n 87% also said that they thought retailers should take more producer responsibility for the amount of waste they are generating.<\/p>\n Have a read through our pointers on how you can make every aspect of Christmas \u2018greener\u2019, from the tree to the turkey, without compromising on fun and cheer.<\/p>\n <\/p><\/div> <\/section> Much of the cheap and sparkly decorations on offer in shops at this time of year are made from flimsy and un-environmentally friendly materials, meaning that they won\u2019t last long and will need to be replaced year on year. Bad for the planet and the pocket!<\/p>\n There are however natural alternatives that are just as budget friendly. For example, instead of tinsel, which contains plastics that can\u2019t be recycled, you could instead decorate your mantle pieces and bannisters with natural materials such as holly<\/a>, ivy, and pine cones<\/strong>.<\/p>\n <\/p><\/div> <\/section> Or why not make some edible Christmas decorations<\/strong>! Hanging biscuits, gingerbread, and sweets can make a tasty alternative to baubles, as well as being a fun and festive family activity.<\/p>\n <\/p><\/div> <\/section> For your front door, why not make you own plastic-free wreath<\/strong>. You can even make it wildlife friendly.<\/p>\n Follow this guide from BBC Gardener\u2019s World Magazine<\/em><\/a> to make a wreath that your garden birds will love, or this guide from BBC Countryfile Magazine<\/em><\/a> for a fully compostable wreath.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re opting for a real Christmas tree, Your Homestyle<\/a> has some great advice on choosing and looking after it. They\u2019ve even got Christmas tree decorating<\/a> tips!<\/p>\n When it comes to lights, there\u2019s a very easy way to be greener. Simply switching to LED Christmas lights<\/strong> will use 75% less energy than non-LED alternatives, and will last 25 times longer.<\/p>\n You might however want to reconsider outside decorative lights, as these sudden illuminations can cause stress and confusion for wildlife. One of the best ways to make your Christmas more sustainable is to re-think the way you give gifts. Giving to loved ones brings great joy that we would not want to lose, but there are ways to capture this feeling without it costing the earth. We\u2019ve got LOTS of amazing gift ideas for nature lovers<\/a> if you\u2019re looking for ideas.<\/p>\n We are inundated with attractive offers and promotions at this time of year, but this can lead us to giving and receiving gifts that are superfluous and often end up languishing unwanted in cupboards.<\/p>\n One of the most sustainable changes we can make over Christmas it to avoid this urge to give as many material gifts as possible, and make sure instead to make every gift count<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Think in terms of quality rather than quantity<\/strong> and ask yourself \u201cwill the recipient get both joy and use out of this gift for years to come?\u201d.<\/p>\n Consider supporting a wildlife charity<\/strong> when you buy a gift. If you don\u2019t have a shop near you, many wildlife charities have online shops.<\/p>\n And of course, you could always consider giving a magazine subscription<\/strong> as a gift! Check out BBC Wildlife<\/em>\u2018s subscription offers<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 it\u2019s printed on FSC certified paper, and subscription copies are delivered in a paper wrapping! There\u2019s also the option of a digital subscription<\/a>.<\/p>\n You could perhaps forgo materialism all together and give an experience as a gift<\/strong> \u2013 tickets to a show, a course or activity, or a charity membership for example. Research suggests that experiences provide more lasting happiness than objects after all.<\/p>\n Donations to a favourite charity, perhaps a wildlife charity<\/strong> for your nature loving friends and family, can also make a very touching and thoughtful gift that actively helps rather than harms.<\/p>\n You could even go down the second-hand gift<\/strong> route. You can find some beautiful things in charity, antique, and vintage shops and this removes the environmental cost of manufacturing a new item, as well as giving an old object new life. If you are feeling crafty you could also give up-cycling a go, to make your second-hand gift more personalised.<\/p>\n And, if you are feeling really crafty you can give home-made presents<\/strong>. Making or baking something beautiful or delicious for your loved ones is sure to impress them, as well as having a low impact on the environment.<\/p>\n <\/p><\/div> Perhaps you could try your hand at making some foraging recipes<\/a>, such as blackberry vodka<\/a> or\u00a0sloe port<\/a>?<\/p>\nEco-friendly Christmas decorations<\/h3>\n<\/div>
Ideas for festive decorations:<\/h4>\n
![\""Use\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/23\/2019\/12\/GettyImages-80616014-1868cca.jpg?quality=90&resize=275%2C413"\" "\\"\"Candle\\"")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>Edible Christmas decorations, from BBC Good Food Magazine<\/em><\/a>:<\/h4>\n
![\""Make\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/23\/2019\/12\/GettyImages-1177461960-8515233.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413"\" "\\"\"Hands\\"")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>Sustainable and eco-friendly Christmas gifts<\/h3>\n<\/div>
![\""Avoid\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/23\/2019\/12\/GettyImages-1033820944-cb9e952.jpg?quality=90&resize=560%2C413"\" "\\"\"Christmas\\"")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>![\""Experiences\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/23\/2019\/12\/GettyImages-894870474-3e51cc7.jpg?quality=90&resize=619%2C413"\" "\\"\"Two\\"")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>![\""There\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/23\/2019\/12\/GettyImages-842299108-d6187fd.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413"\" "\\"\"Small\\"")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>Homemade wildlife friendly-gifts for nature lovers:<\/h4>\n
![\""Add\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/23\/2014\/07\/K.Bradbury_Bee_Hotel_a4-086323d.jpg?quality=45&resize=556,556"\" "\\"\"Add\\"\/")
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