Posted on: 29 November, 2024
Christmas is inextricably intertwined with ancient, nature-rooted customs, traditions, and festivities that celebrate nature’s rhythms.
People throughout the ages have long celebrated this time of year by decorating evergreen trees and their homes with natural representations of life and light, giving gifts, and gathering their communities to feast and share by warming fires.
Whether you’re celebrating Christmas or simply revelling in the winter festive season – the ancient connection between this time of year and the wonder of nature is something we’re promoting!
So, if you’re dreaming of a green, nature-inspired, Christmas, check out our top tips for how you can decorate, gift, gather, and reconnect with nature without leaving much trace in the snow.
Did you know that the materials, production processes, and shipping that go into making artificial, plastic Christmas trees result in a carbon footprint more than 10 times that of real trees (if disposed responsibly)? So, if you choose an artificial tree that you really love, and use it for more than 10 years, the environmental benefits will ultimately overtake those of having a real tree.
If you aren’t able to make that length of commitment to your tree or still enjoy the tradition of bringing real foliage into your home, make sure you select a sustainably grown Christmas tree – a locally grown (in peat-free compost) tree, with a Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification, from a member of the British Christmas Tree Growers Association. Then ensure your tree avoids landfill by keeping it in a pot or in the garden to re-use next year, or by seeking a local service where it will be chipped and recycled (most local authorities offer a Christmas tree collection and recycling service for real trees, have a look at their website for details).
Aren’t the old, homemade ones the best? They’re full of memories as well as reducing consumption and waste! However, if you’re looking to add some additional bling or fun to your decoration collection this year, consider:
Making more memories - Create dried orange, cranberry, or popcorn garlands, origami 5 pointed stars from recycled wrapping or newspaper, or salt dough ornaments – have a look at this lovely blog from Moral Fibres for some ideas and instructions
Consciously consuming - Look for products from eco-friendly suppliers, made from recycled materials, have minimal, recyclable packaging, or support charitable initiatives.
All that glitters is not gold (or green) - Although super pretty, glitters (even the biodegradable options) are difficult to recycle and require several energy intensive processes. Try to avoid buying or making anything with glitter this year!
Look for LED lights to create that festive sparkle. But, most importantly, remember that if you’re not looking at your lights (i.e. you’ve gone out or gone to bed) then they don’t need to be on!
If researching gifts online, use non-for-profit Ecosia. The search engine, which runs on renewable energy, puts 80% of its advertising revenue towards reforestation and biodiversity protection in countries that Bristol Zoological Society also works, like Madagascar and Tanzania. Additionally, they don’t save your searches, track the websites you visit, or sell your data.
Consider eco-friendly advent calendars rather than the usual plastic-housed big brand ones. Either buy one that can be recycled from an eco-friendly company or create your own using a reusable and refillable display mechanism. The one you make your self can be tailored to the recipient(s) and will be all the more special and memorable for the time and thought that goes into it.
Explore your local, independent shops and craft markets, give homemade gifts (we always think preserves, fudges, and Christmas cake are good options), or give a gift that lasts beyond Christmas morning:
Gift an experience - From baking to craft, from adventurous activities to animal encounters (who wouldn’t want to try being a zookeeper for the day!)
Adopt an animal - Enable your gift recipient to get closer to the species they love with an animal adoption, and help fund conservation work in the UK and around the world
Gift a charity membership - Enable your gift recipient to play an important role in caring for our world with a Bristol Zoo Project membership
Gift a gift that gives back - Choose products from suppliers who use their profits to support charitable initiatives
Many of today’s wrapping papers contain foil, plastic, or glitter which, while bright and cheerful, makes it unrecyclable. Instead, consider wrapping gifts using Furoshiki, the traditional Japanese wrapping cloth, which is a super easy, beautiful, and zero-waste way to wrap gifts. Alternatively, use recyclable brown paper or recycled newspaper wrapped up with reusable ribbons.
Make your festive feast as sustainable, local, and seasonal as possible this year – it will be better for your taste buds and for the planet. As well as selecting seasonal produce, look for ingredients made through resilient farming systems, with high animal welfare and Pasture for Life credentials, or with a clear, trust-worthy eco-label such as Soil Association Organic. Avoid contributing to the Christmas waste problem by creating a festive meal plan and only buy, and cook, what you need.
Try seeking out beers, wines, and spirits created in a sustainable manner, locally to you. Look for those options in minimal, recyclable packaging – if you’re hosting an event buy kegs of beer and boxed wine to significantly reduce (by up to ten times) the carbon footprint of your favourite tipple.
Enjoy time together! Nothing is more important during the winter months than the people we choose to spend it with. However, also consider how you can support people in your local community to combat festive loneliness – can you challenge yourself to reach out and pass on some festive cheer to at least one new person in your community this year? This could be as simple as popping a Christmas card and mince pies into an elderly neighbour or taking time to stop for a chat (even about the weather) with the carer and patient you regularly cross paths with at the corner shop.
This time of the year can be a little stressful and feel more so when the days are short (and sometimes a bit grey and drizzly). Thankfully, it is clinically proven that spending time in nature, regardless of the weather, is brilliant for our mental wellbeing. Get out your bobble hat and wellies and go wild exploring 50 acres of beautiful nature, from woodlands and gardens to the tranquil Tower Meadow, at Bristol Zoo Project. We’re open to the public every day, except 25 December!
Christmas time encapsulates a variety of customs and traditions that celebrate human connectivity with the natural world. This year we should ensure the careful balance of that connection is cherished by the way we decorate, gift, and gather – hopefully, the tips above can help. Mostly, however, we should all take a moment to step away from the festive furore and reconnect with nature in our own way (your garden, the local park, a woodland, a beach, a mountain side, will all do just fine).
Become a member today for a year of wild adventure, and help protect the animals and habitats you love by supporting our conservation charity.
