A Conscious Christmas

Here, we share some of our favourite tips for having an environmentally friendly Christmas and ways to reduce the impact the gifting season can have, without sacrificing the little indulgences we love at this time of year.

Top 10 Tips for an ethical Christmas

1.1.Shop Local.  

There are so many talented makers in the UK, no matter where you live you will find some incredible gifts to suit all budgets and tastes. Did you know, for every £1 spent with a local business, 63p stays in the local economy, compared to only 40p for large business’. For local items amid lockdown 2.0, have a look at https://www.shopbristol.co.uk/, a site that is now home to a collection of independent businesses that offer a range of beautiful and unique gifts for everyone.

2.Buy an experience or workshop.

With the onset of an increasingly digital environment and a year when most of us have been restricted to our homes, taking time out to appreciate the real world can be an incredibly meaningful gift. With a variety of experiences and activities now available, there is sure to be a suitable option. Know someone that loves the outdoors? Why not get them a foraging experience day. We recently took part in a lampshade making workshop (with Hannah Redden) that was a fantastic evening. Got a foodie in the family? Perhaps they would enjoy a cooking class, or a dining in the dark experience for the adventurous relative.

3.Indulgence.

Who doesn't love receiving some of their favourite tasty treats? Cosy, indulgent treats make the winter bearable. Give the gift of Hygge; a favourite loose leaf tea, a gourmet hot chocolate (personal favourites; black forest and chocolate orange from Pip’s real hot chocolate; https://realhotchocolate.co/). With the rise of the mighty small independent, there are now a huge selection of extra special options available, from craft beers to local flavoured gins and whisky’s, why not treat someone you know.

4.Support a charity 

Organisations such as the Woodland Trust and WWF all have a variety of gifts or subscriptions to suit all budgets. One of our favourites is the cinnamon and orange spiced soap from the Woodland Trust, which can be found here: https://shop.woodlandtrust.org.uk/woodland-trust-warm-spice-soap. Another option is to buy from companies that support charities. Ulterior Motif Designs, Poison Oak Apparel and Willowknd are just three of the many companies that support charities through their sales so by buying with them, you in turn are able to support.

5.Make a donation or sponsor an endangered animal 

Now more than ever, the natural world needs our support. By donating or sponsoring on your loved ones behalf, you are providing valuable support. Most companies offer a quarterly information pack for a years subscription, so your gift recipient can see what progress is being made on their behalf.  https://support.wwf.org.uk/adopt-an-animal

6.Buy hand made

Campaign Support Independent has been in full swing this year. As a company that puts a lot of love into every product we make, we can promise you that small business’ are grateful for each and every purchase. If you can, try and buy directly from an artist, maker or small independent retailer. The likes of Etsy, Not on the High Street and Handmade Britain all champion UK makers and craftsmen and have made it easier than ever before to find something your loved ones will cherish.

7.Make it personal

Make your own wrapping paper - use a favourite fabric or have a go at making your own printed paper. Brown paper and twine or ribbon makes for a beautifully understated aesthetic (adding a sprig of seasonal foliage or dried lavender gives a gorgeously bespoke feel). Avoid excess sellotape to cut down on plastic. For hard to wrap gifts, use a box that can be repurposed as a decorative storage box. This is a great option if you’re gifting food or drinks. For those creatives among you, have a go at DIY word search paper for small gifts- simply print off your personalised puzzle wrap and highlight who your gift is for. For the extra mile, consider reusable tags; mini chalk slates or their name in letter beads make it really personal.

8.Get Creative

Make your own decorations or buy hand made from artisan makers. Some of our favourites have been found at the German Markets but there are a huge variety of UK based makers offering beautiful hand made decorations. Some of our fondest festive memories are making our own decorations at nursery and with family. You can find ideas of how to have a go at making some of your own on our Pinterest Board: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/ulterior_motifs/conscious-christmas-gifting/. Pack away carefully for next year and keep building your personal collection!

9.Make the switch

Try and use LED lights for your decorations, they use less energy and look just as good! Switch off your lights at night, its safer and won’t cost the earth. Some come with a timer that you can set in case you have one too many eggnogs and forget. Similarly, going battery free (for lights and presents) will reduce your environmental impact. Batteries are hard to get rid of and can leak harmful chemicals when in landfill. 

10.The Aftermath

Country Living has a useful article on how you can recycle your (FSC certified!) Christmas tree this year, you can find it here: https://www.countryliving.com/uk/homes-interiors/interiors/news/a1193/how-recycle-christmas-tree/.

We hope you found this useful, please feel free to share with anyone you think might enjoy it. From Ulterior Motif Designs, we wish you a:

And a Happy New Year!