In the second in our sustainability series, our guest blogger, Lisa, one of our Customer Service Advisors in Sheffield tells us how she has a zero waste Christmas!

“I love Christmas. There are no two ways about it. For me, as soon as the clock ticks over to midnight on the 1st December – all bets are off. Get Bublé on the blower because it’s Chriiiiiisssssttttmaaaaaassss!

As I have got older the reasons for getting excited around this time have altered slightly. But nevertheless I still get very giddy, my emotions are heightened and I absorb it into my fibres, like brandy running through a Christmas pudding!

Seeing family becomes more important than seeing piles of gifts under the tree, but still, we are told by advertisements to buy! buy! buy! for our loved ones.

I think that the reason I love Christmas so much is that it is around this time of year is that it gives me a reason to be creative.

Since becoming zero waste people have commented that it must be quite hard for me around Christmas, to find gifts and food. I often think that they picture me and my partner giving each other a self-knitted pair of socks, sitting around a candle (which would be awesome if I could knit and wasn’t vegan).

We Thrive at Christmas.

But the truth is, this is when we thrive! I love having to really think about what I am giving someone and feel that they are going to appreciate it so much more knowing that I put the effort to make or find something special.

So, where do I find these “special” things? A lot of the gifts I make come from taking part in classes booked by the Students Union and local art groups.

In the last few months I have attended classes in how to make the following; Bees Wax Wraps; Notebook marbling and binding; Christmas wreath making, Ceramic tree decorations and candle holder making. Plus many more just for fun, such as second-hand snow globe making.

These activities not only produce great presents for friends and family, but they are great fun and give you a much-needed break away from study stresses.

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My other zero-waste go-to tips for an ecomas Christmas are:

Charity shops:

I get so many “good as new” items from charity shops, especially puzzles and games for my nieces and nephews. You really do not need to feel bad about buying from these. You are effectively “giving twice” and if you give your friends and family the heads up that you will be buying from charity shops this year, they might even do the same.

Zero waste hampers:

this doesn’t have to be expensive at all. I’m talking jars of jams, chutney, some nice chocolate and a bottle of bubbly. You can always find a good homemade chutney from a Christmas fair and probably a nice bath bomb or two.

Bin off Christmas cards:

I send two “cards” every year, both made from Christmas cards I received the previous year and both to people that don’t live in this country.  In the UK 1.5 billion Christmas cards are thrown away each year. Think about it, you receive the card and bin it all in the same month and usually they have no more than 5 or 6 words on them, It’s pointless, how awesome would you feel if you received a letter at Christmas instead?

So with these tips in mind, I hope you make yourselves a very merry Christmas and have a happy new year!”