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At Switch2Zero, it’s all about taking action, however small the first step may be. These steps might seem small individually, but lots of little changes add up to big things!&nbsp;Christmas is just around the corner, so here are 5 top tips to reduce your carbon footprint going into the festive season.<h3>1. Shop local for presents</h3>Try to shop local whenever possible, it’s a surefire way to keep air miles low. Even if you want to order online, websites like Etsy let you select your location so you can choose presents that won’t be coming from too far away.&nbsp;Christmas fairs and markets are another fantastic way to shop local. Iconic events like the Manchester Christmas Market (UK) and Christkindlesmarkt in Nuremberg (Germany) showcase unique, handcrafted items that make for thoughtful and sustainable gifts.&nbsp;By supporting these markets, you’ll be helping local artists, artisans, and small businesses thrive, while also reducing your carbon footprint. And as an added bonus, your gifts will have a personal, one-of-a-kind touch that’s sure to delight loved ones.<h3>2. Try some alternatives to plastic gifts</h3>At Christmas, plastic waste increases by around 30% compared to the rest of the year.1For children, wooden toys are much better for the environment and can make a lovely sentimental gift. Another great idea is to gift an experience – there is something out there for absolutely everyone. Meals out, golf days, driving a James Bond car, spa treatments, cocktail-making classes, hot air ballooning, you name it, there is probably a ‘red letter day’ experience to go and do it!&nbsp;You could also avoid advent calendars which contain plastic! Making a reusable advent calendar with your family could be a really nice way to teach your kids about the importance of sustainability, and it’s a lovely tradition to start. Alternatively, there are lots of plastic-free advent calendars available online.<h3>3. Look for packaging that can be recycled or is biodegradable – and shop online with companies who are doing something about their carbon footprint</h3>Most packaging these days has recycling information on it so when selecting which brand of goods to purchase, factor in how easily recyclable the packaging is. If some of your planned purchases aren’t as sustainable as you’d hoped, maybe try something new and seek out other brands with more forward-thinking packaging ideas – you might discover a new favourite! Or send an email to your preferred brand’s head office or customer services address. They might not be able to change what they do in time for Xmas 2024, but you can always ask what their future plans are for making their packaging more environmentally friendly.&nbsp;For online orders, consider:<ul><li>What Type of Packaging Is Used? Look for minimal, plastic-free options like cardboard or paper.&nbsp;</li><li>Carbon-Neutral Shipping: Check whether the company offsets the emissions associated with shipping. For example, brands like <a href="https://eu.patagonia.com/gb/en/home/">Patagonia</a> and <a href="https://www.allbirds.co.uk/">Allbirds </a>actively invest in carbon offset projects.</li><li>Eco-Conscious Seals: Look for certifications like <a href="https://fsc.org/en">FSC (Forest Stewardship Council)</a> or labels indicating the use of recycled materials.</li></ul> &nbsp;<h3>4. Avoid buying Christmas cards with shiny foil or glitter</h3>For an ultra-low-carbon way to send festive greetings, consider skipping physical cards altogether. Many people choose to donate money to a charity and send wishes via email or social media instead. If you prefer a more personal touch, 2024 e-card platforms like Greenvelope offer beautifully designed, customizable cards that are not only eco-friendly but also support environmental initiatives through donations.For those who love the tradition of sending physical cards, opt for ones that can be recycled after the festive season. Avoid glitter or shiny foil finishes, as these materials are not recyclable and often end up in landfills. Instead, look for cards made from SFI- or FSC-approved paper (Sustainable Forestry Initiative / Forest Stewardship Council) or, better yet, cards crafted from recycled paper.If you receive lots of cards that are shiny this year, cut off the front side before recycling the rest. Perhaps you could keep them and make some of your own cards or gift tags for next year, or a local school might take them for crafting.Similarly, avoid shiny/foil wrapping paper as this also can’t be recycled. Waste Collection Company PHS claims that approximately 227,000 miles of wrapping paper is thrown away each year in the UK.2 That’s almost all the way to the moon!! Instead, use recyclable wrapping paper or get creative with alternatives like kraft paper, fabric wraps (e.g., Furoshiki), or reusable gift bags.<h3>5. Think about what kind of tree you buy this year … or borrow one!</h3>There is always a debate about whether real trees or fake trees are worse for the environment. The truth is that you would need to use an artificial tree 10-12 times for it to equate – in terms of carbon footprint – with having a real, cut Christmas tree for each of those 12 years. This is partly due to the emissions created in the manufacturing and transportation of an artificial tree, as most are made in China, from plastic, PVC and metal, and also will not be recyclable at the end of its life so will end up in landfill.A real tree will usually take 10-12 years to grow to the popular height of 6ft, and over that time it will have been a habitat for wildlife, as well as capturing carbon from the atmosphere. In the USA, according to the National Christmas Tree Association, close to 350 million Christmas trees are being grown on Christmas Tree farms in the US, in all 50 states. In the UK, the majority of real trees sold are UK-grown, with some being imported from Europe, particularly Norway.Local authorities or recycling programmes often offer a collection service whereby the tree will be chipped for mulching, composting, or as a fuel source. Alternatively you could just rent a living tree! Tree ‘hire’ schemes have been becoming more and more popular in recent times. Enjoy it over the festive period, then have it taken away and replanted for the rest of the year – just look up ‘renting a Christmas tree’ and see what is available in your local area.<h4>In the end …</h4>Christmas is all about giving and receiving, festive fun, time away from work celebrating with friends and loved ones. So as we sing carols such as ‘Joy to the World’, let’s seek to spread joy in a way that will benefit our planet as well as the people on it.&nbsp; &nbsp;1&nbsp;<a href="https://www.plasticsoupfoundation.org/en/2022/12/plastic-free-christmas-presents/">https://www.plasticsoupfoundation.org/en/2022/12/plastic-free-christmas-presents/</a>&nbsp;2&nbsp;<a href="https://phswastekit.co.uk/blog/posts/20-11-2018/how-much-waste-does-the-festive-season-create">https://phswastekit.co.uk/blog/posts/20-11-2018/how-much-waste-does-the-festive-season-create</a>&nbsp; &nbsp;