The festive season can be one of the most wasteful times of year - from food waste to an overwhelming amount of wrapping and cards, it can be tricky knowing where to start. Here, we've rounded up our favourite, go-to ways to make your celebrations that bit more conscious this year. We hope you find them useful!

(1) WRAPPING
In 2020, it was estimated that consumers in the UK binned 227,000 miles of wrapping paper. To combat this, remember to reuse and recycle - be that with paper or fabric. Avoid purchasing festive specific paper so that you can reuse it all year round; this year's trash is next year's treasure!

(2) FOOD WASTE
A personal bug bear of ours is food waste. According to WRAP 74 million mince pies are thrown out each year - and that’s not counting any other foods. In order to minimise food waste this festive season, write a concise list before hitting the supermarket. This will help you to avoid overbuying (or underbuying, for that matter!).

If you do find you have surplus food, consider donating to a local food bank. Otherwise, get creative in the kitchen with your leftovers! A cranberry and stuffing sandwich or, if in doubt, cook up a curry - pretty much anything can go into one.

(3) GIFT EXPERIENCES, NOT THINGS
The most important gift is being present with your loved ones. Mindlessly gifting again adds to the waste crisis our planet is currently facing. Experiences, however, can offer some wonderful memories. 

Better yet, exchange receiving for giving this year by making a charitable donation to an organisation of your choice.

(4) SHOP SMALL
We’re all aware of the power of where we choose to spend our money, so why not set yourself the challenge of choosing presents exclusively from small, independent, and local businesses? If you need some inspiration, head over to our Conscious Gift Guide. 

(5) OLD INTO NEW
The Royal Mail estimates that it delivers 150 million cards during the festive period. To avoid a plague of single-use paper, turn last year’s festive cards into gift tags - the creativity is already there, you simply have to get the scissors and a hole punch out.