Going green this Christmas

Going green this Christmas

According to the famous song, Christmas is the ‘most wonderful time of the year’, but unless you’re planning on a green, eco friendly Christmas, it can also be the most energy consuming and wasteful time. Take Christmas lighting for example, a survey carried out by go compare via the Energy Saving Trust found that a display of 100 five-watt bulbs switched on for 6 hours a day over the festive period will consume 207kwh, the equivalent of 22.8 days of the average British household’s energy consumption. So how can we create those winter wonderlands inside and outside our homes by not being so wasteful? Here are a few ideas to try to make sure you’re dreaming of a green Christmas.

Use nature to decorate
Instead of buying those plastic decorations that everybody seems to have, you could stand out and be different, let nature decorate your home. Holly, berries and ivy draped over mantelpieces is a great alternative to tinsel and baubles that most will use. You could also try using wood or organic cotton. You could even venture outdoors and create a wreath using pine, or maybe an abandoned nest for a candle holder. It gives you scope to be creative as well being green.

Use E-Cards
According to Imperial College researchers, it is estimated that around 1.5billion Christmas cards are thrown away by UK residents each year. Why not be creative and use E-cards. They can cut your carbon footprint, save trees and save money. Alternatively you could also make your own cards from recycled paper. Either option means you can have fun designing your own, and decorate the house with your brilliant creations.

LED Lighting
As mentioned earlier in this blog, lighting at Christmas is a heavy burden on energy costs. One sure fire option to reduce these costs and consumption rates is choosing LED bulbs. They can save you up to 90% or more on power costs and will last longer than traditional bulbs.

Pick the right materials for ornaments
Instead of using plastic or thin glass ornaments to decorate your house, try wood, metal or cloth. They will last much longer and are far more durable, and you won’t have to replace them each year, they will have a meaningful place in your home every time the 25th December rolls around.


Brownfield SiteIt seems illogical that we should plan for months in advance for a day that passes extremely quickly. As special a time as Christmas is to many, it can also be extremely expensive, time consuming and stressful. By using a few of the ideas above, you could still have one the best decorated houses on the street, with the added advantage of making huge savings on energy costs and consumption. Many of these ideas will require you to use your imagination, and be creative with family members in designing your homemade wreath, or creating your own Christmas cards. A green Christmas can bring you closer together, without the worry of those electricity bills piling up and the waste you may create. Surely that is what Christmas should be about?

Useful links:

Fagerhult Lighting's Pleiad G3 light

Outdoor Lighting from Beacon Lights

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