Ideas for a Sustainable Christmas

Christmas decorating is a wonderful opportunity to embrace sustainability and make eco-friendly choices.

Start by decorating your home with handmade ornaments crafted from recycled materials — these not only add charm but also support artisans and reduce environmental impact by reusing materials that could have gone to landfill.

For example, this stunning decoration is made from recycled paper. It has been crafted by Papyra Arts, an organisation that focuses on creating designer paper products made from sustainable sources. All their products are handmade and made from recycled paper, saving trees, landfill and giving employment to artisans in India.

Or explore a variety of Fairtrade decorations crafted by talented artisans from around the globe.

When it comes to wrapping gifts sustainably, there are plenty of creative and eco-friendly options to explore.

Consider using recycled gift bags or wrapping paper which help reduce waste and give a second life to existing materials.

This year, explore our range of recycled gift bags and wrapping options, like the beautiful Handmade Woodland Bottle Gift Bag.

If you want to take it a step further, repurpose second-hand clothes like scarves , as unique gift wrap.

This not only adds a personal touch but also reduces the need for new materials. Plus, by doing so, you can add another gift by choosing a stylish vintage scarf to wrap your present in.

Still love sending your yearly Christmas cards? This year, you can spread festive cheer sustainably by choosing from Oxfam’s range of charity Christmas cards, which are widely recyclable, glitter-free, and FSC-approved.

To help reduce waste, many of our designs go beyond their initial purpose — they can be creatively reused as puzzles, bookmarks, decorations, or gift tags.

Plus, most of our designs are unique to Oxfam, so you won’t find them anywhere else. By choosing our cards, you’re not only reducing waste, you’re part of a global movement of people acting together against poverty.

Reducing food waste at Christmas might feel impossible, especially if you’re catering to a large group. However, there are plenty of ways to make your celebrations more sustainable this year by reducing food waste.

Start by planning meals carefully to avoid over-buying — write a realistic shopping list, portion out servings in advance, and resist the urge to over-cater.

Get creative with leftovers: transform roasted vegetables into hearty soups, turkey into sandwiches or curries, and stale bread into croutons or stuffing.

Once you’ve planned your Christmas catering, you might want to think about making some ethical swaps. Try Zaytoun’s premium olive oil and their aromatic Za’atar herb mix for perfectly seasoned roast potatoes, or stock up on their delicious dates and almonds for festive nibbles. Founded in 2004, Zaytoun is an award-winning social enterprise. 100% of Zaytoun's profits are reinvested into furthering their mission of supporting the livelihood of Palestinian farmers through fair trade.

And of course, everyone loves something sweet after a big meal. Explore Fairtrade brands like Tony’s Chocolonely for chocolate treats —whether you’re sharing a bar with loved ones or using it to create indulgent desserts like brownies.

Find more wonderful ethical brands here.

When setting the table, consider shopping for second-hand homeware to add unique charm to your dinner spread — think vintage gravy boats or elegant new-to-you glasses.

Use recyclable crackers to reduce waste and craft reusable fabric place mats for a personal, sustainable touch.

Small changes like these not only make your table setting more thoughtful and distinctive but also are helping people and planet by reducing waste and giving pre-loved items a new home.

Are you tired of overspending at Christmas or frustrated by packaging waste from new gifts? This Christmas, there are plenty of ways to make more sustainable choices.

Consider buying eco-friendly gifts, Fair Trade products,  items with minimal plastic packaging, or shopping second-hand wherever possible.

Second-hand gifts are a thoughtful and sustainable choice that reduce waste while saving money.

For book lovers, a pre-loved classic or special edition can make a meaningful gift, kids will enjoy toys like building sets or dolls in excellent condition, while vintage home décor items offer unique and personal presents.

Friends into fashion might appreciate a stylish handbag or piece of jewellery and music or film enthusiasts will treasure vinyl records or DVDs.

You might be surprised at the quality available—many second-hand items are in great condition and are carefully checked before being added to the Oxfam Online Shop. In fact, 60% of UK adults say they’d feel comfortable receiving a pre-loved gift!

Pairing your pre-loved finds with an ethically sourced gift is a wonderful way to create the perfect combination for your loved ones while making sustainable choices.

The Sourced by Oxfam range offers an exciting selection of eco-friendly products to pair with a second-hand treasure.

Sticking to a budget this year? Discover gifts for £10 and under like this beautiful Recycled Sari Kantha Makeup Bag or these Gold Hoop Earrings with faux pearl detail, handcrafted by skilled artisans in India.

Or do you love to gift something practical? Explore gifts from £11–20, such as this vibrant and practical Lunch Bag paired with a reusable Cutlery Set for the perfect eco-friendly combination. For gifts over £21, go the extra mile with something truly thoughtful, like this stunning embroidered Mandala Cushion.

You could also invest in flowers that last forever—these gorgeous Felt Flowers handcrafted by artisans in Nepal, pair beautifully with a second-hand vase.

This festive season, make your Christmas even more meaningful by choosing gifts that align with your values. Shopping with Oxfam means you’re not only giving beautiful gifts to your loved ones, but you're also supporting ethical practices that make a difference. Whether you’re looking for second-hand treasures or unique, fair trade or ethically-sourced products, there’s something special for everyone online or in your nearest Oxfam shop.