An Eco-Friendly Christmas: Gift Ideas and Zero Waste Tips

Christmas is “the most wonderful time of the year”, as Andy Williams sings. We agree, but we’d also like to point out that Christmas produces twice as much waste as the rest of the year.

An eco-friendly Christmas is easier than you might think, and just as much fun. It can even save you money! There are lots of ways to have a positive impact on the planet and still celebrate to the full. That’s why we’ve put together 5 tips for small changes with a big impact.

🌲 The Christmas tree and sustainable decorations

Who can imagine Christmas without a tree? It’s one of the strongest symbols of the season.

Many of you have probably wondered which tree is best.

If you prefer a real one, try a tree in a pot this year. You can plant it in the garden afterwards or use it again next year. Just make sure it has its full roots. Many trees have their roots cut back too far, which is why most of them don’t survive replanting.

If you do choose a cut tree, don’t forget to take it to a designated collection point after Christmas, where your town will make sure it gets reused. If you go for an artificial one, pick one you won’t get tired of even after years.

⭐ Decorations that fill your home with scent

Shops full of Christmas decorations tempt us to buy new ones every year. Why not make your own at home this year? Just slice an orange or an apple and hang the slices on the tree together with cinnamon sticks. Decorations like these are guaranteed to make the whole room smell wonderful.

You’ll find plenty of ideas for natural decorations online, and you’ll have fun making them too. Christmas isn’t about having a different tree every year, so if you already have older decorations at home, use them or swap them with friends.

Of course, candles are an essential part of the atmosphere. We have beautiful, fragrant ones in our shop, sold individually or as a set for an Advent wreath.

💡 Our tip: if you don’t have time to make decorations yourself, try our Beeswax Christmas Ornaments. They are hand-cut Christmas decorations made from pure beeswax honeycomb, and their unique texture and golden colour give any tree a touch of real magic.

🍽️ Storing food without unnecessary plastic

Did you know that in the UK more than 7 million tonnes of food are thrown away after Christmas every year?

Christmas is without doubt a time of plenty and generosity. Tables, fridges and pantries are full of food that people don’t manage to eat, and much of it ends up wasted.

How can you prevent that?

A shopping list and zero waste wraps

Before you go shopping, write a shopping list and only buy what’s on it. Choose meat-free dishes where you can and buy seasonal and local.

If you still can’t eat everything you’ve prepared, storing it properly is key. That’s why we recommend beeswax wraps and beeswax bags.

• Christmas baking and bread stay fresh much longer in our beeswax bags than in plastic.
• For cut vegetables (pumpkin, broccoli, cucumber) and for covering salad bowls, eco wraps like the Waxopack L (35 × 37 cm) or XL (47 × 50 cm) are ideal – the XL even covers a baking tray with a cake.
• Because our beeswax wraps let food breathe, bread doesn’t “sweat” in them and mould has less of a chance.

♻️ Eco-friendly gift wrapping

More than half of people buy new wrapping paper every year. But a lot of it contains foil, glitter or plastic, which means it can’t be recycled.

• Many products already come in their own packaging, so all you need is some jute twine or a ribbon.
• You can also wrap presents in our lovely Waxopack gift boxes. They are made from sturdy recycled cardboard and will be useful long after Christmas for storing small things (like crayons or beads).

🎁 Original and practical Christmas gift ideas for the whole family

Presents are an essential part of Christmas. Try an eco-friendly approach this year and choose quality over quantity. The fact is that many gifts end up unused after Christmas. You could also try swapping a physical gift for an experience.

If you do buy physical gifts, choose ones the person will definitely use, made from certified materials and produced locally. Eco gifts ♻️ can be thoughtful as well as practical and long-lasting. Instead of yet another useless piece of plastic, give something that will genuinely make life easier and help on the way to a zero waste home.

Beeswax wraps: the perfect eco gift for every home

If you’re looking for original gifts that are sure to surprise, our beeswax wraps are a perfect choice. They make a practical gift for anyone who loves cooking, shopping or packing lunches and wants an eco-friendly alternative to single-use packaging.

Beeswax bags for bread and vegetables

A beeswax bag is the ideal helper for storing bread or vegetables. It’s a great, original gift for people who already shop zero waste. It protects bread while letting it breathe, which keeps it fresh for longer.

Waxopack gift sets: ready-made original gifts for everyone

We’ve prepared gift sets that are ready-made original gifts, put together from our most popular combinations. They’re a great start to a sustainable home. Different combinations of sizes and products make choosing easier. They’re designed to give you a complete and better-value solution for your kitchen. Each set combines the most-used sizes.

Outdoor gear

For all lovers of hiking and adventure, we’ve put together practical accessories for safety and comfort on the trail. They’re perfect for a cabin trip or as a gift for any hiker.

• SABRE bear spray: the most effective defence spray on the market and the winner of many tests. It’s essential gear in areas where bears are common.
• Bear bell: a hand-forged bell from the Slovak village of Zázrivá is a traditional, proven form of prevention. Its sound warns wildlife of your presence and reduces the risk of an encounter.
• Ecopal – eco fire starter: made from Waxopack offcuts, it helps you light a fire in a fireplace, barbecue or campfire in an eco-friendly and safe way.
• Outdoor pack: the perfect gift set for any adventurer, combining safety and practicality.

Something to enjoy

• Creative set: delight your children or other loved ones with a kit for making their own beeswax food wraps.
• “We Are Grateful” wallet: a stylish, sustainable wallet made from old advertising banners in collaboration with the local Slovak brand Dorka Bags.
• Bee candle: a handmade candle of pure beeswax that brings warmth and a lovely scent to any home.
• Jojoba oil: a multi-purpose treasure, cold-pressed.
• Waxoscent: made from natural soy wax and high-quality essential oils for a gentle yet intense scent without chemical additives. A clean, practical way to freshen up your wardrobe and rooms.

Practical gadgets

• Beeswax Wood Balsam: a premium, highly concentrated and extremely hard wax for wooden surfaces.
• Leather Balm: with jojoba oil and beeswax. It deeply nourishes, restores suppleness and creates a strong protective layer for all types of smooth leather.

Eco-friendly corporate gifts

Looking for eco-friendly corporate gifts for your team or clients? All sets are also available with a B2B discount.

Even small changes like these can make a big difference for our planet and all living creatures. Let’s be generous and considerate this Christmas, not only to ourselves and our loved ones, but to the environment too.