ChristmasGuide

If you’re after a traditional Crimbo, without being a big waster,

look no further. These gifts, decorations and tips will help you and yours have a super-savvy festive season

Stocking fillers

How about...Making your own stocking?

• Grab an old dress otherwise destined for the charity shop - or buy a cheap, second-hand shirt, dress or table cloth.• Make a card stencil in the shape that you want your stocking.• Cut two equal squares of material, bigger than your stencil.• On the back of one piece of material, trace the shape of your stocking in penicil, using the stencil.• Do the same on the other piece of material, but with the stencil the other way round.• Stitch together the two material shapes, while they are inside out, leaving the top open.• Fold and stitch a wide piece of ribbon around the open top.• Create a hook with the same ribbon.• Hope that FC makes a visit...

Pants to Poverty boxer shorts, £20 from pantstopoverty.com

Battersea Power Station cushion, £65 from greener abode.co.uk

Katherine Hamnett for EJF ‘No More Fashion Victims’ t-shirt, £40 from ejfoundation.org.uk/shopforejf/

Bamboo coloured bulb vases, £10 each from biomelifestyle.com

Solar helicopter kit, £19.99 from ecotopia.co.uk

3 bar box of artisan chocolates, £14.50 from rococochocolates.com

Badger classic lip balm set, £7.95 from lovelula.com

Turquoise plastic bag carrier, £4.95 from baggee.com

Relaxing limited edition gift set, £20 from beingcontent.com

Make Your Own recycled paper train set, £24.99 from bynature.co.uk

Shine a light on him and watch

him fly!

It’s a wrap

How about...Taking out the tape

Sticky tape can take years to decompose in British landfill sites, so why not cut it out completely? Taking out the tape also helps your wrapped presents

look much more appealing and makes them quicker to open too!

All you need to do is fold the messy end edges of the paper underneath as you wrap your gift, then tie it together using ribbon or coloured string. You’ll find the more you do it, the easier it becomes.

Handprinted Love Message, £41 from greenerabode.co.uk

Sipsmith sloe gin, £22.15 from Waitrose

Juggling penguin top, £18 from welovefrugi.com

Eat Slow Britain, £14.99 from sawdays.co.uk

Christmas tree wrapping paper (5m roll), £3.50 from greenribbon. org.uk

Orange and yellow Satin ribbon 9mm (10m roll), £4.10 from greenribbon. org.uk

Wooly hats brown gift tags,£1.95 from bouf.com

Deco plum earrings by Uncommonly Beautiful, £29 from kittydo little.com

Freeloader solar charger, £35.95 from ethicalsuper store.com

Harry the Gladstone bag, £225 from homeofmillican.com

Pantone Autumn laptop bag, €40 from maxjenny.fashion online.se

Hand-painted tiffin set, £44.95 from natural collection.com

ETHLETIC Hi Top Trainers, £36 from thefaircorp.com

Drink neat as a classic

winter warmer or with Champagne

as a festive aperitif

Deck the halls...

Mens Jura cardigan, £135 from komodo.co.uk

Solar fairy LED curtain, £40.84 from nigels ecostore.com

Plant a Decoration (plant after Christmas!), £4.49 from nigels ecostore.com

6 recycled card crackers, £10.20 from nigelseco store.com

Paper angel decorations (pack of 7), £9.95 from naturalcollection.com

Sparkly star Christmas decoration, £12 from biomelifestyle.com

Pyjamas, £20 from greenbaby.co.uk

Allegra necklace by Joanna Cave, £140 youngbritishdesigners.com

Nude Balancing Collection, £44 from lovelula.com

Lowie mustard chunky knit head- band, £22 from thinkboutique.co.uk

Pembrokeshire organic hamper, £54.95 from theorganicgift hampercompany. co.uk

One for that special

pooch...

Exclusive hamper, from £27 from Hair of the Dog London

How about...A tree with a differenceNext time you’re on a walk in the woods, look for a leafless fallen tree branch that’s small enough to carry, but big enough to decorate. They can make a lovely alternative to the usual pine trees and can look stunning adorned with twinkling lights and silver decorations. (N.B: This is not a free licence to disfigure live trees!)

Snowflake decorations (set of 4), £10.50 from natural collection.com

Pair of tree teelights, £6.50 from natural collection.com

Wooden Kashmiri stars, £15.95 from natural collection.com

12 Biodegradable Christmas pudding bin bags, £9.95 from nigels ecostore.com

Flamers natural firelighters (box of 24), £3.20 from wigglywigglers.co.uk