DECORATIONS

For these I call eco blogger Emma Ross (mamalina. co), who has launched a sustainable guide to the festive season: Seasons

“The response has been really, really good,” she says. “People definitely seem ready for a more conscious Christmas.” On Instagram, people have been sharing photos of decorations made from dried orange slices and crackers built from loo roll tubes.

“I really want to counter the preconception that plastic-free is more expensive or less joyful,” she says. “Actually, there’s so much more joy involved when we sit down to make decorations ourselves, for example, rather than everything just arriving from the supermarket.”

In theory, I am sold. In reality, however, I fear my allergies to Pinterest and the very word “crafting” may hold me back. “Go outside,” suggests Hannah Bullivant, a leading young stylist with an eco philosophy and new ebook called Gathering.

“You can decorate for Christmas in a way that’s beautiful, easy and cheap by responsibly foraging in your garden or your nearest patch of wild,” she says. She turns ivy and other vines into wreaths and garlands to hang over the table and mantelpiece.

Sprigs of thyme or rosemary are placed on tables, while “some lovely, tall, thin candlesticks will create some height, and if you like colour you can introduce that through napkins or plates”.

It is no shock to find that a plastic-free Christmas requires more time and thought. But the investment has proved surprisingly fun and rewarding. My family and friends may have smaller gifts under this year’s (potted, sustainable) tree but they will be better considered and of higher quality. And while my love for gaudy tinsel will never dim, I will admit, begrudgingly, that our house looks a whole lot classier, too.