Oh, the weather outside is frightful so why doesn't Suffolk have an eco-friendly Christmas this year?
As COP26 is held this year in Glasgow, starting on Sunday, October 31, we've done a round-up of some of the ways to think of the environment before December.
Below are a few ideas to make Christmas more green and eco-conscious.
Hank's Pub's vegan-friendly fish & chips is made from banana blossom and fried in craft cask ale batter Picture: Hank's Pub (Image: Archant)
1. Have an early veganuary or try a refill shop?
With Christmas parties set to return this year, there are plenty of good vegan restaurants and cafes in Suffolk with great festive menus.
Cradle in Sudbury is currently doing black tortellini stuffed with butternut, chestnut and sage with mushroom duxelles, carrot cream and crispy onions, the Walnut Tree in Thwaite has a roasted mushroom wellington and Hank's Pub in Ipswich is offering a five-course vegan Christmas dinner.
Shampoo, conditioner and more body and household washing liquids in Lucy's Unwrapped & Refill (Image: Archant)
In preparation for Christmas day, you can also head down to one of Suffolk's refill and vegan shops. Zero waste options are available at Lucy's Unwrapped & Refill in Woodbridge Road, Ipswich, Hollingsworths Store and Butchers, in Church Road, Chelmondiston, Adore Nature in Hadleigh, Bonitas Wholefoods in Tavern Street, Stowmarket, Refill Eco zero waste shop, in the Throughfare in Woodbridge and the Clear to Sea store in St John’s Street, Bury St Edmunds.
Cradle Bakery and Cafe in Sudbury. Pic - Richard Marsham (Image: Richard Marsham - RMG Photography
Tel - 07798 758711)
There are also natural products available at Saltpeter Wines, in Woodbridge, Suffolk Food Hall in Wherstead, near Ipswich, Hollow Trees Farm in Semer and Snape Maltings Food Hall.
2. Buy a Christmas tree alive in a pot
Redhouse Christmas Barn (Image: Archant)
Up to 8 million Christmas trees are bought every December in the UK alone. Environment charity Friends of the Earth recommends renting a Christmas tree or buying a potted one.
Redhouse Christmas Barn in Saxmundham has previously sold potted Christmas trees along with Elveden Farms, Katie's Garden and Plant Centre in Newbourne, M P Stephenson & Sons Woodside Farm in Holton, and Edwardstone Christmas Trees in Sudbury.
A typical tree can absorb around 21 kilograms of carbon dioxide (CO2) per year.
Sally Bendall stocking shelves at Hollow Trees Farm Shop Picture: SHAN BENDALL (Image: S&R Bendall)
3. Scarf folding and other green gift wrapping
Defra (the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) estimates that the 227,000 miles of wrapping paper used each year is enough to wrap the island of Guernsey.
If you wrap presents in scarfs its another present and makes pretty wrapping paper. The Arty Silkworm near Stowmarket, and Inula Cashmere in Laxfield are great local options along with charity shops for sustainable scarfs.
Have a look at your local refill store for other green gift wrapping advice.
4. Edible Christmas decorations
Like trees and wrapping paper, Christmas decorations also contribute to your carbon footprint.
Edible ornaments by comparison to plastic alternatives can be easily disappeared into your belly or go into your home compost.
Suffolk N Good Bakes cookie cutters can be picked up at Lucy's Unwrapped & Refill in Woodbridge Road, Ipswich.
5. Forage for a wreath
Surrounded by beautiful countryside and wide-open spaces, which lots of people locally fight to protect like the Suffolk Wildlife Trust, our woodland walks are also places to enjoy.
Ickworth Park, near Bury St Edmunds, Rendlesham Forest near Woodbridge, Bradfield Woods near Bury St Edmunds and Caprain's Wood near Sudbourne, Brandon Country Park and Bradfield Woods near Stowmarket all offer woodland strolls where you can find evergreen foliage, decorative leaves and foraged berries lying on the ground.
Stonham Barns Park is set to host a Christmas Craft Extravaganza in November to provide some seasonal cheer (Image: TANYA ALEXANDA PHOTOGRAPHY)
6. Eco-friendly present ideas
Every year it's tough deciding what to buy someone for Christmas. Clothing and alcohol often go down a treat but how do you make them sustainable?
Suffolk businesses Kachina, based near Woodbridge, and Nulla Clothing, which is now based in London, Francesca R Palumbo all make their garments in a sustainable way.
Craft beers, made locally, from Southwold's Adnams as well as St. Jude's in Ipswich and Nethergate Brewery, Shop & Tap House also make great stocking fillers.
Many of Suffolk's Christmas markets also have great local crafts that make great present ideas.
7. LED Christmas lights
Most electrical stores and Christmas shops now offer LED lights for the festive season, which saves money on electricity bills and helps the planet.
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