'Tis the season to be sustainable

Did you know that Christmas is one of the most wasteful times of the year? Which is why we've made a list of some of our favourite homemade festive crafts, all made out of recyclable and biodegradable materials, that are perfect to create with your flatmates and friends. 

Hanging paper angels 👼

Have some spare books lying around? Notebook notes you've typed up or won't use? Try making these super easy handmade paper angels that only take 5 minutes to put together! 

What you need: 

• Rectangular paper (such as book pages or maps)
• String/twine
• Glue
• A bead (optional)

Follow this simple tutorial below👇

Santa hat garland 🎅

Think twice before throwing your next empty egg carton away, they can make adorable Santa hats that are low-effort to make but amazing to look at. 

What you need:

• 3 egg cartons (or more) 
• String/twine
• Scissors
• Q-tips
• Red and white paint

How to make: 

1. Use scissors to cut out the pointy bits of cardboard in the middle of the cardboard, cutting a tiny bit of the top of the point off to make a small hole. 
2. Paint each one red, with a white rim along the bottom. 
3. Cut a Q-tip in half and slot it in the small hole on the top of the hat to make the bobble on top of the hat. 
4. Use the scissors to create small holes on either side of the hat and thread the string through to create the garland. 

Reusable Christmas crackers 🎁

Sensory-friendly, reusable and 100% customisable, these Christmas crackers will ensure that you and your friends or family will get small surprises you actually want inside while saving so much waste. 

What you need: 

• Napkins/fabric
• Toilet roll tubes/cardboard tubes
• Cracker fillers
• String

How to make: 

1. Fold the fabric edges just wider than your tube (but don't put it in just yet), then fold this in half. 
2. Choose your fillings. You could also write a joke, quiz question or favourite memory of your guests on a piece of paper and place inside your cardboard tube. 
3. Roll your filled cardboard tube in the fabric from the unfolded edge. 
4. Secure the ends with twine/string and trim the excess. 
5. Add to your table and enjoy. 

Get in the sustainable spirit this holiday season. From eco-friendly gifts to food, your simple changes go a long way.