1. Previous
  2. Next
${alt}
${alt}

Santa Claus shares his top tips and tricks on how to celebrate an earth-conscious Christmas.

 

Words: Chekii Harling

${alt}

Santa Claus shares his top tips and tricks on how to celebrate an earth-conscious Christmas.

 

Words: Chekii Harling

You may have seen Santa making a very special appearance on @theofficialselfridges Instagram feed a little while ago (he’s also appearing in our Christmas campaign and in store over the next few weeks), as part of our Christmas of Dreams. With his encyclopaedic knowledge of all things festive, and an inherent desire to make the world brighter (not-to-mention his dazzling suit ethically crafted by independent designer Max Allen), we asked Santa to share his top tips and tricks for celebrating a more planet-friendly Christmas this year. Here, he replies to some of the Christmas sustainability woes you sent us via Instagram. 

Over to you, Santa…

Santa Claus’s Christmas wish list

Earth-conscious gifts hand-picked by the man himself

Shop now 

${alt}
${alt}
${alt}
${alt}

Dear Santa,

In the run-up to the festive period, I’ve been thinking a lot more about wrapping paper after discovering that so much of it is unrecyclable, because it’s often made from thin plastics or dyed paper decorated with plastic glitters. It doesn’t feel very in the spirit of Christmas to gift loved ones unwrapped presents, but I can’t bear the thought of the piles of single-use wrapping paper at the end of Christmas Day. What should I do?

From,

Tom

Dear Tom,

Well, when my elves are on the lookout for earth-conscious wrapping options, they recycle what they’ve got lying about or choose paper with uncoated finishes that make them easier to recycle. My tip? Look out for 100 per cent glitter-free options, and recycled and FSC-certified paper. There are so many planet-friendly options with joyous prints and merry hues at selfridges.com – including yours truly in a leopard hat.

Happy eco-friendly Christmas!

Love,

Santa x

Shop planet-friendly wrapping paper

Shop now 

${alt}
${alt}
${alt}
${alt}

Hi Santa,

I’m really looking forward to spending some much-needed quality time with my family as we couldn’t be together last Christmas. However, after a recent visit to an exhibition on waste at the Design Museum, I’ve become a lot more worried about the afterlife of the gifts I’ll be giving this Christmas. Do you have any advice on how I can make sure my presents will be treasured?

Best wishes,

Ally

Dear Ally,

What a brilliant question! Present buying truly is an art form – and one that takes years of experience and a curious mind to perfect (I should know!). Firstly, I’d try to find out your loved one’s wish list. Did you know that at selfridges.com you can create a shareable wish list via the ‘My Account’ section on your profile? If you’d prefer a surprise, have a think about the planet-friendly power of present sharing. If you and your friends or family team up, you could gift something seriously special while generating less waste. Or what about a pre-loved present? Say goodbye to disposable gifts and hello to pre-loved Prada.

I hope you have a very merry Christmas!

Love,
Santa x

Designed to be treasured

Shop now 

${alt}
${alt}
${alt}
${alt}

Yo, Santa!

How’s it been chilling in the North Pole? I’m mega into my Christmas food – turkey, spuds, all the trimmings, you name it – but I also understand that the food industry has a huge impact on the environment. I’m a real whizz in the kitchen, so I’ve volunteered to cook this year, but my younger sister is incredibly environmentally conscious, so I don’t want to upset her over my choice of grub. How can I make sure that my food and drink is delicious this Christmas while keeping my sister happy?

Cheers,

Jed

Dear Jed,

Oh, food – my specialist Christmas subject! Have you ever tried swapping out meat and dairy products for veggie and vegan alternatives? Mrs Claus and I can’t wait to tuck into our beetroot wellington on Christmas Day, and as for the wine, we’ll be sipping on organic tipples – like the ones from the Selfridges Selection Organic Wine Box – this Christmas. My friends at Selfridges believe that less but better meat is the way forward, and I have to say, I can’t wait to sample some tasty morsels from Eversfield Organic’s meat boxes when I’ve over in the UK, and the brand’s vegan cheese hamper is the perfect gift for your plant-based loved ones.

Happy planet-friendly feasting!

Love,

Santa x

Shop earth-conscious food and drinks

Shop now 

${alt}
${alt}
${alt}
${alt}

Hi Santa,

My friends and I are doing a ‘friends-mas’ and lots of them are bringing their kids. I want to get the little ones a pressie, but I want to make sure my gifts aren’t disposable and can be cherished and passed down for years to come. Can you help?

From,

Simon

Dear Simon,

I’ve consulted my Senior Elves at the Grotto Toy Shop, who have come back with some brilliant suggestions. Have you ever thought about wooden toys? These are often far more timeless. And as for children who enjoy exploring the great outdoors, I’d opt for an Eco Micro Scooter made from discarded ocean fishing nets or Play for Future’s gardening kit – perhaps they’ll even grow some veggies ready for next year’s Christmas dinner!

P.S: If you’re at Selfridges London this Christmas, don’t forget to visit the pre-loved toy shop, with 100 per cent of the proceeds donated to The TOY Project charity in the Kids’ department on 4.

I hope you and the little ’uns have the most magical Christmas.

Love,

Santa x

Earth-friendly toys and games 

Shop now 

${alt}
${alt}
${alt}
${alt}

Dearest Santa,

My family and I are beyond excited for Crimbo this year – what a joy it is to have everyone together again. As an elder, I feel it’s my duty to educate the youth of today so I’ve decided that this Christmas we’ll have a zero-waste gifting policy. However, after a solid week of crocheting old T-shirts and creating beaded curtains out of bottle tops, I’m a bit concerned about running out of time before the big day. As the undisputed King of Christmas, I would greatly appreciate your knowledge and advice on how one should go about zero-waste gifting…

Kind regards,

Romi

Dear Romi, 

What a fantastic effort you’ve been making in the run-up to Christmas – your loved ones are so lucky! In my view, Christmas is not just about physical gifts but about making memories with your loved ones. Have you thought about gifting an event or experience? You can visit Selfridges Experience Concierge to find out all the extraordinary experience packages on offer or book your loved ones a personalised appointment with their beauty and wellness experts. What’s more, I’ll be hosting several events across all Selfridges stores this Christmas (see below), including Story Time with Santa and our very own Elf School, so why not bring the younger generations along!

Happy Christmas!

Love,

Santa x

${alt}
${alt}
${alt}
${alt}

Story Time with Santa

At Selfridges London

Pop down to Selfridges London this festive season for a story time session hosted by Santa himself. With exciting festive tales lining Santa’s bookshelf all year round, there’ll be a range of Christmassy classics for the little ones. The price of each ticket includes Santa’s storybook to take home.

Book now 

Breakfast with Santa

At Selfridges London, Selfridges Manchester Trafford and Selfridges Birmingham

Step inside our Christmas of Dreams as the guest of Santa Claus himself to enjoy a festive breakfast made for you and your loved ones. Receive a personalised gift for each child in the family and dine on a delicious Christmas menu.

Book now 

Elf School

At Selfridges London
After a busy year prepping, Santa is bringing back Elf School to Selfridges London. Here, children can learn all the tips and tricks on how to become one of Santa’s very special helpers. Plus, they’ll get to graduate as a fully fledged Elf! Get ready to help in Santa’s workshop in exchange for a very special treat.

Book now 

MORE CHRISTMAS EVENTS…

Dive into Christmas with our feel-good festive line-up of events for both adults and children across all the Selfridges stores. From virtual Dial-a-Santa appointments to Mrs Claus’s craft workshops and festive family brunches, we guarantee these events will get you in the Christmas spirit.

Book now

The Selfridges Christmas of Dreams

Discover exclusive products, unbelievable festive experiences and so much more at Selfridges this Christmas.

Discover Christmas