As we prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ, this Christmas also marks a special moment for the Church: we are living in the Jubilee Year 2025, a Holy Year with the theme Pilgrims of Hope. It is a time of renewal, reconciliation, and re-commitment to living the Gospel more deeply.

As Catholics, our pilgrimage of hope includes how we care for God’s creation. Inspired by Laudato Si’ and our archdiocese’s Care for Creation plan, Christmas offers a perfect opportunity to reflect on how our celebrations can honour both the Creator and His creation.

Here are some simple, practical ways to celebrate a more eco-friendly Christmas this Jubilee Year.

1. Walk as Pilgrims to Mass

In this Jubilee Year, we are invited to see our lives as a pilgrimage. Where possible, take inspiration from our several local pilgrimage walks this year and consider walking to Mass or sharing a lift with others. Not only does this reduce our environmental impact, it also reflects the spirit of pilgrimage — walking together in faith, hope, and community.

Even small changes, like combining journeys or travelling mindfully, can make a difference.

2. Real vs. Artificial Christmas Trees

When choosing a Christmas tree, consider what is most sustainable in the long term.

A locally grown real tree supports sustainable farming and can be recycled after use. Even better, a potted tree can be replanted or reused year after year.

However, if you already have an artificial tree, the most eco-friendly choice is often to keep using it for many years. Sustainability is not always about buying new, but about using and caring for what we already have.

3. Simple, Natural Decorations

Choose decorations that last or can return to the earth.
Consider making decorations from natural materials like pinecones, dried orange slices, cinnamon sticks, or holly. These are beautiful, biodegradable, and free from microplastics – and they make your home smell wonderful!

Avoid loose plastic glitter where possible and opt forreusable or handmade alternatives. Parish groups might even consider organising a Christmas decoration workshop, making decorations together from natural orrecycled materials.

4. Sustainable Gift Giving

Christmas invites us to rediscover the joy of thoughtful giving rather than excessive buying.

You might consider:

• Gifting experiences instead of items
• Supporting local artisans and small businesses
• Choosing fair-trade or ethically produced gifts
• Giving charity gifts, such as those from CAFOD or similar organisations
• Buying second-hand items or refurbished electronics

In this Jubilee Year, these choices can be acts of solidarity with the earth and those most affected by climate change and poverty.

5. Thoughtful Wrapping

Dr Jennifer Jones, scientist and nature writer, highlighted in her recent Pic article that according to the Sustainability Team at Bournemouth University, UK consumers use 227,000 miles of wrapping paper every year –enough to circle the earth nine times. To make matters worse, many traditional wrapping papers contain plastic or foil and cannot be recycled.

Try using:

• Recyclable paper or brown paper
• Fabric wraps (such as reusable cloth gift bags)
• Old newspapers or magazines
• Reusable gift boxes or gift bags

You can add natural decorations, like a sprig of rosemary or a cinnamon stick, and save Christmas cards from last year to cut out and reuse as gift tags.

6. Christmas Cards

Cards carry warmth and connection, but they can also create unnecessary waste.

Consider:

• Sending e-cards to some friends or family
• Choosing cards made from recycled paper
• Avoiding cards with glitter or plastic
• Recycling them afterwards

As Dr Jones suggests, you might also consider keeping special cards and reusing them creatively the following year, either to make your own cards or even for gift tags.

7. A More Sustainable Christmas Meal

Food is often central to our family celebrations this time of year, but Christmas can also lead to significant food waste. The Soil Association reported massive Christmas food waste in 2022, including millions of discarded turkeys, puddings and mince pies.

To care for creation:

• Plan meals carefully to avoid overbuying
• Use local, seasonal produce where possible
• Consider opting for more plant-based options
• Save leftovers and freeze what you can
• Compost food scraps if possible
• Donate     unopened items to local foodbanks

This supports both environmental care and our Jubilee call to solidarity with those in need.

8. Energy Use at Christmas

Christmas lights and cooking add to our energy use. Simple steps can help reduce this:

• Use LED lights – Dr Jones reminds us that they use up to 80% less energy
• Switch lights off when not needed
• Use timers for outdoor lights
• Keep lids on saucepans when cooking to keep the heat in
• Enjoy the warmth of the kitchen when cooking your Christmas meal to reduce     heating elsewhere

Small habits, when shared across a community, can have a meaningful impact.

9. Prayer for Creation

This Jubilee Year invites us not only to change habits, but to deepen our hearts.

As part of your Christmas prayer, consider including gratitude for creation: for the earth, our food, our neighbours, and all God’s gifts. You might also pray for those most affected by climate change and environmental damage.

Care for creation is not just practical — it is spiritual.

10. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

As we tidy away after Christmas, remember to recycle what you can, donate unwanted gifts, and store decorations carefully for future years.

Better still, take one small eco-change from Christmas and carry it into the rest of the year — turning a festive habit into a lasting way of life.

A Jubilee Call to Hope

This Christmas, may we truly live as Pilgrims of Hope.
Let our celebrations reflect not only joy at Christ’s birth, but a renewed commitment to our shared home.

Through prayer, simple choices, and caring for creation, we can make this Jubilee Christmas a moment of hope for our communities, for the earth, and for generations to come.

Wishing you a joyful, peaceful, and blessed Christmas.