As we enter December, now is the time for deadlines, double figure Christmas-market drinks and the stress of arranging a friend group dinner before everyone goes home for the holidays. The student Christmas, often accompanied by a hefty overdraft, lack of daylight and many hours in the library, is a slight departure from the relaxing ones spent at home, but one that can be festive nonetheless (even when living with a flatmate who is stingy with the heating). On top of this, with a majority of students (52%) being ‘very or extremely concerned about the impacts of climate change’ (as found by the Global Network Study, 2022), it’s easy to feel slightly stressed with all the environment-damaging implications the festive season can bring. So, from alternative decorations to gift ideas that won’t break the bank, here’s a complete guide for having a sustainable Christmas on a student budget.
Food: The most important part of the holiday – soups will always be a cheap and easy starter. Be conscious about the food you are buying when it comes to leftovers – brussel sprouts may be traditional but if half your friend group won’t eat them and you aren’t inspired to use them the next day then maybe give them a miss from your menu. Host Christmas dinners potluck style to help split the cost and avoid food waste. Utilise affordable ingredients like seasonable vegetables and cheaper cuts of meat (you do not need the £20 turkey, the £5 roast chicken is just as good). For staples such as stuffing or pigs-in-blankets cut costs by making them yourself rather – you’ll be paying half the price for more food! When it comes to drinks, make your own mulled wine – a Lidl budget wine can easily be spruced up with spices and will cost a fraction of what you get in stores. On top of this consider frozen vegetables and reduced price meat to freeze ahead of time. Be conscious of food waste.
Decorating: One of the simplest ways to save money and reduce your environmental impact is to make your own decorations – this is easier than it seems, looks better than most decorations you get out of Home Bargains, and is more fun than untangling Christmas lights. Fold paper into snowflakes, make garlands from oranges, use old wine bottles or jars as candle holders or go out and collect pinecones, holly and other natural materials to use. Instead of buying a Christmas tree that is expensive and that you definitely don’t have room in your flat for after the season ends, consider sprucing up one of your houseplants or make use of that cone you woke up to after Freshers. Skipping non-recyclable materials is a small but impactful choice and similarly avoid gimmicky or single-use decorations that may be tempting when you see them in the store, but will have little place in your flat after the season is over. When buying decor, think of how you can re-use it in the new year, if it’ll have a place in next year’s celebrations or if it will just ultimately end up in the landfill.
Gifts: Arranging a secret santa with your friend group helps you to avoid buying presents for multiple people without opting out entirely – to spruce it up consider adding a theme, like thrifting Christmas jumpers for each other to wear or a strict price limit. DIY gifts are often more thoughtful than store-bought ones and are easier to make than they look (I find air dry clay to be the easiest craft to make gifts that don’t just look like GOMA rejects.) Baked goods and second hand items from charity shops or online also make unique gifts that don’t break the bank. When wrapping them, skip out on wrapping paper which is not only expensive but often non-recyclable due to being coated in plastic. Instead use newspaper, old fabric or paper or a reusable gift bag. Avoid sellotape and opt for biodegradable string, ribbon or brown tape for wrapping instead. Be mindful when buying cards and avoid ones covered in glitter (which is full of harmful microplastics) or that can’t be recycled – a handwritten note is a cheaper and more sustainable idea, and less likely to end up in the bin once the festive season is over.
For surviving the cold: hot water bottles are under £5 in most places, a second duvet is a personal lifesaver, multiple thin layers in the house are more effective and comfortable than wearing a jacket, – these small investments make a huge difference in staying comfortable if you are heating bill conscious!
Overall, whilst the wait til the next student loan payment is long, having an enjoyable budget-friendly and eco-conscious Christmas is easy with a little creativity and can be a light at the end of the 5-day extension forms and Moodle maintenance issue tunnel.
Author: Erin Tait [she/her]
qmunicatemagazine.co.uk 