11 of the best eco-friendly Christmas decorations

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Eco-friendly Christmas decorations – BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine

Made from sustainable materials including wood, glass, wool, felt, cotton and straw, these natural Christmas decorations come from a variety of retailers including small businesses on Etsy and Not on the High Street, as well as charities such as the National Trust and the RSPB.

We have curated a mix of different designs, materials and styles to provide inspiration and showcase the range of sustainable Christmas decorations now available.

For more Christmas inspiration, take a look at our gardening gift ideas.

How to decorate sustainably for Christmas

Having a more sustainable and eco-friendly Christmas is about making small changes in your shopping habits to reduce your environmental footprint. For example, when looking for new Christmas decorations, consider the material they are made out of.

Eco-friendly Christmas decorations are typically made out of glass, wood, wool, felt or fabric such as cotton. Sustainable Christmas decorations will not use glitter because it can't be recycled. While they may be a little more expensive than their cheaper, plastic counterparts, they should last years and can be reused Christmas after Christmas.

If you enjoy crafts, you can also make your own natural Christmas decorations. Take a look at our guide on how to make a rosehip Christmas decoration or Christmas table decorations for inspiration.

Another consideration to make is replacing single-use crackers with fabric, reusable ones. Often no more expensive than shop bought crackers, these can be filled with personalised gifts or sweets and tailored to each family member.

Finally, the tree. If you enjoy having a real Christmas tree to decorate, think about renting a tree this year. There are a number of organisations including London Christmas Tree Rental and Love A Christmas Tree that will provide a potted Christmas tree over the period and then take it off your hands in January and re-plant it.

Best eco-friendly Christmas decorations

Browse our pick of the best eco-friendly Christmas decorations, below.

RSPB Glass Christmas Tree Bird Decorations - Set of six

RSPB Glass Christmas Tree Bird Decorations – BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine — RSPB Glass Christmas Tree Bird Decorations

This glitter-free set of bird decorations from the RSPB are hand-painted and tied with a small ribbon. Made from glass the set includes a blue tit, robin, blackbird, great tit, goldfinch and bullfinch, and comes in plastic-free packaging.

Price: £13.99

Buy Glass Christmas Tree Bird Decorations at RSPB

RSPB Cuddly Hedgehog Christmas Wool Felt Decoration

RSPB Cuddly Hedgehog Wool Felt Decoration – BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine — RSPB Cuddly Hedgehog Wool Felt Decoration

Made from 100% sustainable wool, this hedgehog tree decoration is handcrafted by skilled artists in Nepal who use traditional needle felting techniques.

Price: £5.99

Buy Cuddly Hedgehog Christmas Wool Felt Decoration at RSPB

Berrywho Christmas Tree Ornaments

These handmade, DIY, wooden tree decorations are lightweight and come in three festive car designs. There are six decorations in a set and designs including snowmen, reindeer and Father Christmas are also available.

Price: £4.29

Buy Berrywho Christmas Tree Ornaments at Amazon

Handmade Reusable Eco-friendly Cotton Fabric Christmas Crackers

Reusable Eco Friendly Cotton Crackers – BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine — Reusable Eco Friendly Cotton Crackers

Available in a set of six, these cotton, reusable crackers are decorated with small, dark green reindeer. The cotton surrounds a thick cardboard tube with ribbon ties to close the ends.

Price: £30

Buy Handmade Reusable Eco-friendly Cotton Fabric Christmas Crackers at Etsy

Three Fair Trade Christmas Jumper Tree Decorations

Three Fair Trade Christmas Jumper Decorations – BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine — Three Fair Trade Christmas Jumper Decorations

A set of three Christmas jumper baubles, hand knitted from fair trade wool. The wool is coloured using eco-friendly dyes and made in a workshop in West Yorkshire.

Price: £14

Buy Three Fair Trade Christmas Jumper Tree Decorations at Not on the High Street

National Trust Merry Christmas Banner Garland – BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine — National Trust Merry Christmas Banner Garland

Designed in the UK, this National Trust garland is handmade from wool and cotton. It comes in a printed cotton bag for easy storage year after year.

Price: £30

Buy Merry Christmas Banner Garland at National Trust

Chunky Knit Elf Hat Tree Topper

Chunky Knit Elf Tree Topper – BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine — Chunky Knit Elf Tree Topper

Made from Merino wool, the Chunky Knit Elf Tree Topper is a good alternative to the many plastic toppers that are available. Individually hand-knitted on large needles, each topper is a little different. A Santa hat design is also available.

Price: £25

Buy Chunky Knit Elf Hat Tree Topper at Etsy

Mistletoe Stain Glass Tree Ornament

Mistletoe Stain Glass Christmas Ornament – BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine — Mistletoe Stain Glass Christmas Ornament

This tree decoration is made from stained glass and Swarovski Glass pearl beads. It's handmade so colours and sizes may vary slightly from piece to piece.

Price: £5.95

Buy Mistletoe Stain Glass Tree Ornament at Etsy

Straw Star Tree Topper

This lightweight, straw tree topper is made in Germany using traditional methods. It measures 19cm in diameter and is woven together with cotton thread.

Price: £16

Buy Straw Star Tree Topper at Not on the High Street