Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year. But as it rolls around each year, it’s harder to ignore the impact it has on the planet.

At The Body Shop, we’re trying to live a little greener. Through schemes like Return, Recycle, Repeat and Community Fair Trade recycled plastic, we try to make sure our products have a positive impact. We know it can feel a bit overwhelming trying to do your bit, but even the smallest change in behaviour can have a huge impact.

By being mindful of the way we shop, we can make sure the world we live in is a cleaner one. So, the next time you’re shopping for a gift, why not put a little extra thought into how it impacts the planet?

With everything in excess, from our turkeys to gift tags, Christmas can be tough on the planet. This got us thinking, how can we make sure our next Christmas, and the one after that, is greener than the last?

Though there are many things we can change when it comes to our Christmas habits, we thought we’d take a look at how to be more sustainable when it comes to gifting. Everyone loves to spoil their loved ones with gifts, but gifting is a big contributor when it comes to Christmas waste. Here are a few ideas to for ways to cut down your environmental impact at Christmas.

Our Community Fair Trade programmes ensure small-scale farmers, traditional artisans, and rural co-ops all over the world are paid a fair price. In exchange for raw, quality ingredients, we offer good trading practices and prices that help fund community projects.

Our entire Shea range is made with Community Fair Trade shea butter. It’s handcrafted by the Tungteiya Women’s Association in northern Ghana and helps 640 women from 11 villages. Our Tea Tree range is made with Community Fair Trade tea tree oil which is sustainably sourced from a number of independent farmers in Kenya. Both ranges have treats that make perfect gifts, like our intensely nourishing Shea Body Butter and our powerfully purifying Tea Tree Anti-Imperfection Night Mask.

There are ways to cut back on plastic. In an effort to help empower people and the planet, we use Community Trade recycled plastic from Bengaluru, India, in our 250ml shampoo and conditioner bottles.1 This partnership helps empower the waste pickers we support with access to more sanitary working conditions, a fair price and the respect and recognition they deserve.

Want in? Pick our Puree Bliss Banana Haircare Duo, containing our nourishing and fruity Banana Truly Nourishing Shampoo and Conditioner as well as a super fun Monkey Hair Wrap. Or, if you prefer something a little more zingy, our flake-shaking Ginger Shampoo and Ginger Conditioner have got a lot to feel good about. Wash away loose flakes and kick hair into action.

B Corps™ believe business should be a force for good. To become a certified B Corp™ every business goes through a challenging assessment to ensure they meet the highest verified standards of social and environmental performance, transparency and legal accountability. B Corps™ don't just care about profit – they care about people and the planet too; and use the certification process to prove it. Across the globe, B Corps™ – like The Body Shop – work to create stronger communities and healthier environments through their employment and business practices, trade partnerships, advocacy and project work. So, every time you shop with a B Corp™, you're supporting a business that’s taking action to create a better, more inclusive and sustainable world.

We’re all becoming much more aware of the positive impact veganism has on the planet. It cuts down on greenhouse gases, frees up land space and saves water2, to name a few benefits. As many of us adopt a more plant-based lifestyle3 – whether that’s through our eating habits or through our skin and body care routines – more resources have become available for brands to adapt without compromising on quality. Interested? Check out our vegan Carrot collection, made with wonky, organic carrots, Drops of Youth™ Bouncy Sleeping Mask and Moringa Body Yogurt. By shopping vegan, you’ll not only be making your favourite vegans happy but doing that little bit to help the environment too. And why not check out our vegan gift guide to get a feel for all of our vegan treats?

While you’re considering how to be a little more conscious this year, why not also take a moment to reflect on what the real magic of Christmas means to you?

For us, it’s the messy, making-it-up-as-you-go-along, laugh out loud moments. It’s badly wrapped presents, wonky Christmas trees, embarrassing Christmas jumpers and overly competitive board games. These are the joyfully imperfect moments of togetherness that make the best memories.

For us, the real magic of Christmas is made together.