Hi everyone, Steve here again with another round of personal musings about life and climate... stuff.

I’ll be honest—I've been a bit off the ball lately. I haven’t read much about climate topics recently, and while we’re still using the plastic-free products we usually buy at home, I haven’t explored or invested in any new alternatives. With Christmas just around the corner, we’ve focused more on what the boys want (thanks to social pressure, marketing, and, let’s face it, some questionable parenting choices) rather than considering the environmental impact of the gifts we’ve purchased. And you know what? That’s okay. Life’s a bit chaotic, and we can’t tackle everything all at once.

But here’s the thing—Christmas always leaves me with a nagging feeling about the sheer amount of waste it generates. Every year, the UK produces 30% more waste during the festive season compared to the rest of the year (GWP Group). This includes a staggering 227,000 miles of wrapping paper (Waste Mission), which is enough to wrap around the Earth over nine times, and 1 billion Christmas cards that are often discarded (UK Government). Sure, we recycle most of it, but the sheer volume is overwhelming.

Not to sound like Scrooge, but it’s hard not to feel disheartened by the excess—Christmas cards (especially the glittery ones—seriously, can we ban that?), wrapping paper, product packaging, individually wrapped chocolates... it’s a lot. I know this all makes me sound like a bit of a grump. Christmas is meant to be magical, after all. But it’s also impossible to ignore how much it has become synonymous with overconsumption.

For me, Christmas should be about appreciating what we already have—not just material things, but good health, family, friends, and the kindness of people who care for others. It’s a time to pause and reflect on what truly matters. The gifts, the food, and the decorations are wonderful, but the real joy of Christmas lies in connection, gratitude, and giving—not just gifts, but time, kindness, and care.

This year, my focus is on growing my business. I want to offer products that help people live better—not just for themselves, but for their local environment too. Balancing this with a full-time job and a young family isn’t easy, but I believe it’s worth the effort. The foundations are there; now it’s time to build.

As we approach Christmas, let’s all take a moment to think about how we can make it more meaningful and less wasteful. Could we wrap gifts in reusable fabric or recycled paper? Buy second-hand toys or locally made products? Share experiences instead of material gifts? Small changes can make a big difference.

To everyone reading this, I want to wish you a truly wonderful Christmas. May your home be filled with laughter, love, and the warmth of togetherness. Let’s celebrate the season not with excess, but with gratitude for the blessings we already have.

How do you feel about Christmas? What would you like it to look like for you and your family?