Get kitted out with a sustainable Christmas jumper, whether it’s for Christmas jumper day or the big day itself. Since we all love Christmas jumpers, we decided to share our top tips for sourcing eco-friendly festive knitwear. Instead of adding to the plastic pollution crisis by shopping at fast-fashion brands, check out our eco-tips and opt for a sustainable Christmas jumper. You’ve got this!
1 – Knit your own sustainable Christmas jumper
‘Tis the season to get crafty! Why not knit yourself a sustainable Christmas jumper that you can proudly wear. Whether you’re an absolute beginner or a seasoned knitter, making your own Christmas jumper is super fun and a great way to get into the festive spirit. Grab your yarn, knitting needles and find the perfect knitting pattern online. You’re all good to go! Just make sure that the yarn is 100% natural and doesn’t contain any plastic materials such as polyester or acrylic.
2 – Transform your old knitwear
We understand if knitting your own Christmas jumper is not for you. But what about upcycling one of your old jumpers into a brand new Christmas jumper? Gather a selection of sustainable Christmas decorations, such as origami stars and wool pompoms, to attach to your knitwear. You can even reuse your old fairy lights to make an interactive, festive jumper. Or check out Save the Children UK’s Christmas Jumper Day Craft Kit to upcycle your old knitwear. It’s not just sustainable, but also a great festive activity to do as a whole family that kids will love.
3 – Arrange a Christmas jumper swap
If you’re not feeling particularly crafty, then why not arrange a Christmas jumper swap with your friends and family? Rather than buying a new Christmas jumper every year, you can pass on your old one to a friend in exchange for their festive knitwear. Or alternatively, you can check out clothes swap events in your local area to find your perfect Christmas jumper that is sustainable.
4 – Check out charity shops
Another great way to find a sustainable Christmas jumper is to go out for a charity shop hunt. From Cancer Research UK to Oxfam, there are a number of great charity shops where you can find your perfect Christmas jumper. And the best part is? You can do it from the comfort of your home by checking out their online stores. Save the Children, for one, has a great Christmas jumper selection waiting to be explored. We can’t think of a better way than supporting a cause to get yourself a beautiful Christmas jumper.
5 – Buy your Christmas jumper from a small independent shop
If you’re not keen on the above options, use this as an opportunity to support small independent businesses or artisan creators. Buying your festive knitwear from a small business or artisan marketplace is the perfect way to support the sustainable fashion industry. You will be contributing to the local economy by giving your money directly to the makers.
6 – Opt for recycled materials to make sure your festive knitwear is sustainable
Rather than fuelling the plastic problem by purchasing cheap jumpers from high-street giants, be part of the solution by investing in a sustainable Christmas jumper, made from recycled materials. Notjust, a social enterprise committed to making ethical and sustainable products, is a great place to find festive knitwear made from recycled acrylic yarn. They also donate a percentage of their profits to various charities. Win-win!
Whether it’s wearing a sustainable Christmas jumper or gifting sustainable Christmas gifts to your loved ones, let’s celebrate this Christmas sustainably. Share your Green Christmas ideas in the comments below!