The festive countdown has officially begun! With less than three weeks to go it's time to start making all those decisions about how to play out this year's Christmas celebrations. We know just how many more things there are to think about at this time of year! From gifting to food prep, to decorating and more, our thought for the environment can sometimes slip through the net. Let's take things back to basics. In the spirit of sharing plus hoping to inspire us all to have a lower impact holiday whilst keeping things warm and fuzzy, Cat tells us more about her plans for a simple, stress-free, conscious Christmas.
What are your Christmas plans?
In Asia, where I lived for many years, Christmas is celebrated but in a different way. The shops are open and rather than staying in people will book a table at their favourite restaurant or bar. Now back where I grew up in Scotland, I will be celebrating the launch and progress of treen. It’s been a year! Christmas plans this year will most definitely involve champagne in hand with family, a roaring fire, all the festive tunes and my poodle, Nessy, on my lap followed by a walk on Boxing Day.
How can you make your Christmas more conscious?
There’s no better time to gift to others. Last year as gifts to our family and friends we gave hot meals for the homeless through local enterprise, Social Bite. I absolutely loved this process start to finish! We wrote a note from each person we gifted a meal to, and pinned it on the Social Bite board from the person it was going to, and took a picture to share on the big day. I remember the different feeling I got after walking out of there. It felt real, not stressful and perfectly apt to what Christmas should be.
When it comes to gifting, do you have any top tips?
I think it's important to really think about what you can achieve and what that person would actually want, whilst also being conscious. Experiences are a real winner - you are gifting something that will turn into a memory for that person and that's pretty special stuff. This could be anything from a trip to the cinema, to champagne on a rooftop or a treatment. I have already arranged a massage for a special someone who I feel will really appreciate it and I cannot wait to share it with them!
Hosting can be stressful, can you give us any tips on keeping it chilled?
When it comes to festive hosting I think taking two minutes to stop and think before getting caught up in everything. Did we buy these last year? Can I make something instead of buying it? We made our own wreaths for the store this year, and are holding a dried flower workshop on Tuesday 10th so you can get involved too. You can book your place here! So many of us have more in the ‘craft yourself’ bank than we think! Make that cocktail and have your friends over. Forage for dried flowers. Print your own wrapping paper. Why not? Have some fun whilst keeping things low impact.
The best gift you've ever been given?
No doubt about it, a vegan leather, beautiful burgundy Stella McCartney bag with bold, chunky hardware. ‘She’ is incredible and I feel a million bucks every time I wear her. Who gifted it to me? Myself! It had been a big, busy year and it just felt right. I think about that each time I pack her up for a night out.
What have you got your eye on for gifting from Treen?
What's the phrase, shop your stash? I think this is normally applied to getting the best out of the items in your wardrobe but I'm bringing it in store - it's hard for me to resist some of the incredible pieces we buy in for you all! This year I'm dreaming about the seriously bad-ass vegan leather Charlie Boots, a new set of the pretty Organic Cotton Bralette and Pants, and a comfy pair of the Standard Jeans from Kowtow for that post-dinner easy wearing. Oh, and I'll be gifting the Liam Necklace to one of my best ones. The nicest way to say thanks for the year gone by!
To mark our first Christmas as a brand we were over the moon and back to be featured in our local fashion glossy, Hood Magazine! You can pick up a free copy of the dreamy December issue now from M&S, Sainsbury's and Tescos (check out their stockists online) to read our full interview and get their covetable fashion-lover's gift guide.
As ever, we are here for you. Drop us a DM, email us with any question (big or small!) about any of our brands or pieces, or come in store and say hello!
