This festive season you can make just a few wee changes to your Christmas celebrations, making a big impact on our seas. Consumerism is harming our planet (and our mental health) - Christmas should be a time to celebrate the people we love, not the stuff we think we love! Some of our team have got together to share our favourite tips to make your winter celebrations more ocean friendly…

1. Rather than buying gifts this year, our office secret Santa is all about books. We’ll all pick a book we love (or think someone else on the team will love) and bring it along to our Christmas night out. Each member of the team will then pick the book that appeals to them and take it home.

2. Fish course on the menu? Before you buy please check out the sustainable seafood guide for up-to-date advice on dolphin friendly dinner options.

John Coe and Aquarius of the West Coast Community - help us monitor this unique population by sponsoring today

3. Sponsor a whale – a thoughtful gift for all ages. You can sponsor the endangered West Coast Community of killer whales, or one of our frequently spotted minke whales - Knobble or Kasey. Our sponsorship pack is full of lovely things like a photo of your chosen whale, a species ID guide and a certificate, plus you’ll get a sightings report of where you’re sponsored animal has been sighted. Pippa’s favourite is Knobble the minke whale, as he has his very own facebook page and even a song on YouTube.

4. Ditch the wrapping paper – Brightly coloured gifts under the Christmas tree are an iconic festive image, but unfortunately most wrapping papers are not recyclable. Reuse wrapping paper and gift bags that people have wrapped your gifts in previously. Brown paper is a classy alternative that is cheaper and recyclable (around £2.39 for 6m!) which can be tied with twin rather than sellotape. Jenny suggests jazzing up your festive paper with a homemade potato stamp!

Check out this locally sourced handmade gift tag, as well as the brown paper wrapping - very stylish.

5. Give the gift of your company – it’s always stressful around Christmas trying to think of what to get for all your friends and family. Instead of panic buying prezzies this year why not give your loved ones some quality time. How about organising a trip to our Hebridean Whale Trail - pack a picnic, wrap up warm and keep a keen eye out for a fin breaking the surface. You can’t beat spending time with family and friends!

6. Instead of heading out to buy lots of shiny (but plastic-y) tinsel each year, there are lots of beautiful ways to decorate your tree that won’t hurt the planet. Karen dries slices of orange in the oven to make beautifully scented baubles. Salt dough is a fun way to make personalised decorations – Siobhan made these cute dolphins that we all decorated for our office tree!

One of the many colourful sea themed decorations on our christmas tree…

7. Stuck for gift ideas? A reusable coffee cup along with a box of posh tea, or bag of fancy coffee is a great treat for those caffeine addicts amongst you… as a mum of two boisterous wee girls this is what Morven is hoping Santa will bring this Christmas. We have a wonderful range of S’wheat reusable bottles in our online shop, where all profits help protect Scottish whales and dolphins.

8. Reduce, reuse and recycle – it’s hard to completely cut out plastic but the three Rs are something to bear in mind. Reduce – cut down on your plastics by opting for loose veggies, bringing your own shopping bags, and where possible buy things in glass or tins rather than plastic. Reuse - upcycle Christmas cards into next year’s gift tags, save decorations to use next year … Recycle – have you heard of the scrunch test? To find out if you can recycle your wrapping paper give it a scrunch. If it creases; great you can recycle! If it springs back – unfortunately not.

9. Got a mountain of washing up after your Christmas feast? Need to clean the house top to toe before the in-laws visit? There are plenty of places that you can refill your cleaning supplies with environmentally friendly products, whilst also cutting down on single-use plastic bottles.

We have an Ecover refill service in our Discovery Centre in Tobermory, a popular service with locals.

10. Don’t immediately throw out that artificial tree in favour of a real one. Pauline has had her artificial tree since 1999 and it still looks fabulous! While we do need to act now on the big plastic problem, single use plastics are the thing to cut. So rather than going out and buy new things to replace your plastic items just make good use of what you have already got. If you do opt for a real tree look out for the FSC logo to make sure your tree is sustainable, or better yet find one with roots!

11. Shop local – from food to presents your local shops should not be overlooked. Becky has managed to sort all her Christmas presents from independent businesses right here on Mull.

12. Do you usually head for the hills or local woodlands for the start of your Boxing Day constitutional walk? Ditch the car and step out from your front door instead. Take the chance to rediscover the secrets of your own patch and also get the chance to wave cheerily at your neighbours as you walk past.

12 tips for an Ocean Friendly Christmas