Like Meghan and Harry, laying low at Christmas might be a good idea this year – especially if you want to save the planet

The obvious way to cut down on unnecessary waste at Xmas is to spend it away from all the relatives, the gut-busting meals that seem to feature the same basic ingredients and the never-ending cheap booze and paper hats

The word “vegan” has quickly been subverted to suit a whole heap of commercial opportunities, as in “vegan leather”, which I hear is a must for fashion-conscious environmentalists this party season.

But how to make Crimbo, synonymous with peak gluttony and rampant over-consumption, relevant for environmental warriors? Can we create a new version of Christmas that’s truly green? How to fight against a culture geared to conspicuous consumption, from “luxury” mince pies on sale in October to retailers promoting a list of Dream Toys, most of which are made from plastic? Barbie might be on offer in different sizes this year, and in a designer wheelchair, but when she can be recycled into a table mat or turned into insulation for the loft, then we’re making progress.

Christmas is a testing time for anyone who claims to care about the planet. Extinction Rebellion activists and their headline-grabbing demonstrations have raised awareness among all age groups. Students now place the environment top of their concerns, and there’s not a political candidate who isn’t claiming to be green: it’s on-message, a top vote grabber. But how can we apply our new eco-awareness to the reality of bath bombs, cheap turkeys, beans from Kenya, ready-made stuffing and pigs in blankets? Grilling a nutburger and drinking home-brewed beer might be a gesture, but it won’t save much of the Amazon rainforest.