Sustainability, not exactly considered the number one sexy subject to bring up while sipping mulled wine in front of the fire. However, at Love Not War we believe that sustainability and sex are not ‘chalk and cheese’ and that they actually have the potential to be intertwined with each other.
Christmas is probably the most widely celebrated holiday in the world. 60% of adults prefer the feel good factor of giving gifts, with the individual person giving 32 gifts each year. While we’re onboard with giving loved ones presents, we’re not okay with the 1.6 billion tonnes of waste generated that comes from the UK every year as a result of it.
Now don’t get me wrong, at Love Not War we love Christmas, the opportunity to show your loved one how much they mean to you, not to mention the added bonus of it being one of the busiest times of year for the sex toy industry.
But from day one at Love Not War, ‘eco-friendly’ has been at the core of our business model and our goal is for people to come along on this journey with us, and in turn, implement some ‘green’ practices into their own lives.
So for those interested in keeping the Christmas fire burning, while also respecting the earth, here are some of our top tips to get you ready for the ultimate sexy yet sustainable Christmas.
1. Set the mood
Creating the right environment is the first port of call for any sexy Christmas. Why not purchase some coconut oil candles, turn the lights out and enjoy an evening off the grid with your partner without using any electricity. Order in some food, play some strip poker, give each other a sexy massage, all enjoyed by candlelight. Not only is this good for the environment but it's also a great way to set the mood and enjoy some one on one time with your significant other.
It’s also good to be prepared for your evening by purchasing some lubricant and condoms. They are also two items that are difficult to get right when you’re trying to be sustainable, especially condoms, the catch 22 of the ‘green sex’ world. An item that we need in order to practice safe sex however they are just one-time use products so it's important to find a condom brand that is cruelty-free and considerately made. A great option is Hero Condoms, an eco-condom brand whose products are 100% electronically tested, paraben-free and vegan friendly.
Lingerie is also a frequent staple for most on Christmas and with a growing number of ethical and sustainable clothing brands coming to the market that respect both people and the planet, this is the perfect way to ensure you look and feel sexy this Christmas while remaining sustainable. Find a brand that is ethically sourced, organically made and uses recycled packaging. Some ethical clothing brands include Organic Basics, Cosabella and Pact.
2. Gifts, cards, wrapping and everything in between
When we think of Christmas and picture the occasion in our heads, presents wrapped up under the tree, sending cards to friends and family, a box of Quality Street being passed around all come to mind.
However when it comes to showing your love in a sustainable way, why not this year ditch the cards, the wrapping paper, the plastic disposal gifts and opt for a more eco-friendly yet just as thoughtful token for your partner.
How about giving an e-card or a recyclable card, showing your appreciation with some baked goods or a houseplant or giving a gift that is built for longevity, such as a sustainably created Love Not War vibrator. At Love Not War, we currently have seven products available in our range, all are made from predominantly recycled and recyclable materials in our custom-built, green-powered factory. Our fully waterproof and rechargeable vibrators also come with interchangeable heads, meaning that only one battery base is needed for all the available heads making multiple products in one.
3. Support local
One of the best ways to ensure you can remain sustainable at a time such as Christmas is to trace the supply chain of any brand you want to purchase from. Choosing and supporting local companies that ethically, sustainably and locally produce, design or source their products is a great way to do this.
We know that choosing to implement eco practices in your everyday lives, especially at a time like Christmas is definitely a learning process, but it’s important to remember that anything big always starts with small steps. Making the decision to not send a Christmas card this year might seem like nothing monumental but as the saying goes, “We don't need a handful of people doing zero waste perfectly. We need millions of people doing it imperfectly”.
As a sustainability brand, it is our responsibility to create products that are green. We know the industry is not perfect and we still have a long way to go, but if we all make a conscious effort to try, we’ll be able to make a difference.