It is that time of year again. Christmas is just around the corner, and thanks to the long break from festivities due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this time it is going to be extra special. However, it’s also time to reflect on the fact that our modern lifestyles, including these kinds of celebrations, can have a detrimental impact on our planet. If you want to be more environmentally friendly in how you live your life, it’s time to review how you plan to celebrate the festive season this year.
Here are some helpful tips that will help you plan a more sustainable Christmas this year.
*This is a collaborative post.
*This is a collaborative post.Reduce Wastage and Pollution with Presents
Why not make handmade gifts this Christmas instead of shopping for them? Make something creative with needlework, create a painting, or even bake cookies with a personal touch to present to someone you love. It will mean so much more for the recipient than a readymade gift from a store. If you do decide to buy something as a present, make sure it is a durable gift that will last a long time instead of something that loses value in a short time and will only be tossed away. You can also re-gift presents that you received last year that you haven’t used.
Dress up Natural
This year, try to be more responsible with your wardrobe. It’s important to know where clothes come from before you make a purchase. Make sure they are manufactured using sustainable processes and made from natural materials. The easiest way is to look for brands that specialise in sustainable clothing. For example, sustainable UK label Celtic & Co. has a range of clothing made from natural fibres, as well as shoes and slippers made from sustainable materials like sheepskin.
Use Recyclable Paper for Gift Wrapping
Instead of plastic-coated wrapping paper, use brown paper for wrapping your gifts this year. You can decorate this eco-friendly wrapping paper by drawing or painting your own designs – this will add a personal touch too! Try to avoid commercial gift wrapping paper as much as possible, as they are usually covered in plastic, glitter, and other materials that make them non-recyclable. Cutting out paper shopping bags and using them to wrap your presents can also be a great, eco-friendly solution.
Use Eco-friendly Decorations
We spend a lot of money on decorating our homes and Christmas tree, usually with items and materials which are not eco-friendly. This year, use eco-friendly materials and techniques such as LED lights which consume less energy than traditional Christmas lights. For candles, choose those made of beeswax instead of the usual paraffin ones. Also, be sure to reuse your decorations from last year. If you buy any decorations, make sure they are durable and will last for years so that you can use them for many Christmases.
Think Sustainable with Christmas Trees
If you buy a Christmas tree, make sure it is sourced sustainably. It is easy to tell whether this is the case as sustainable trees come with an FSC certification. Alternatively, instead of buying a tree, decorate a tree in your garden and make it a modern Christmas tree! Another eco-friendly option is to rent a Christmas tree as this will have less impact on the environment.
Eat and Drink Responsibly
Food production causes a significant amount of deforestation, so it’s important to be economical with food and avoid wastage as much as possible. Use less meat and be aware of the sources of food you buy. Going organic from the fruit and vegetables you buy to the wine also helps a lot. Don’t throw away any excess food, as this can be donated to charities and other needy organisations. Otherwise, you can compost any leftovers.
Send e-Greeting Cards
Another way you can be responsible this Christmas is to send e-cards to your friends and relatives instead of paper cards. These are not only more eco-friendly but also much more convenient and you can customize e-cards to each recipient. If you have some designing skills, you can even create your e-cards yourself instead of buying them. There is a wide range of design software online that you can use to create spectacular and unique digital Christmas cards.
There are many ways to make your Christmas more sustainable. You should be conscious of the resources you use when celebrating the season and be responsible when choosing the clothes you wear and the food you eat. The catchwords here are ‘reduce’, ‘reuse‘, and ‘recycle.‘
Think about being economical in every aspect of your celebration and refrain from over-consuming. If we want to look after the environment, it’s essential that we critically examine our lifestyles and make sure everything that we do is eco-friendly. Every small step we take goes a long way to supporting our planet and building a better tomorrow for humankind.
How could you have a more sustainable Christmas? Let me know in the comments below.
*Disclaimer – This is a collaborative post. This post has been pre-written.
