Christmas decor or gifts shouldn't cost the earth. There are many ways we could be more Eco-conscious this Christmas - from buying pre-loved items, repurposing old decor, to choosing Eco-Friendly products from local ethical makers, plenty ways to show your loved ones, and the planet, that you care.
12 Ways To Have an Eco-Friendly Christmas:
1. Get a real Christmas tree.
The real Christmas tree is certainly more Eco-friendly than the fake one. If you go for the real one, choose a locally sourced and grown tree. Take a look at these expert tips on Christmas Tree care. What after Christmas is over? You could replant the tree, take it to your local botanical garden or send it to recycling centre at Recycle Now. However if you have a fake one, you can certainly use it, just bear in mind for the fake tree to get to be sustainable, it needs to be used for 20 years.
2. Choose Eco-friendly packaging.
Time to get creative. Here's what you can use as a wrapping paper: old magazine, leftover of paper napkins or upcycle maps and old piece of fabric. If DIY is not really your thing, go for eco-friendly reusable packaging. Some of them are perfect for grocery shopping Once the festive season is over. Here a few from Etsy that caught my eye:
3. Send personalised Christmas e-cards.
Instead of spending money on standard cards that rarely anyone keeps, save money and trees by choosing fully customisable Christmas cards on Greenvelope, where you can get some truly remarkable designs.
4. Choose a memorable experience over a traditional gift.
If you think about it, what memories you cherish the most? It's usually a celebration, big family dinner gathering or as simple as the time spent with your loved ones. No expensive gift wold ever replace that lasting happiness. So, instead of spending a significant sum of money on expensive gifts, you could instead get things like membership, subscription or a gift certificate - something that will give your loved ones a memorable experience.
Subscription such Try The World is a great one - where you get to taste different foods from all over the world. You don't just get to try a variety of foods; you also get tips, recipes and stories designed to best experience international culinary culture. How fun is that? And guess what you will be supporting small, family-owned companies who follow traditional methods of production. Double kindness! :)
5. Opt for LED Christmas lights.
LEDs are far superior in a lot of ways. To name a few: LED lights are Eco-Friendly, they last longer, and you'll also save on your energy bills. Read more on why is LED lighting a better choice here. Here are fantastic solar powered choices fairy lights from Natural Collection:
6. Upcycle old Christmas decor.
Hey, most of us dream about breath-taking instagrammable Christmas decorations. That doesn't mean we should buy entire Christmas decor each year. There's no reason why your old décor should end up in landfill.
You can easily upcycle just by repainting it. And if you still need a few new pieces to top up, search for vintage, second-hand or plastic-free ones. Nkuku is undoubtedly worth browsing. My top Sustainable Christmas picks:
7. Get cosy with an Eco Friendly blanket.
Can we even say it's officially Christmas without a soft, cosy blanket or throw on the sofa? This handmade cinnamon waffle throw from Etsy ads just a perfect touch of cosiness to your home, and it will certainly keep you warm.
If you fancy more neutral tones, this natural Mayla Throw from Nkuku might be your cup of tea:
8. Eco-friendly cushions
Get that cosiness on the next level with a few soft Eco-Friendly cushions and pillows. I would suggest getting no more than three, something you can easily tuck away once the festive season is over (don’t forget to reuse them again next year).
9. Biodegradable dinner plates.
How many times were you hosting a dinner party, and suddenly realised you don’t have enough matching plates. Frustrating, isn't it? Top up your kitchenware with affordable biodegradable dinner plates made from palm leaves and you're never have to worry again:
10. Donate your old toys.
Go through your old toys collection, handpick the one you would like to donate. During the Christmas season in the majority of local shops, there is a designated box where you can donate the toys. If you are a shop owner - try to set a small corner for donations and put a smile on someone’s face.
If you are planning on getting some new toys, take a look at the ones that are made with a great cause in mind. Natural Collection has a fantastic collection of Eco-Friendly toys worth browsing.
11. Shop locally.
Support local makers – if you can source most of the things locally, that’s just wonderful. That is something we should get into the habit of doing it every day not just during holidays.
Related: Local Homeware Makers
12. Gift mother Earth.
Our mother earth deserves to be nurtured. A few examples:
Plant a tree.
Be less wasteful with food.
Use water mindfully.
Say no to plastic.
Repurpose and reuse things whenever possible.
Picks your act of kindness this year and have the very merry Christmas.
Why Should We Be More Eco-Conscious During Christmas
"Christmas shouldn't cost the Earth" - says WWF and I agree 100%. If we don't try to change our habits, consumerism and mindset in the next 20 years, there will be no snow or clean air to breath. It seems like a long time, but it's much shorter than we think. Every decision we make, no matter how small, has a tremendous effect on our planet over time.
Four things with a major impact on the waste increase during Christmas:
(Info Source - WWF and Commercial Waste)
I believe majority of us is not fully aware of the impact we have on daily bases. And that's okay, as long as we keep learning how we could get better at it. To fully understand Earth's life-cycle and how exactly our actions influence the climate balance, I highly suggest watching the short video on YouTube: One Planet | Our Planet by Netflix.
Wish you and your family a Merry Christmas! xox
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