All I want for Christmas is...less waste

Maybe the one thing we have learned during COVID-times is how much we like to be around other people. Now that we are limited in who we are seeing and how often, or in some cases not seeing our loved ones at all due to travel restrictions, we are realizing we are very much social beings. The other thing we might have learned is how much we depend on a healthy environment, and also how quickly nature can recover if we leave it alone for a while. We have seen that our behavior has an incredible impact and how changing our behavior can have an equally important impact. So it might be just the right time to bring up the topic of having a (more) sustainable Christmas. Yes, it the most wonderful time of the year, but what Andy Williams didn’t sing about was all the unwanted Christmas gifts, the amount of wrapping paper, the discarded Christmas treed and the tons of food that we throw out collectively.

Presents

Having a green Christmas might not be your top priority but with things being slower this year perhaps it´s a good year to start changing some habits. One obvious area in which we can win is gift giving. We often think that we are showing our love by buying more. We are trying to outgive each other with beautiful presents (which the receiving party does not always want or even keep).

Although traveling and doing fun stuff is a bit of a challenge now, you can give an experience. Give a dinner to your friend, a day at the spa with your lover or a fun day at a park to your kid. By giving an experience you give someone a memory that will last, and you can even do it together so you won’t only be giving an experience, you will also be giving them your time. And what gift is more valuable than time?

Another option is to give to a charity instead. We often don’t really need an extra pair of jeans, or another tie and many non-profit organizations are struggling at the moment because of the pandemic. There are various gifting ideas that NGO´s created. For example, at Greenpeace Netherlands (and probably also other branches) you can buy NOTHING. You buy NOTHING, give NOTHING and Greenpeace gets something. :) Or at OXFAM you can give “Gifts that do good”, ranging from clean drinking water to a goat.

If you do opt to buy a present, give something that truly has meaning and that has been made with love. Think of a local artisan who makes pottery, or a toy that has been handmade with wood. These gifts are more expensive, but they are more sustainable and will last a whole lot longer than cheaper presents that have been shipped here from the other side of the world. Or buy something that will last, like a plant, or give a sustainable present, such as a stainless steel water bottle, a reusable coffee cup or some bees wrap.

And then wrap it in a piece of fabric that can be reused by the receiver. A tradition in Japan known as Furoshiki (where these wrapping cloths are also used as bags). You can use a traditional Furoshiki cloth, which often have an elegant, decorative design, or choose a fabric of your own choice, for example one with a Christmas design. If you like a more minimalistic look you can opt for a linen cloth and decorate it with natural pieces, such as pine cones or leaves. Or use an old shoe box and decorate it- also makes for a fun activity to do together with your kids!

Food

Another change we can make is in where we shop for our food (and how much). Go to a local fruit vendor, a local fish shop, instead of to the big supermarkets. Some people were already heading in that direction, but lockdowns in numerous countries have pushed many to source their groceries locally. Another pro of buying locally is that it most likely involves a lot less plastic packaging than bought at a supermarket. Make sure you buy and prepare the right amount of food, so you won’t have to throw anything away. If you do have leftovers (most likely), throw them in the freezer or have e post-Christmas leftover day.

It’s also important to think about what we buy. A plant-based meal has a lower carbon footprint than one with meat and dairy. Try to choose more vegetarian dishes and cut back on meat (and if you do buy meat, buy organic meat).

For some (including myself) a Christmas dinner (or lunch) is not complete without a beautiful glass of wine. Opt for local and organic, which also helps give you less of a hang-over. This year you will likely not have a lot of guests, but if you do, don’t serve your drinks in plastic cups. Get reusable ones if you don’t want to deal with the risk of having glass all over the place.

Christmas tree

There is always the discussion about which option is more sustainable and eco-friendly, a fake Christmas tree or a real one. I have covered this topic here, and the outcome is that a real one is more eco-friendly, primarily because it it biodegradable. But a better option to buying a real tree is renting one. More and more organizations and companies are offering this option. Makes it easier for you as well once you don’t need it anymore!

Christmas decoration

Lots of decoration is nowadays made out of plastic. Yes, it will last a couple of seasons (I hope), but there are so many wonderful alternatives out there. Choose wooden decorations, or go to the forest and scavenge for leaves and twigs and pine cones and make your own natural Christmas wreath. Need some more inspiration? Check this website with some great and simple ideas. As for the lights, make sure your Christmas lights are LED ones. They use an average of 75 per cent less energy and can last up to 25 times longer.

A fun Christmas tradition are Christmas crackers, but these are single-use items. A sustainable alternative is to invest in reusable crackers. Get some cloth crackers with a tube inside so that you can fill them with your own treats.

Advent calendar

Advent calendars are so exciting for children, and many adults, in the buildup to Christmas. Going green doesn’t mean get rid of it, but choose wisely. Buy one that you can use over the years and fill it up wit your own gifts or sweets. It is so much fun to prepare it yourself and see the excitement on the face of the one opening the door for that day.

Christmas cards

A quick and easy alternative to sending paper cards is sending electronic cards. They come in so many varieties, with or without video, personalized with your own photos etc. that you will always find one that suits you.

Christmas sweaters

Most of the ugly Christmas sweaters are made out of synthetic materials, such as polyester and acrylic. Don’t buy a new one every year, but rewear yours, swap with friends or get a second hand one.

Glitter

Glitter gives that extra festive sparkle, but glitter is made out of plastic (read more about glitters here). Very small pieces of plastic. That are washed away or vacuumed and most likely end up somewhere in the environment. Don’t buy that glittery card, the candles with the glitters (you will actually burn the glitters, not so healthy), the wrapping paper with glitters, the gift bags with glitters (although we ditched the wrapping paper and gift bags altogether earlier in this piece), the Christmas decorations with glitter (I know it’s not that easy). Try to go 100% glitter-free this year. And if you don’t get to 100%, try to go 80% glitter-free. As long as you try to limit your use of glitters. If you really can’t live without glitters, there are some plastic-free glitter brands out there, such as BioGlitz and Eco Glitter Fun.

This Christmas will be different for everyone, whether you will be spending the holidays alone or with (some) friends and family. Let’s make sure we make it different in a positive way, by changing our habits bit by bit and go back to what Christmas really is about: spending time together (via Zoom maybe) and making memories. Merry Christmas!

🎄 Looking for more sustainable Christmas tips? Check Redfin´s blog post with suggestions from different sustainability influencers, including My Green Goodiebag. :) 🎄