‘Tis the season to be jolly and eco-friendly! During the merry holidays, we should cherish and think of our loved ones, but we also must think of the environment. Amid the cheery celebrations with presents and food galore, we have a lot of waste.
On Christmas Day, people get single-use plastics, trendy clothing that will go out of style by next year, and electronic gadgets with non-recyclable materials. Landfills fill up with Christmas trees, plastic-wrapped Amazon packaging, and torn wrapping paper. Worst of all, every commercial advertises this rampant consumerism, urging us to keep buying.
Christmas, over the years, has turned more materialistic than joyful. It’s time we do our part to give back to the earth and each other. We should adopt some sustainable holiday habits. Here are some things you can do:
1. Use Old Newspapers and Paper Bags to Wrap Presents
Sure, festive wrapping paper is fun, but it gets ripped to shreds in seconds on Christmas morning. Then your dad shoves it into a garbage bag, and all the fun ends. Instead of spending the money on single-use wrapping paper that takes forever to decompose, wrap gifts with old newspapers and paper bags. You can also shred old newspapers and use them in gift bags. Your gifts look cute and save the environment.
2. Ditch Amazon Shopping
Where you buy your holiday gifts from has a big impact on the environment. Although Amazon ships quickly, this convenience comes with an environmental cost. Instead of shopping on Amazon, consider thrift shopping. Thrifting is a super fun, eco-friendly way to find gifts from clothing to accessories to books. And who doesn’t love the charm of vintage items?
If you don’t have thrift stores near you, you can find ethical online stores that sell second-hand or handmade items. Check out places like Thrifted, Depop, or Etsy. You can also support local businesses by purchasing from small retailers in your hometown. This brightens their holiday season and yours. (And don’t forget to bring your reusable tote bags when you shop!)
3. Give the Gift of Experience
A trip or event is perhaps the best present to receive on Christmas. It reduces materialism and raises the bar on holiday fun. A beach getaway, spa day, or trip to Disneyland are gifts that have everyone feeling merry and bright. In my opinion, buying an experience gift is the best investment you can make on a holiday purchase.
4. Recycle Your Christmas Tree
To save landfills, safely dispose of your natural Christmas tree so that it can decompose properly. Once you strip it of lights and decorations, don’t burn or throw away your tree. You have other options. Drop off your tree at a nearby compost station, find a curbside-pickup service to take it, chip the branches off to use as mulch, or place the tree in your yard as a bird habitat.
5. Handcraft Your Gifts and Decor
Who doesn’t love a little DIY? Crafting your own Christmas gifts and decor not only makes you cooler than everyone else, but it also makes you a certified earth-helper. Whether you decide to craft your own personalized cards, decor, or T-shirts, a customized gift will surely make your loved ones smile. You can also gift yourself a DIY Christmas wreath, garland, or ornament made with all-natural materials.
6. Do a Gift Swap
Aside from making your own gifts, you can also do a gift exchange with items you already have. Instead of buying new, repurpose the old. You can set specific rules for what to gift or make it a surprise at the exchange. Some people do cookie exchanges, recipe exchanges, or funny white elephant gift exchanges. These are all great, earth-friendly options that substitute for buying new merchandise.
7. Make a Farm-Fresh Holiday Feast
Purchasing locally sourced produce and meat is a great way to serve a sustainable, ethical feast that tastes delicious. Instead of buying from a mainstream grocery store, buy your fruits, veggies, and Christmas ham at a local farmstand or market. In this season of giving, this simple action builds community and the holiday spirit.
Whether you adopt one sustainable habit on this list or all seven, it matters most that you try. To have “peace on earth,” we need to care for it. Make this holiday season memorable, fun-filled, and earth-friendly.
Photo by freestocks on Unsplash
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