Happy Eco Holidays!

The Holiday festivities are a time of joy and happy gatherings, but in this avalanche of merriment it’s easy to forget the impact that our actions can have on the planet. 

Unfortunately, much of what it’s used during this time of the year contains plastic, comes from non-sustainable sources, or carries a huge carbon footprint. What to do? 

The idea is not to be a Grinch and cancel Christmas, but to remain eco-friendly by taking small but effective measures to have some joyful celebrations with the least environmental impact.

Here are some useful ideas for a happy and eco-conscious Holiday season!

Decorations

Many holiday decorations are made of plastic or come from non-regulated industries in distant countries (which means they carry a huge carbon footprint). However, there’s lots of alternatives to decorate your spaces with eco-friendly resources that will have as much -or even more- visual appeal. 

If you are good at handicrafts, you can make your own decorations with fabric and yarn. Fabric decorations add a touch of playfulness, and you can find a variety of patterns and projects for every taste and budget on Pinterest, Etsy, or online magazines. 

And what can be more Christmas-y than a line of socks filled with goodies? Creating them on your own will add a personal touch to your home, and they are so simple to make that even children can join in their creation.

You can also use a mixture of plants and fruits of the season to create gorgeous tabletops, and these latter may serve a double purpose at parties and reunions. 

In the case of plants -such as poinsettias-, make sure to put them away from pets, since they are poisonous to them, and try to keep them all year round so you can have them again for next Christmas.

For those who need the scent of pine during Christmas time, decorate with wreaths and garlands made from fallen branches or from a certified sustainable source.

You can also invest in natural pine-scented candles for the same effect. 

Candles are a great form of adding a Christmas touch to your home, bearing in mind that soy and beeswax candles are more eco-friendly than regular paraffin versions. Learn more about them in our ‘Illuminations’ section.

Ornaments

Tree ornaments come in every variety imaginable: from the traditional popcorn garlands to fancy porcelain and crystal ornaments. This is the chance to let fly your imagination and stay away from plastics (contained in foil garlands, and most commercial ornaments). 

For instance, in Victorian times, Christmas trees were usually decorated with tiny tapers, ribbons, and candied fruits for children. In Scandinavian countries straw and wood ornaments are traditional, and some have even added crocheted ornaments to the varied list of options.

If you have handicraft ability, you can create your own ornaments from straw, fabric, paper, or wood. 

These ornaments can also be found online, and in some retail stores, but if you buy them make sure they come from sustainable sources and that their carbon footprint remains low.

You can even bake Christmas cookies and hang them on your tree. If you have children, you can make this a fun cookie decoration event for the whole family.

If you intend to reuse your ornaments, prefer materials that will stand the test of time, such as tin, brass, wood, porcelain, or crystal. 

You can also start the tradition of exchanging Christmas ornaments with friends and relatives and dress your tree with your heirlooms and their attached memories year after year.

Illuminations

What would be the Holidays without the glow of illuminations? Nothing says “Holidays” more eloquently than a Christmas tree aglow, or a room bathed in Christmas lights.

Fortunately, nowadays most of the commercial Christmas lights available are LED, which use up to 80% less energy than the old incandescent bulbs. 

However, do not take this as a permission to go crazy with lights! A subtle illumination can create a more magical and inviting atmosphere than a boastful excess, and not only the planet will thank you, but your energy bill will also be smaller. 

If you wish to try an even more eco-friendly alternative, try a mix of LED lights and candles. 

Candles are not only traditionally associated with the Holidays, but they also provide a special atmosphere to any room.

 

Candles made from soy and beeswax sources are more sustainable than the regular paraffin types, and they can also be decorative. Scented candles -in aromas such as pine, pumpkin pie, eggnog, cinnamon, etc.- will add an instant dose of Christmas spirit, and may help to create a subtle Holiday mood.

Finally, remember to switch off your illuminations when you go to bed, in order to lower your energy consumption and to create a cozy holiday touch.

Heating

If you live in the northern hemisphere, heating is a necessity during the winter months.

One of the main reasons why the heating costs spike during this season is due to old or faulty heaters. This is not only a blow for your pocket, but also for the planet since a faulty or inefficient heating system requires extra energy to produce the same amount of heat, and degrees of it may be wasted before it is distributed.

Make sure your heating system is clean, up to date and in good condition for an optimal service.

Did you know that lowering the thermostat by up to 10 degrees can help you save up to 10% annually on heating? Turn down the thermostat when you’re not at home and try sleeping with a temperature set at around 63F (17 C) or lower. 

Also, try to keep the thermostat to a fixed temperature, since changing it constantly will also increase your energy consumption.

Keep closed the doors of the rooms you’re not using so as to prevent the heat from leaking out, and make sure that all windows shut tight, and that all doors lock properly, so as to avoid drafts. 

Other ideas to be more sustainable on your heating are: 

-Lower the degrees of your water heater. If you can’t, try to take shorter showers. 

-If possible, allow the sun to enter your home during the day, and shut the curtains as soon as it goes down in order to retain the heat. Thicker curtains provide the best insulation. 

The Tree

It’s the undisputed King of Christmas, and yet every year it’s the same debate: should it be natural or artificial? 

Although the Christmas Tree industry has tried to reduce their environmental impact -some claim that they are more sustainable than plastic trees-, the truth is that their ecological impact remains huge on every level.

Sadly, the plastic version is not much eco-friendly either, but by being used for years, its carbon footprint is smaller in the long run. 

In this era of global warming and deforestation, we need every tree that we can keep alive. 

Let’s face it: we do not need a dead tree decaying in our living rooms, especially when there are so many other alternatives to decorate our homes. For instance:

-Get a metal ornament tree display. Gorgeously crafted, these are designed to sit on a mantelpiece or be used as a center table, and it’s an elegant way to decorate and display your ornaments.

-Create your own tree with materials that you may have at hand: paper, cardboard, bottles, books, pillows - the sky is the limit!

-If you decide to buy a plastic tree, consider buying a used one. This way you will be extending its lifetime instead of acquiring new plastic.

-Use a potted plant - it doesn’t even need to be a fir or spruce. In one office I worked in, we had a ‘designated tree’ which was a plant that we dutifully decorated every first of December, and then un-decorated before we left for the holidays. It was gorgeous to see it growing with every passing year!

It’s absolutely false that not having a natural Christmas tree will traumatize children. Instead, it’s a great opportunity to educate the youngest in the need to conserve and protect trees and forests, and not use them as disposable artifacts. 

Gift Wrapping

Wrapping presents in paper is almost a tradition, but one that with the vast amounts of plastic included, coated or non-recyclable papers available, and the liberal use of cell-o-tape, is not the most eco-friendly. 

Prefer paper bags and cardboard boxes over regular gift-wrap, since this may contain plastic. 

Always make sure that their materials are recyclable. Not all paper or cardboard is - for instance, coated paper is not recyclable, and you may not notice the difference from regular printed paper. If they are made of sustainable sources or from recycled material, all the better!

If possible, try to skip the cell-o-tape and use ribbons or string to tie your presents instead.

An original way of wrapping gifts is using fabric. The Japanese have been using it for centuries (Furoshiki). In this kind of gift-wrap, the fabric wrapping not only is reusable and adds a touch of elegance, but it can be a present in itself.

If fancy fabric wrapping is not your thing, you can also use fabric gift bags, which come in lots of different sizes, are washable, and can be reused.  

In addition, instead of the usual plastic ribbon bows use reusable fabric ribbons, wool pompoms, or a bundle of spices and herbs (which can double as a present and will add a distinguished touch to any present!).

Presents

The Holidays are the perfect time for meaningful giving - to our friends and family, but also to our community and the planet. 

And yet, our shopping choices often make this is the most unsustainable activity of the Holidays. Here’s a few ideas to change that trend: 

-Buy local instead of global shipping alternatives such as Amazon, Alibaba, etc. Your business will help support your local shop owners and you will be also helping the planet by reducing your carbon footprint.

-When buying greeting cards, look for those made from recycled, or come from sustainable sources. Some are even printed in soy ink, of lesser environmental impact than regular inks.  

-When buying electrical items, make sure they are Energy Star certified for an efficient energy consumption.

Look for these seals in the items you buy!

-Avoid items with excess of packaging, such as tiny products contained in non-recyclable boxes, with plastic holders, and packed in cellophane (cosmetics are usually the main offenders in this category, seconded by tech gadgets). In addition, do not over-pack your presents either.

-Create your own presents. Once upon a time, the funky sweater knitted by granny was something to laugh at, but nowadays they are so trendy that they even have a special day!

Of course, you may be a superb knitter, but even if you are not handicraft-inclined, you may still come up with great self-made presents. For instance: a collection of family photographs remembering special moments, a compilation of music, a poem or a song, a special dish, cake, or confection...Use your creativity! 

Making a self-made present is not only original and out-of-the-box, but it denotes a special care and dedication from the gift-giver.  

-Gift plants. There are so many varieties of plants that there’s almost one for every personality type: the plant-lover, the plant-killer and everyone in between. Learn the preferences of your receiver in advance and include in your present a little list of instructions for its care. 

-Gift experiences. Who says that all presents need to come in a box? A day in a Spa, massage sessions, yoga or Pilates classes, a special visit or activity (Bungee jumping! Parachuting classes!), a trip, etc. which will not only create memories, but they do not require wrapping or shipping.

-If you wish to make a present that gives back to mother nature, buy your presents from organizations that support ecological efforts, such as the WWF, Greenpeace, the Wildlife Trust, the Woodland Trust, etc., or find a local organization that you wish to endorse. 

-You can also buy gift certificates to adopt an endangered animal, plant a tree, or protect an area of endangered land - every bit counts, and you will feel better by contributing.

-Sponsor a charity of your choice by donating items or buying from their shops. Also, consider volunteering - giving your time and selfless help is an invaluable way to make a contribution to those who need it the most. 

Food and Parties

A Bouche de Noel is as decorative as it is delicious!

The Holiday season is traditionally a time to celebrate with friends and family, but the season is also notorious for its excesses and its food waste. Here’s a few ideas to be eco-friendly at the table:

-Plan your menu and the food quantities that you will need mindfully so as to not waste food. If you do end up with a considerable surplus of scraps and you don’t want to use them, consider donating them to food banks, churches, or charities. 

-Buy local and seasonal produce. You will not only be helping your local economy, but also the planet by reducing your carbon footprint. 

-Try to use less sugar and dairy-based products in your recipes, and try replacing them with plant-based alternatives.

-Although turkey and other meats are the traditional Holiday fare, try to include more vegetables in the menu for a more carbon-neutral table. For those who do not care to depart from traditions, trying vegan options to the usual dishes is an alternative to the Holiday table.

-Be mindful of products containing palm-oil or that come from non-sustainable sources.

-When dressing your table, use fruits, plants, and good-looking dishes such as glazed fruits, decorated Christmas cookies, gingerbread houses, or the traditional Bouche de Noel.

-Use reusable plates, cups, and silverware. For parties and informal gatherings, avoid single-use plastics. You can use instead sustainable alternatives such as bamboo cutlery and plates.

-Recycle everything you can. At large parties, set recycling containers so that your guests may discard the items in the appropriate container. If possible, compost the organic residues of your meal preparations.

You don’t need exotic ingredients to make a memorable dining experience. In the end, it’s not the food you have on the table that counts, but the joy and warmth your share with those around you.

Final Ideas...

-Skip the disposable party favors. If you decide to use them buy those which are recyclable, contain no plastic, and come from a sustainable source.

-Avoid using glitter. For all its charm, glitter is one of the most pollutant Holiday items. If you still want to use it, try the plant-based alternative, ecoglitter.

-Avoid fireworks. In spite of their beauty, fireworks are extremely pollutant. A less polluting or noisy alternative are Bengal lights, or paper lanterns.

-If you can’t avoid traveling for these holidays, try using the least polluting alternative.

-Avoid all kinds of excesses -excess of food, excess of lights, excess of noise, excess of consumerism, etc. You will feel better, and the planet will appreciate it too.

The Holidays are a whirlwind of activities, emotions and memories. Being mindful about our impact on the planet during these celebrations will help us celebrate better tomorrows.

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