Do you want to have a wonderful Christmas while taking care of the planet? It’s entirely achievable and we’ll explain how to satisfy the eco-friendly Santa Claus in you.
Every year the pleasure of the end of year festivities is slightly bitter. Feeling guilty about this mountain of packaging waste and discarded food scraps, you wonder about the feasibility of doing otherwise. Is it not possible to celebrate differently, to enjoy the holidays in a more sustainable way, to offer greener gifts and offer a more eco-responsible meal? What if we told you that celebrating Christmas while respecting the environment was possible…
Tips to avoid waste
Before even thinking about gifts and meals, there are many aspects of the end-of-year celebrations that can be reviewed to drastically reduce waste. Decorations, Christmas tree, packaging, everything can be a source of reducing pollution to tend towards the most festive zero waste possible.
Offer eco-friendly gift boxes
The holiday season is often a time when finding gift ideas is not easy. Why not choose to offer an eco-responsible gift to your loved ones? A real, meaningful and totally ethical present will mark your gratitude and attention to the person to whom you will give it. Zero-waste artisanal objects, eco-friendly and natural care or even a sustainable gift and useful are always appreciated and are a real surprise. A box eco gift, an insulated bottle or even a “my zero waste essentials” kit will be a phenomenal success and you can be proud to have offered eco-friendly gifts that will last over time.
Offer sustainable and ethical toys
Many companies produce sublime sustainable, ethical and ecological, and particularly in France. Respectful of the environment, the materials used are also healthier for your loves. It is therefore not just a gift filled with love and meaning that you offer, but a real blessing for our planet. Furthermore, made of durable materials, these toys will last over time and will not end up in the trash after a week. Choose toys made of fabric, wood or even natural rubber. Visit local shops, they will be able to advise you on the best toys for your little hearts.
Make your own tree
There are many initiatives that lead to having a tree at home responsibly. Many companies allow you to return the tree after the holidays, rent a potted tree or even wrap your tree in a special bag and donate part of the money to charities; making your own tree is surely the most sustainable way to decorate your magical corner. More ecological than a natural tree and much more aesthetic than an artificial tree, the homemade tree has many advantages.
A homemade tree does not lose its thorns, is unique and will naturally match your interior and is completely reusable every year. This is the perfect workshop to keep children busy for many hours and to introduce them to zero waste and the importance of waste management. Floating tree, tree hung on the wall or recycled tree, there is no shortage of ideas for having this totally eco-friendly Christmas emblem.
Choosing eco-friendly gift packaging
Gift wrapping still represents a significant source of waste. To reduce this mass of single-use paper, which only lasts a moment, you have two solutions.
Opt for Kraft paper
Wrapping gifts in kraft paper allows them to be wrapped in 100% recycled and recyclable paper. Totally biodegradable and compostable, it does not contain any plastic fibers. In addition, it can be decorated as desired. You can take advantage of this to create a decoration workshop with your children, who will be very happy to prepare the wrapping paper for Santa Claus. Add jute twine to decorate and dried flowers for wrapping and your gift will take on a totally eco-responsible look.
Wrap presents with furoshiki
Furoshikis are fashionable and avoid any packaging waste. A real technique of folding fabrics to wrap everything elegantly, you can benefit from numerous video tutorials on the web. Using fabric to wrap will recycle old clothing that you can reuse by cutting it up properly. If you are lacking inspiration, check out these videos which will allow you to be more eco-responsible with your gift packaging.
A local and seasonal meal for the holidays
With a full belly, while thinking about the planet and without putting gustatory pleasure on the altar, is it possible? Certainly, all you need to do is look at winter foods, ideally produced not far from home. A true locavore meal will therefore come from your local market gardener. By promoting local commerce, we strongly limit the purchase of high-carbon foods, allowing us to reduce our carbon footprint. Local and seasonal products will also have significantly more flavor. Are you lacking inspiration to find the perfect dish for this special evening? The seasonal fruits and vegetables to favor are listed here in alphabetical order:
Seasonal vegetables in winter
Beet, chard, carrot, chicory, cabbage, celery, shallot, endive, spinach, lettuce, lamb’s lettuce, morel, onion, sorrel, leek, potato, crosne, radish and escarole. Enough to make excellent dishes full of taste! Pies, complex dishes, hot and cold, these vegetables can also serve as the perfect accompaniment to poultry!
Seasonal fruits in winter
Pineapple, avocado, banana, lemon, passion fruit, kiwi, tangerine, mango, walnuts, orange, pear and apple. These fruits will awaken the taste buds and make sublime desserts! Mousse, ice cream, tart, fruit salad with coulis, the options are numerous!
A totally sustainable Christmas
You will now be able to prepare for the holidays in an eco-responsible and zero waste way. No more wasteful celebrations, make way for respecting the environment at all times to offer better and above all in a more sustainable way. Your loved ones will be delighted to celebrate while knowing that it respects the planet and will thank you for your investment. It will surely be for them too a start of renewal towards a more eco-friendly and zero waste approach! So what are you going to give to your loved ones?