How to Have a “Green” Christmas?

How to Have a “Green” Christmas?

Christmas dates back to the original Roman holiday of Saturnia, hundreds of years before Jesus’s birth, and many of those traditions still hold fast to today’s holiday celebration. However, if you are dreaming of a green Christmas, here are some simple ideas to help you turn your dream into reality.

Sustainable Christmas gifts

Simplify the Gift Round

Simplify the Gift RoundLet’s start with a little history.

The tradition of giving gifts to children is associated with St. Nicholas, who became the prototype of Santa Claus. When the image of the saint was associated with Christmas, the customer of giving gifts to children arose and eventually ended up including adults.

For some Christian believers, Christmas represents the season of joy and love and so they would share the joy by giving away gifts to all those they love and care for. The gift-giving tradition of Christmas is popular worldwide because it is both fun and meaningful. A simple gift can unite you with a lost friend or family member and can help you remember to love, to be charitable and to be grateful for what you have. And, at some point, it would become a force or a habit and you’d even start giving gifts to all those around you. But, a long gift list also means you have to spend more and buy more, which will obviously have an impact on the environment.

Personally, I have nothing against even giving gifts away to random strangers –cause it’s Christmas – but if you want to reduce your contribution to the environmental impact of the holiday season, here’s an idea on how to simplify the gifting round.

  • Write the names of all those you want to give a gift to (excluding members of your family and close friends) on separate slips of paper and put all the slips in a hat.
  • Once you’ve decided how many people you want to give a gift to, remove the exact number of paper slips.

Your gift list has just been shortened and you can now focus on buying a special gift for the person whose name you’ve picked. And, if you and your family are in this together, take turns picking one name per person.

Make Your Own Gifts

Centuries ago, gift-giving during Christmas was a tradition. Today, we are giving presents to please our loved ones and express our love and gratitude; so, that means the gifts don’t have to be store-bought and can include more personal and unique gifts. Like DIY stuff!

Homemade gifts might cost less and might not be perfect, but they can mean more than expensive and shiny store-bought items. And, making your own Christmas gifts can also be a bit of a gift to yourself as, in the process, you’ll enjoy making creative stuff or learning new skills. So, check out these easy-peasy DIY Christmas gifts!

Buy More Locally Made Gifts

Buy More Locally Made GiftsEver since credit cards came into vogue, a lot of people have started buying imported goods like never before. It is important to remember that imported products come from halfway around the world and the impact of transportation is a key element in greenhouse emissions and global warming.

I get that you want to buy the latest Xbox console for your kid or a designer bag for your friend, but if you want to celebrate Christmas in a sustainable way, I suggest buying gifts from local shops and craft fairs.

Gifts From Recycled Sources

Nowadays, you’ll find many businesses creating products using recycled materials. And, buying from these sustainable businesses will help in promoting the concept of sustainability during Christmas.

Opt for “Re-Gifting”

Opt for “Re-Gifting”My mother told me that our ancestors used to keep a log of every wedding gift they received, including the date the gift was received and its description. This was done so that they could give away a gift of comparable value to another gift-giver.

Honestly, there’s nothing wrong or rude about re-gifting a gift as long as it is in good condition.

 

 

8 Ecological Gift Ideas for Christmas

The perfect Christmas gift: dream or reality? Giving a gift is not always easy. There is a risk that it will be left in a drawer and never used, causing waste, a waste of money, and resources. Are you short of ideas? We propose a list of ecological gifts for Christmas, suitable for everyone. Which one do you prefer?

 

#1. Reusable bottle in steel or glass

Most people buy water when they are away from home. It is not a healthy habit for the planet since plastic bottles are single-use, used only a few minutes, and then become waste. Also, many bottles are made of PET, a material that is not very safe at high temperatures or when water remains in contact with the container for a long time. The stainless-steel bottles are perfect for staying hydrated on the go. Depending on the model, they allow you to keep cold and heat for 24 hours. Besides, its greater diffusion has broadened the offer in the market, and there are many models and decorations for all tastes.

 

#2. Choose experiences

Do you want to make ecological gifts for Christmas? Choose experiences, not things! When you think of gifts, do you automatically think of an object? Wrong! A gift does not necessarily have to be an object. What do you think, for this Christmas, to surprise your loved ones by giving them some kind of experience? The type of activity will depend on the personality and taste of the people (and your budget), here are some ideas to enjoy together: from a field trip, a relaxing massage, a concert, a guided tour of your city, a surprise party with people who have not seen for a long time… it may be a more ecological option than something material.

 

#3. Organic food

Already the food market has authentic delicacies produced ecologically. Cheeses, wines, preserves, oil, beer… and if it is locally grown, better!

 

#4. Organic body care products and creams

Personal care product gift sets are nothing new. Instead of anonymous products, what do you think, choose ecological, natural, and specific products for any requirement? 

 

#5. Electric or bamboo toothbrush

Yes, they all have brushes, but do you know what happens with traditional plastic brushes? If each person changes their toothbrush regularly every three months, they will have used and thrown away around 360 brushes in their lifetime. Toothbrushes are non-recyclable waste. Instead, bamboo toothbrushes are biodegradable, while electric toothbrushes allow you to dispose of only the head using the same support for many years or even forever. A gift for the planet!

 

#6. DIY Gifts

If you are a creative person and are good at crafts, creating your own gift is optional. No matter what it is, just the fact of giving someone something made with your own hands, you are giving something extraordinary. You only need free time to dedicate to your creation and a good tutorial.

 

#7. Aromatherapy diffuser

By giving a diffuser for aromatherapy and natural essential oils, you give well-being, health, and harmony to your loved ones. It is a valid gift for almost any member of the family, and you can choose essential oils according to the needs of the person. Christmas is the ideal time to give these types of products, relax thoroughly during the holidays, and start the new year better.

 

#8. Handcrafted gifts

Depending on the person’s preferences, you can tailor the search to your liking and choose handmade gifts. Are you looking for a gift for wine lovers? You are looking for local options, at kilometer 0 and ecological; Surely, in your city, you can find artisans for whatever you are looking for: wines, sweets, jewelry, natural cosmetics, home decorations, clothing, musical instruments, etc…