Christmas will be here before we know it, as it is coming faster than Santa on his sleigh ride on Christmas Eve! At this point, you are probably thinking about doing everything you can to prepare in advance. You will be making your Christmas list, thinking about food shopping, and considering which charities to gift to. You will also be making sure your home is nice and warm too, sealing up gaps in your home and arranging maintenance for your air conditioning. There will be much for you to do, and if you’re eco-conscious, you will want to ensure you’re caring for the environment in the process. So, with this in mind, here are some tips for those of you dreaming of a greener Christmas!
Have a homemade Christmas
Not only will you save money when you make the things you need but you will do your part for the environment too. You will cut down on plastic waste and have the opportunity to make sustainable choices with the materials you buy. As a suggustion, you can make your own Christmas decorations, for example, such as these adorable plastic-free Christmas crackers. You could also make your own gifts, using anything that is kind to the environment, such as organic foods for edible gifts.
Cut down on your food shopping
Many people go crazy with their food shopping at this time of year, and they often buy much more than they need. The upshot of this? A lot of waste food, which, once thrown into the trash and onto local landills, can release methane gases and cause problems for the environment. So, only buy what you think you need, as you will save money this way and protect the world around you. If you do happen to have excess food, take a cue from our article on celebrating a zero-waste Christmas, and donate it to a good cause. Alternatively, freeze anything you don’t use and eat it later.
Give battery-free gifts
If you’re making your own gifts, you probably won’t need to include batteries anyway. But if you are going to buy something, try to choose something that is battery-free. You could buy board games, books, ornaments or eco-friendly subscription boxes, as examples. These are all safer alternatives, as batteries are an environmental hazard, especially those that aren’t able to be recharged. Please note: rechargeable batteries are also a hazard when discarded, so always dispose of them via your local recycling facility!
Choose a real Christmas tree
Plastic Christmas trees are popular because they don’t drop needles; but, they aren’t very good for the environment when discarded. Of course, if you do buy a plastic tree, you can reuse it the following year, so it doesn’t have to be thrown away. However, real Christmas trees are the better option, especially when buying from sustainable farms. They look and smell a lot nicer and you can replant them after Christmas and continue using them in the years that follow!
Love,
Jenna ♥
These are wonderful suggestions! I am already starting to think about the holiday season, so these are definitely well timed. I want to avoid over-buying food this year for sure. I don’t want to waste anything or overeat just because of the time of year!
Good ideas – it’s always good to be reminded to be eco friendly during the holidays.