Hey earth muffins! As the winter chill sets in, there’s nothing quite like a warm mug of hot chocolate to add a touch of indulgence to the season. To make your hot cocoa experience more eco-friendly, you can source your hot chocolate toppings from the bulk bins! In this blog post, we’ll guide you through the best hot chocolate toppings to buy in bulk, ensuring that you’re well-stocked for cozy moments.
Read More ➥Tag: christmas
bookmark_borderHow to (Politely) Avoid Getting Non-Eco Gifts for Christmas
Hey earth muffins! As the holiday season approaches, many of us look forward to the joy of giving and receiving gifts. However, for those committed to an eco-friendly lifestyle, receiving non-sustainable presents can be a challenge. You want to be polite and grateful to someone for taking the time (and spending the money) to get you the item… But, you want to make sure you actually can use and appreciate the gift! In this blog post, we’ll explore proactive strategies to guide your loved ones toward choosing environmentally conscious gifts; they are a great way to avoid getting non-eco gifts for Christmas!
Read More ➥bookmark_borderAre Christmas Lights Sustainable? And More Eco-Friendly Options
Hey earth muffins! The festive season is here! It often involves the dazzling glow of Christmas lights adorning homes and streets. While these lights bring joy and warmth during some bitter cold months, it’s essential to examine their environmental impact. In this blog post, we’ll answer the question, “Are Christmas Lights Sustainable?” and explore alternative options to decorate for the holidays this year.
Read More ➥bookmark_borderThe BEST Eco-Friendly White Elephant Gifts
Hey earth muffins! Christmas is just around the corner; I don’t know about you but my schedule has been packed with holiday events and office parties. Many of these include bringing some sort of gift to exchange. There are plenty of options for fun (and useful) zero waste white elephant gifts…. Keep reading for a full list of the best eco-friendly presents to bring to your next office party!
Eco-Friendly White Elephants Gift Guide:
1. First up – mason jar soup, dessert, or hot chocolate mix. Ever feel like you (maybe) have too many mason jars? This is the perfect way to pass on a jar AND delectable treat. Don’t forget to include the recipe too!
Read More ➥bookmark_borderHow to Tie Furoshiki Wraps (An Alternative to Wrapping Paper!)
Hey earth muffins! Christmas is just around the corner and holiday shopping has begun. 🎄 Instead of using disposable wrapping paper to wrap your gifts, I highly suggest trying out furoshiki wraps instead. These are a great reusable alternative and are much better for the environment. Let’s jump into a guide on what these wraps are AND how to wrap presents with them.
So, What Are Furoshiki Wraps?
Furoshiki wraps are pieces of fabric that are used to wrap gifts. While you can buy specific furoshiki wraps, there are plenty of things you can use that are already around your house. Old fabric scraps, bandanas, scarves, etc. Get creative and use what you already have before buying any furoshiki wraps this Christmas. Using these wraps are obviously better for the planet because they can be reused every year and don’t require the usage of any new resources to produce.
Read More ➥bookmark_borderAre Real or Fake Christmas Trees Better for the Environment?
Hey earth muffins! Let’s be honest, Christmas just wouldn’t be the same without a decorated tree. For those trying to live more sustainable lifestyles and have a zero waste Christmas, you might question if real or fake Christmas trees are better for the planet. The short answer: it really depend. There are pros and cons to both types, so keep reading to learn about the best options for each type of tree!
The Pros and Cons of Real Christmas Trees
Read More ➥bookmark_borderHow to Find the Best Secondhand Ugly Christmas Sweaters
Hey earth muffins! My Christmas spirit has come early this year… Not sure why, but I’m so ready for the holidays! 😊 There are often a bunch of holiday events to attend in December; many of them have an “ugly sweater” theme. Don’t buy your ugly sweater at the store just yet… You can find plenty of them secondhand! Here are my tips for finding the best secondhand ugly Christmas sweaters this year:
~Start looking early!
The earlier you start scouring thrift stores for “ugly” holiday sweaters, the better your chances are for finding the best ones. If you haven’t started your hunt already, I suggest you get started ASAP. The best idea is to look for them consistently throughout the year too. I’ve even seen a ton of them over the summer months when they aren’t as highly coveted.
Read More ➥bookmark_borderHow to Celebrate a Zero Waste Christmas
Hey earth muffins, happy Christmas Eve to all those who celebrate! 🎄 With Christmas less than a day away, I wanted to share this post to remind you all that the holidays can be sustainable! Especially this year, celebrations will be different. So, take that opportunity to reduce your impact on the planet too! I am lucky that my family (and my own household) has been staying safe in our respective bubbles. This allowed me to still go home for Christmas this year which I am extremely grateful for. Here are some of my top suggestions on how you can celebrate a zero waste Christmas this year! 😊
Wrap your gifts in reusables.
You might have seen this picture on my Instagram, but I thought it was worth mentioning in a post too. Instead of using wrapping paper, use fabric wraps! I bought these at Lush and plan on using them every year for the same family member. However, an even better zero waste solution is to use fabrics you already have around the house. Or, hit up your local thrift shop as I always see some pretty adorable printed fabric at mine. Just thinking about all of the single use wrapping paper trash that is created on Christmas makes my head spin; reusables are always a better option! 🎁
Donate to your local community.
Many people won’t be able to celebrate Christmas with their families this year. Instead of large gatherings with lots of food, there might be a small dinner or even dinner for one. If you were supposed to host a large amount of people, donate the food you would have bought to families in need in your community. The pandemic hit everyone – share what you can in the giving season! If you aren’t sure how to donate food, then write a check instead. Most organizations allow you to donate online, which is a great contactless way to give.
Use actual dishes, silverware, and cloth napkins for Christmas dinner!
Like I mentioned in my Thanksgiving post this year, it is so much better for the planet to use reusables at the dinner table. Even if the number of guests only includes your household members, you can still make the dinner nice! I personally will be folding napkins into Christmas trees for our fancy dinner. It is actually super easy to do, and looks adorable! On top of the reusables, think about reducing the meats at your feast. Even if you just swap the meat in one dish for a protein replacement, you will have a better impact on Mother Earth already!
Attend virtual church celebrations.
I used to go to church every week before the pandemic hit. While the churches in my area are actually open (with limited capacity of course), I don’t feel the need to go and spread germs. Watching church livestreams or on YouTube is a great alternative. You can still dress up like you were actually going but then can enjoy the festivities from the comfort of your home. The true meaning of Christmas is important to remember, especially during this challenging time for many.
Make a plan for all those cookies and treats.
I know my family always goes a little nuts when it comes to baking this time of year… But a zero waste Christmas requires you to have a good plan to reduce your food waste. I’ve written a whole post about how you can avoid throwing away excess food; definitely check it out for some ideas like sharing with your neighbors or even freezing leftovers!
Relax with your loved ones!
Christmas is a time to unwind and chill for a whole day. Who says you even have to change out of your pajamas? Spend some quality time with your family playing board games, drinking low waste hot cocoa, playing outside, or watching your favorite Christmas movies. My family always watches A Christmas Story each year, which is a great tradition that I look forward to. What will you be doing this year to celebrate the holiday?
Love,
Jenna ♥