Sustainability: Tips for an environmentally friendly Christmas

sustainability
Tips for an environmentally friendly Christmas

Old newspapers are replacing environmentally harmful wrapping paper.

Old newspapers are replacing environmentally harmful wrapping paper.

© Sonia Bonet / Shutterstock.com

You can also pay attention to the environment and sustainability at Christmas. These seven tips will help reduce the festival's ecological footprint.

At Christmas time, topics such as the environment and sustainability tend to take a back seat. Mountains of packaging waste arise, and climate protection and fair production do not always play an important role when it comes to food. These tips ensure a peaceful and sustainable Christmas.

Make gifts yourself

Homemade gifts are especially fun. For example, homemade cookies look wonderful under the Christmas tree. You can also put together your own baking mixes in a glass jar. Especially skilled hands can grab knitting or crocheted items and give loved ones some warmth. This also gives the gift a personal touch.

Shop sustainably

Since most of them have to get hold of their Christmas gifts online this year, you should at least pay attention to sustainable shops and products. Many companies now value environmentally friendly packaging material or fairly manufactured clothing.

Be economical with wrapping paper

Wrapping paper creates a lot of garbage every year at Christmas time. Presents are torn open, the paper disposed of immediately, colorful plastic ribbons fly around in between. Those who carefully unwrap their gifts can use the packaging again and again. There are now many packaging materials made from recycled paper. Alternatively, colored pages from old newspapers can be used.

Timer to save electricity

Fairy lights create a cozy atmosphere, but they also consume a lot of electricity. Energy-saving LED garlands are the better alternative. In addition, luminous stars, Christmas trees and the like do not have to shine in bright light day and night. A timer helps.

No candles made from petroleum

Conventional candles usually consist of paraffins and petroleum – not a particularly environmentally friendly combination. But they don't have to be missing. Candles made of carnauba, rapeseed or beeswax look just as good on the Christmas-set dining table. The eco candles can be bought in the drugstore or online.

Cookies with fair ingredients

Sugar, flour, nuts and the like are important ingredients when baking cookies. They are also available in ecological versions, such as organic cane sugar, honey or wholemeal flour. What is special: the products not only benefit the environment indirectly, they are also much healthier.

Christmas menu without meat

If you don't want to do without meat in the classic Christmas menu, you should at least rely on regional organic meat from the butcher you trust. But vegetarian dishes also conjure up a delicious holiday meal. Salads and soups made from lots of vegetables are ideal starters. Spicy aubergines from the oven or pointed cabbage leaves stuffed with mushrooms can serve as meat substitutes in the main course.

SpotOnNews