Sustainable Christmas
Seven tips for eco-friendly holidays
Every year, wrapping paper causes a particularly large amount of waste at Christmas time.
© Bogdan Sonyakhnyj/Shutterstock.com
You can also take care of the environment at Christmas. With these seven tips, the holidays will be more sustainable.
Mountains of packaging waste, consumer frenzy, high energy consumption due to festive lighting: these days, Christmas no longer has much to do with contemplation. This also harms the environment. At Christmas time, topics such as sustainability tend to take a back seat. With these tips, the holidays will be a little more sustainable.
Be economical with wrapping paper
Every year, wrapping paper causes a particularly large amount of waste at Christmas time. Presents are torn open, the paper disposed of immediately, colorful plastic bows flying around in between. If you unpack your gifts carefully, you can use the packaging over and over again. There are now many packaging materials made from recycled paper. Alternatively, pages from old newspapers can also be used.
Pay attention to sustainability and fair production
But it’s not just the packaging that counts: what’s inside, too. A gift flown in from the other side of the world has caused a lot of CO2. It is more ecological to buy locally and to pay attention to sustainable and fair production.
make your own gifts
It is even more ecological and personal to make gifts yourself. For example, homemade cookies are wonderful under the Christmas tree. You can also put together your own baking mixes in a glass jar. Particularly skilled hands can reach for knitting or crocheting and give loved ones some warmth. This also gives the gift a personal touch.
Timer to save electricity
Although fairy lights create a cozy atmosphere, 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 brightly day and night. A timer helps.
No petroleum candles
Conventional candles mostly 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 table. You can buy eco-friendly candles in drugstores or online.
Cookies with fair ingredients
Sugar, flour, nuts and co. are important ingredients when baking cookies. They are also available in ecological versions, such as organic cane sugar, honey or wholemeal flour. The special feature: The products not only indirectly benefit the environment, but are also much healthier.
Christmas menu without meat
For many, the roast is as much a part of the party as the Christmas tree. But it is already known that excessive meat consumption is harmful to the environment. A delicious holiday meal can also be conjured up from vegetarian dishes. Salads and soups with lots of vegetables or lentils are suitable as a starter. Spicy aubergines from the oven or a roast nut can serve as a main course. Anyone who does not want to do without meat in the classic Christmas menu should at least rely on regional meat from organic production and pay attention to environmental labels.