Christmas is right around the corner, and the time to be jolly is upon us. While you can feel the Christmas spirit in the air, we cannot neglect the other scent— pollution—floating in the air. The repercussions of our previous actions are now more visible than ever, causing severe air pollution and a series of other problems. Fortunately, if we unite, we can contribute to a healthier environment. So why not start with Christmas? Today, we have a few tips on how to have an eco-friendly Christmas to improve the health of our planet.
Don’t overshop
Are you already swamped with lists of gifts you need to buy for each family member? If you’ve been giving everyone a bunch of presents every Christmas, this is the perfect time to stop. Supermarket chains, toy stores and beauty stores are experts in luring you to buy another gift set or invest in a bundle of gifts you can pass on to family members. But have you ever thought if they need those presents? Or will they throw them away and have them end up in the landfill? Instead of splurging on unnecessary gifts, ask your loved ones for one present they want or need. Not only will you save money but help the planet too.
Look for local markets and hand-crafted presents
Did you know that transporting products across the world is one of the biggest pollutants? However, you can contribute to a decrease in demand for foreign products by shopping locally. Have you ever bought a souvenir at a Christmas market? Why shop for souvenirs alone when you can get wonderful Christmas presents from local producers and crafters? Not only will you contribute to the environment, but also make local entrepreneurs thrive. You didn’t find anything you like at the market? Why not make presents from scratch? DIY projects will be more valuable for any family member as they will show you made more effort to make them and put all your love and thought into them.
Sustainable and educational toys for the kids
No matter how exciting shopping for presents can be, it’s also very frustrating year after year. Sometimes you feel like you’ve exhausted all the ideas, and that’s when you’re in a pickle. However, if you look for wooden educational toys, you will make your child’s year more entertaining and enlightening at the same time. If you invest in woody toys, you’ll contribute to the environment and make a triple win. Have you ever made toys for kids? Do you have a knack for carpentry or sewing? Make toys from scratch if you follow an online tutorial and offer your kids unique toys they’ll love.
Use LED Christmas lighting
LED holiday lights are the best energy savers during the Christmas season. Unlike standard CFL lights, LED ones use up to 95% less energy. On top of that, they last up to 100,000 hours if you use them inside the house. LED holiday lights use 100 times less than traditional holiday bulbs and ten times less energy than mini bulbs. Another bonus is that if one LED light burns out, the rest will continue lighting up. Even though LED lights save energy, you should still avoid leaving the outdoor or indoor lights on throughout the night. Considering during winter it gets dark sooner than during summer, you will have enough time to flaunt the lights outside and enjoy them indoors. There’s no need to waste energy when everybody’s asleep.
Buy a live tree
Have you been one of those people who stopped buying live Christmas trees and went for plastic alternatives? While that seems like a better option, plastic trees eventually end up in a landfill polluting the environment. Even though they are reusable, they are not as sustainable as real trees are. When you add the PVC they’re made of to the cost and effort of manufacturing and shipping, it comes down to artificial trees being bad for the environment. That’s why you should switch to buying live trees because they are a renewable resource. They are replanted regularly, and you can even plant one in your home to make it last for years without polluting the environment. Invest in a small tree that comes in a large pot, so you can use them for up to three years without having to repot the tree. Once the tree is too big to use as a Christmas tree, replant it in the garden.
Christmas is by far the most festive season and is considered to be a jolly season of giving. So, why not give back to your planet and start a tradition of an eco-friendly Christmas? With the tips mentioned, you can start your tradition and add another step each year to contribute to the preservation of the environment in the best way you can.
