Christmas is time a time for consumption – no argument there. Let’s consider it for a moment: there are the gifts (and their wrapping), the travel, the food, and all those holiday essentials like Christmas trees. It can be tough to skip most of these, especially if you’re a passionate follower of the holiday. At times, it may seem like there’s not much you can do. You may even think, Christmas equals Consumption!
But that doesn’t have to mean the holiday can’t work toward being more sustainable and thoughtful.
Let’s break down that same list:
- Instead of traditional gifts, try to switch a few out with handmade or repurposed gifts.
- Ditch the wrapping paper altogether or use something more sustainable, whether it is recycled paper, reused paper bags, or a reusable gift bag.
- When it comes to travel, be sure to do so lightly. Try to avoid spending too much time in the air, and if you need to rent a car, why not go with an electric or hybrid?
- Where it’s possible, switch out energy intensive foods like meat and go for homegrown or locally sourced produce. This meas less travel, fewer emissions, and a more sustainable dinner plate.
- Finally, don’t feel like a Charlie Brown Christmas is a bad one. Go for a smaller tree and (if you’re like my family) reuse those decorations each year. There’s not need to constantly buy new lights, ornaments, and tree skirts, right?
Those are just some strategies you can apply when considering the holidays, but we’d like to know – How are you working to make this season sustainable?
December 9, 2011 at 3:51 pm
This year my family and I are continuing with the tradition of pulling a name out of a hat. This means everyone receives one carefully thought out homemade gift, and everyone gets to show off one or a few of their talented hobbies.
My sister is great at baking and cooking, while my brother makes perfect c.d.s for the receiver as well as his own secrete batch of homemade Kalua. Our mom puts together photo books on line and has them ordered and ready to share for Christmas morning. Our Dad loves to spoil us all with a family vacation to a warm destination.
I try to do more festive family activities and crafts for my kids while leaving the spoiling to my parents (the grandparents). As for my homemade gift, I enjoy working with my hands and getting creative. I have been working on a painting for my mom. I don’t think I’ll have it done in time for christmas, and so what if that’s the case. If she receives my gift in an unexpected moment all the better. It will surprise her and mean that much more coming from me as a “just because I love you gift” rather then a “here’s your christmas gift”.
December 9, 2011 at 8:18 pm
Anyone getting a Christmas present from me is probably getting some homemade preserves made with fruits, veggies or shrooms that either came from my garden, foraging, or my CSA share
December 9, 2011 at 8:28 pm
Three years ago I made cloth shopping bags for everyone in my family out of leftover costume material. Last year I made cloth gift bags out of thrift store buys- curtains, pillow cases, draperies, etc. This year I’m making every day cloth napkins out of similar thrift store items. I love it, because it’s a double re-use whammy. Reusing something to make something reusable., Doesn’t get much better than that!
December 18, 2011 at 8:53 am
It starts and continues with us. This one is simple.
Re-evaluate EVERYTHING you do, buy, eat, support, and, yes, the way you think.
December 20, 2011 at 7:00 am
All I want for Christmas is a Future. I’m dedicated to helping others live more sustainably and reap the benefits. When we look at ways we’d like to change the world, and the absurd waste that defines Christmas, it turns out that the 99% could afford a better world for ourselves even without convincing the 1%. This year I wrote a new holiday carol about it with some statistics to back it up; the music video is here: http://www.yourgreenfeat.com/Green_Feat/Christmas.html Please share!
December 20, 2011 at 7:30 am
This year we’ve opted to just get the whole family together at once instead of traveling to several family events throughout the holidays. We will also be getting together instead of just mailing cards and gifts across the country. This required uniting several family units, people who haven’t spoken in years, and people who haven’t even met each other yet. We chose to avoid purchased gifts for adults, and advised each family member to get no more than one gift for each child in the family. We’re hoping to start a new tradition of unity in our extended family.
January 17, 2012 at 8:17 am
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May 5, 2013 at 10:02 pm
There are many things which family members can do outdoors which are fun and which can involve everyone. Something which adults and children can enjoy might be racquet type sports. This can include tennis or badminton. If there are four family members who enjoy these sports, you can have a great doubles match. It’s fun and great exercise.”-
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