How to behave and what choices to make for a sustainable Christmas?
With the holidays just around the corner and everywhere a riot of decorated shop windows and supermarkets full of all sorts of goodies, imagining a less consumerist Christmas seems impossible.
It’s actually simpler than we imagine and we’ll give you some tips.
1 – Choose the tree carefully
It is true, producing synthetic trees causes emissions that are harmful to the planet, however, the artificial tree can only be purchased once and can be used infinitely.
Alternatively, you can buy a real one, if you can then keep it in the garden or on the terrace, otherwise it will hardly survive for long. If we don’t have the right spaces, an artificial one is better.
An alternative, fun and creative idea could be to decorate plants already present in the house or create a tree with stencils.
2 – Christmas lights
For a few years now, cities and many businesses have begun to be festively decorated with lights of all kinds as early as mid-November: this purely commercial choice involves energy waste that could be avoided.
A return to ancient traditions, which envisaged the start of the Christmas season on 8 December, would be desirable, but at the moment it seems difficult to imagine being able to reverse the trend. Is there anything we can do to reduce waste?
Is it really inevitable to completely eliminate light decorations?
Not necessarily. It is sufficient to choose low-energy light bulbs and take small precautions when using them, such as remembering to turn them off when you go to sleep and not keeping them on all day except on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day!
3 – The gift boxes
You never think about it, but the gift box is an integral part of the gift itself and, if made with care, is certainly much appreciated.
No need for Christmas cards and ribbons or rosettes purchased for the occasion.
Using alternative materials or recycling something of ours to create the package can be a truly original and very welcome choice.
Anything goes: newspapers, scraps of fabric or previously used wrapping paper.
We can complete everything with a handwritten wish, directly on the package. Thus, not only will we have created a personalized package at zero cost and without waste, but our thinking will truly be done from the heart and with an eye on the environment.
4 – Watch your spending
At the basis of more sustainable holidays there is certainly intelligent spending.
First of all, it is important to buy seasonal and local products.
Then we should get used to preferring foods in bulk, without packaging and, above all, avoid exaggerating.
Let’s learn to pay attention to quality, rather than quantity. Buy less, but buy better!
5 – And after the dinner?
Nothing is thrown away!
If, as often happens, despite good intentions, we have bought and cooked too much, don’t panic: if our guests have really appreciated the menu, we can share what is left over with them. They will find lunch ready the next day!
Let’s think about the people next to us who perhaps don’t have anything to eat or weren’t able to celebrate Christmas. Sharing with them too is another way of experiencing Christmas!
Place excess food correctly in the refrigerator or freezer.
Recycle leftovers by creating fantastic anti-waste dishes.
The Museum of Saving organizes many activities throughout the year on the theme of sustainable consumption and environmental protection. Discover them on the website: www.museodelrisparmio.it.