Christmas is approaching, one of the most consuming parties in the world. Many want to celebrate and seek to do so in a more responsible and sustainable way. But… where to start?
1. Don’t buy on “impulse”
This is the first rule of responsible consumption, to think about whether what we are going to buy is really necessary. But in the context of these holidays, as we tend to give gifts and are influenced by excessive advertising these days, we sometimes fall into useless or unnecessary purchases.
A good exercise in thinking about whether the gift we’re going to buy is worth it is to look for ten different situations in which we (or the recipient) are going to use that item. If you can’t find them, they might not be worth buying.
2. Check the label
When choosing a product, it’s good to check the label and know how and where it was made. Pay attention, for example, to the conditions of your production: working in operating conditions, polluting materials or harmful to health.
3. Local stores
These data are essential for sustainable and responsible consumption, assessing the product’s manufacturing distance. It is best to buy from entrepreneurs or small traders who work under the motto of fair trade, zero kilometers or zero waste.
4. The Christmas Tree
Sustainable and responsible consumption recommends that we avoid taking home a Christmas tree and instead make our own Christmas tree out of imagination and recycled objects. It really is the best proposal. Read this note with more options.
5. Christmas Decoration
The whole theme of decoration is very linked to the tree. This is where we can use our creativity and imagination to make Christmas decorations ourselves. Plus, we’ll save a lot of money!
6. Christmas Lights
Although the Christmas Lights theme is a classic because of the brightness it brings at night, a good alternative are candles, which transmit a very warm light and give any room a very homey feel. Try to choose natural candles, which are not made with paraffin, derived from petroleum that emits toxic soot and which are never 100% consumed, with the wear and tear that this entails.
7. Gifts and toys
By tradition, the youngest are the ones who always receive the gifts. It is important to seek proposals made with natural, non-toxic, biodegradable products that stimulate creativity. Plastic toys, battery-powered and very noisy, quickly become boring for children.
8. Packing
The consumption of paper is greatly intensified during the holiday season due to the packaging used for gifts. The alternative is to use scraps of fabric, newspapers or magazines. There are many tutorials on the internet that explain how to make really original bags and packaging.
9. The Christmas Meal
Another big point to keep in mind. We usually cook for other amounts of food that, with luck, we can consume in the next few days or freeze. But a lot of food ends up in the trash.
In addition, we are influenced by extravagant recipes, with expensive ingredients and that come from far away. The best thing is to think of a menu suitable for the time of year in which we are celebrating, preparing light meals with local and seasonal products.
Finally, we emphasize that Christmas seeks to sustain the spirit of peace above all and has nothing to do with consumption and ostentation.