The world we inherit must be treated with care, so this year, make your Christmas eco-friendly by choosing sustainable decorations.
Our planet is our home. We all share a space that belongs to everyone and must be respected. Being environmentally friendly should be an obligation for all of us. Yet, many tend to forget the responsibility of leaving a world as good as or better than the one we inherited.
As we count down to Christmas, it’s crucial not to overlook the importance of respecting the planet. The world we inherit must be treated with care, so this year, make your Christmas eco-friendly by choosing sustainable decorations.
Christmas Eve is often filled with flavours, celebrations, and lights. However, it’s also a time of significant consumption and waste. The environmental organization Quercus frequently highlights that this special season leads to a substantial increase in waste production: over ten million rolls of wrapping paper and the cutting down of more than three million trees are some of the costs of wrapping presents.
You don’t need to incur these expenses to make Christmas magical. You can create recycled Christmas decorations with creativity and family togetherness and avoid unnecessary purchases. Here are some ideas for an eco-friendly Christmas season.
Tips for an Eco-Friendly Christmas: Must-Try Sustainable Decoration Ideas
1. Natural Christmas Trees
This year, opt for a sustainable Christmas tree. The best choice is natural pine trees, which people used to rely on in the past. Decorating for the festive season is far more special with natural trees than traditional artificial ones.
Even today, it’s possible to get a natural pine tree. They can be bought at Christmas markets or from volunteer fire departments, which often organize initiatives promoting this option. Be sure to purchase your tree from certified entities to ensure sustainability.
It’s important to consider the tree's origin and whether the plantations are sustainably managed. Buying a tree with roots allows it to be replanted, especially when it is locally sourced.
2. Creating a sustainable Christmas tree
If you lack space for replanting or a garden, an artificial tree can be a sustainable option since it lasts for many years. Alternatively, unleash your creativity and make your tree!
This can be a fun family activity. Your handmade Christmas tree can be created from natural materials (branches, leaves, pine cones) or recycled items. For example, you can use wooden boards, cardboard, or pallets to craft your tree.
3. DIY Christmas Decorations (and Gifts)
Many people tend to buy a lot of Christmas objects every year. However, without so many costs, you can present a festive atmosphere with Christmas decorations you make yourself.
These activities can be family-oriented and involve children. pine cones, fabric scraps, bottles, cans, corks, lids, and glass jars are just a few materials to create Christmas decorations. Family photo montages or wall paintings can also be simple yet effective strategies.
Even gifts can be homemade. There are countless options for crafting small, eco-friendly keepsakes.
There's no shortage of pnline tutorials that teach you how to make beautiful and durable ornaments or gifts, all you have to do is let your imagination run wild!
Fonte: Freepik
4. Opt for more sustainable Christmas lights
Lights are essential at Christmas, they bring joy. However, you should opt for more efficient lights that use less energy. This solution does not fail to promote the festive spirit, but it also allows you to reduce damage to the planet and save a few bucks.
You can create a more elegant and sophisticated look with fewer lights. To save energy, reduce the number of lights you use in your Christmas decorations.
Using LED bulbs is a good option because they consume less energy. Another strategy is to set timers to switch Christmas lights on and off to save energy and switch them on at dusk.
5. Reusing last Christmas's decorations (and other things)
The Christmas season is associated with consumerism and waste, so we must change that by creating different, more planet-friendly traditions. A good strategy is to recycle everything you can and reuse the same things in subsequent years.
In addition to sustainable decorations, it’s important to avoid excessive meals, particularly during Christmas dinner. Avoiding waste on the table is key to living a more eco-friendly Christmas.
Traditionally, Christmas tables are lavishly set, even if there are only a few people to eat all the food. This often results in waste—both of resources and money. Make a modest list of what you truly want to serve, focusing on what’s special. Don’t prepare desserts just because it’s tradition. If rabanadas (Portuguese French Toast), aletria, sonhos, or leite-creme often go uneaten, don’t make them.
Being mindful of the planet during this joyful and celebratory season allows us to live with greater awareness of our role in the world.
