Is a responsible Christmas possible?

Christmas is finally upon us, and with it, the joy of preparations is gaining ground. But while we wait for the tree to spread the magic of the holidays into our cozy homes, why not consider a more responsible way to prepare for the festivities this year?

If you're feeling a bit guilty about food waste and the amount of trash you create for Christmas, there are a few things you can do to celebrate differently...

Adopt the right tree

The eternal dilemma between choosing a natural or artificial tree is more relevant than ever. While one might think that an artificial tree helps combat intensive tree production, a study shows that a plastic tree would need to be used for at least 20 years to minimize its environmental impact! Add to this the harmful effects of plastic (and therefore oil) materials, and neither option is actually ideal for the planet.

However, if you decide to go for a natural tree, it's best to choose one produced in France, ideally labeled organic, Plante Bleue or Label Rouge, and definitely not to burn it after the holidays (but replant it or take it to a recycling center).

Another solution: why not “adopt a tree” (one whose age and name you know!) just for the holidays? This is what the French startup Treezmas is offering. They deliver your potted tree to your home and pick it up after the holidays to replant it and let it grow. Clever, right?

More eco-friendly, the DIY tree is also all the rage! It leaves room for your creativity (or that of your children!), doesn't lose its needles, and adapts perfectly to the size of your interior and your ambitions. Let yourself be guided by these few ideas that Pinterest offers us.

© Côté Maison

Choose more responsible Christmas gifts

To avoid wasting money, time, and resources, choose sustainable gifts—those that will last over time and are made under decent working conditions. Simply choose brands that promote quality products, local production, and natural materials, like JULES & JENN and many others!

To make things easier for you, there are many websites, such as Dream Act , which list eco-friendly, recycled, handmade, or local gifts.

You can also give meaning to your loved ones by transforming your gifts into charitable actions thanks to a charitable gift card, like the one from charitips which aims to support French associations.

Limit or create your own gift wrapping

After gifts, what about packaging, the ultimate king of waste? In fact, 20,000 tons of wrapping paper are thrown in the trash every year after only a few minutes of use. This year, when we're spending more time at home, why not go minimalist, and even better, artistic? A very popular option in the zero-waste movement is to wrap our gifts in reusable gift wrap following the Japanese tradition of Furoshiki, a technique based on beautiful, colorful fabrics that can be reused endlessly.

© Noémie Sato from Hello Blogzine

And you, have you opted for concrete actions to reduce your ecological footprint during the end-of-year holidays?