Creating a more sustainable holiday season can help re-introduce the closeness of coming together during the holidays. Over the past few decades, the rise of consumerism has made holidays shinier, bigger, and pricier but at what cost to our planet and community?
Here are some ways to enter the holiday season with a more personalized, unique, and environmentally friendly frame of mind.
Sustainable & Homemade Gift Ideas
Making your own gifts for the holidays can add a personalized touch without contributing to the tonnes of waste accumulated throughout the festive season.
Homemade gifts does not just mean crafting; it could also be baking goodies to share with friends and family. Using old mason jars you could make dry soup mixes by adding powdered broth, lentils, beans, spices, and instructions on how to prepare.
Create a homemade bath bombs or shower steamers can give the gift of relaxation.
If crafting or baking are not your style, support your local artists and community by shopping at Christmas Markets, art studios, and thrift stores to find hand-made items or pre-loved antiques.
Another great option is giving gifts of experience. Fun activities or self-care giftcards such as nail salons or massages can be a great low-waste option.
Creative Gift Wrapping Using Old and Sustainable Materials
Adding a unique seasonal flair to your holiday gifts doesn't have to hurt the planet or your wallet. Old clothes, like shirts, sweaters, bandanas or blankets, can be a way to add colour and texture to your wrapping without the waste. Gift bags that you reuse each year is also a great option.
Bows and ribbons are typically made from plastic, but using butchers' twine is a compostable alternative. You can also dye it with natural ingredients, like beets, purple cabbage, turmeric, or even food colouring.
If you want to get even craftier, using potato stamps can add a personalized touch to your gift wrapping that's fun for everyone. All you'll need is blank brown paper, a potato or two, paint or ink, a knife and cookie cutters for easy designs.
Sustainability doesn't mean giving up on traditions but rather taking steps to move into an eco-conscious New Year. Making small changes, like rethinking how we gift for the holidays, can inspire those around us to make earth-friendly choices.
