Living sustainably is usually already hard enough, but in exceptional situations like Christmas, we are presented with a special challenge: masses of gifts and packagings, fairy lights inside and in the garden as well as celebratory dinners with much meat lasting for days. This scenario is probably anything but eco-friendly despite the fact that Christmas is actually the time of reflection. Therefore, we will reveal a few tips how you could organise the great festivity a bit more sustainably this year:

Christmas tree purchase

If you do not want to deny yourself a Christmas tree, then you could ask the local forest ranger whether he provides firs. But if you buy your tree at a plantation, you should absolutely be mindful of a certification with the eco seal. Then, you can at least be sure that there are no toxic perspirations from fertilisers and pesticides in your living room. The most sustainable solution however, would be a reusable Christmas tree, of course. Some tree nurseries rent out firs in a pot over Christmas which are allowed to keep their root system and can be reimplanted after the holidays. A beautifully decorated candle holder is perfectly suited for an Advent wreath which can be reused every year, by the way. Then, you only have to mind an eco-friendly and local production when purchasing your candles.

Choice of Christmas gifts

The obligatory flood of Christmas gifts probably presents the biggest problem for a sustainable lifestyle. In order to counteract that, you could agree upon not bestowing anything with your relatives and friends. Or, if that should be too unfestive for you, you should at least communicate your wishes beforehand and also ask the others in turn. This does not only save stress and frustration, also mispurchases do not have to be disposed of secretly in case that they did not have met the taste. Moreover, you could also buy a gift coupon, or, even better, write out a caritative donation or an adoption on the name of the presentee. It is also sustainable to give time instead of something material and everybody will be happy about an activity together, for sure. And even if the online mail-order trade is probably the most convenient way of purchasing gifts, you should nonetheless make the effort and stroll through the shops. Thereby, much more Christmas spirit will arise and you will save a lot of packaging waste and long transport routes. As a general rule applies: it is always rewarding to bet on high quality and persistent products and to pay attention to certifications and a local manufacturing.