MINIMAL
BLOG POSTS
Living on the map
Have A Merry Sustainable
Christmas !
SUSTAINABILITY TO BRING CHRISTMAS BACK TO IT'S ORIGIN OF LOVE, SHARING AND CARING FOR EACH OTHET
Christmas is possibly the most waste inducing holiday that ever was.. We know it for the colourful wrapping paper, the presents, the twinkly lights and decorations and for aaaaaall the food.
But maybe it is time to get to know a Christmas that gets back to the essential of the holiday - the love, the family, the food (well some things don't really need to change !)
So without altering the holiday all together, we can tweak and swap here and there to change our traditions and make them more eco-friendly. This article is going to be filled with great low waste presents, dinner ideas and decorations tricks, to enjoy at home.
HERE ARE ALL OUR CHRISTMAS-TRADITIONS ECO-SWAPS TO STAY MINDFUL THROUGH THE HOLIDAYS !
LOUISE HERE !
hi
I'm so happy that you stumbled on our little corner of the web.
I hope this space serves you in your journey to a more mindful and sustainable life !
Stay in touch
TOP CATEGORIES
MINIMAL
Sharing ideas, tutoriels and solutions to live simpler lives
WELLNESS
Opening a window onto health for the body, mind and soul
NOURISH
Sharing delicious and nutritious recipes and solutions toward better living.
#1 CHOSE REUSABLE
1. Wrappings
A great symbole of Christmas is a tree surrounded by colourful presents. But have you seen the amount of torn paper left on the floor after the whole family opened their presents ?? This is more than just papers, it's trees, it's the paint and chemicals used to decorate it, it's the plastic film that goes on top and the overall waste just to be ripped open in a few minutes. Now, I know some people recycle these wrappings year after year, and that is already wonderful. But if you want to go the extra mile, you can invest or make yourself some fabric wrappings. You can purchase them or saw them yourself if you are into DIYs, and simply buy different colourful fabrics, cut them in various sizes and wrap your presents !
This will give such a pretty look to your gifts, can be used all year long for birthdays and such and will be good to use for the next 60 years !
2. Silverware and tableware
During Christmas, a lot of people chose some single use napkins and silverware to make it easier with all of the different dinners we might be hosting. The best thing to stay mindful would be to invest in some cotton napkins that over the years will be so much more affordable than re-buying paper ones each year, and will look so much nicer at the dinner table. For tableware, if you have a very big family and don't think you can change for regular plates and silverware, than maybe you can direct yourself towards bambou plates and cutlery, they look so beautiful, don't cost a lot more than plastic and can go straight to the compost bin when you're done.
#2 BUY WITH CARE
1. Homemade with love
Presents are such a big part of Christmas and is simply that time of year where you want to show the people you love just how much they mean to you. To me, nothing says I love you more than a homemade gift, one where you took time to create something special, and there are so many ideas ! From homemade cakes or meals in a jar, natural creams and soaps, sown in pockets and knitted ware.. The DIY world is your oyster ! - Check out our 25 homemade Christmas gifts ideas here.
2. Second hand gems
If hand making things isn't your jam, take a look into second hand shops to find a thrifted gift. May it be books, home decorations, vintage clothing and jewellery or even furniture, there is so much beauty in offering these unique beautiful pieces.
3. Sustainable + local over convenience
A third option would be to buy from ethical, sustainable and local brands. Buying from a small business has so much more weight and importance than shopping with a multi-millionaire international company. It means you are privileging people over profit, planet over convenience and investing in your local economy. Plus it is guaranteed to be a much more special gift !
#3 THE PROOF IS IN THE PUDDING
1. More veggies
Joaquin and I are vegans, but our families are not, and we always have a little something for everyone on the table. Wether you and your family eat meat or not, challenge yourself to add one or two completely vegan dishes to your table - consuming less animal products makes a great difference in our everyday life, and Christmas is no different. Some of our favorite vegan holiday recipes include roasted sweet potatoes with maple pecans, grilled green beens with a garlic rub and a walnut and fresh endives salad. It doesn't need to be complicated, but adding some plant based meals to your table is like taking a step closer to world where animal consumption does not threaten our planet and is done mindfully !
2. Celebrate the seasons
A great thing about this season is all of the delicious vegetables and fruits it has to offer, and the challenge that comes with it to create and make recipes that celebrate them. Buying fruits and vegetables that come from across the world or grow in a green house with heating systems make for an enormous toll on our planet. Let's try to break these habits and celebrate the delicious food that grows naturally in our country !
#4 STAY "AU NATUREL"
I've always thought using nature to decorate was something very special. Going out for a long walk in the woods and coming back with some pinecones to paint, some holly leaves to decorate the table, and pine branches to make a reef are only some of the many natural decorations you can use. Other ideas (especially if the forest really isn't an option for you) include popcorn garlands, oven dried orange slices, hanging cookies in the tree..
There is so much inspiration out there to create a natural Christmas decor this year - so get out there and get inspired !
Christmas use to be all about spending time together and reminding our close ones of just how much we love them. Let's go back to making ornements together, shopping with care and prepping food that will fuel us and keep us and our planet safe.
I hope this article got you inspired to try things a little differently this year and keep mindfulness at the heart of your holidays !
Sending you extra love ! xx
I'M LOUISE
Thanks for giving this a read ! I'm a writer, photographer & self proclaimed environmental warrior, excited to share solutions, ideas and recipes to bring sustainability into our lives.
hello
MORE LIKE THIS
DIVE INTO
