Sustainable Christmas Cheer

Written by: Jenny Lorenz of http://colombodwellers.wordpress.com                                          16/12/2019

Christmas is just around the corner and while it is the happiest time of the year for nearly everyone, we conveniently forget all about planet earth (and the actual reason for 'Christ'mas) and go on a rampage of shopping, wrapping and decorating. While all this is done with the intention of bringing joy to others during the festive season, shouldn't we consider the future consequences of seemingly inconsequential spending today?

How many of us decorate a Christmas tree each December? In many countries around the world, Christmas firs are cut down and propped up in houses, garlanded with festive lights and ornaments, and it brings that amazingly warm and cuddly 'Christmassy' feeling which we all long for throughout the year. Some may argue that they are saying no to plastics by using natural trees, but is any thought given to the number of trees that are cut down for just one month's decorations and then discarded into the wood chipper? It can even be argued that using a plastic tree is better for the environment as it is reusable each year for at least a period of 10 years.

In developing countries with emerging economies, many people opt for plastic trees because of the cost factor and also because most often they do not get full and fluffy Christmas firs for sale as only a few long branches are shorn off the tree, preserving the tree for many more years. Plastic trees are dusted off and used for many years, after being carefully wrapped and stored away for 11 months of the year, and adorned with more plastic ornaments and festive lights. Further more, most poorer nations do not have sustainable energy sources, rather the nation may be powered by coal power plants or other non renewable energy sources therefore, even festive lights are damaging to the environment when we consider the emission from the coal power plants.

As per recent studies, the USA and UK alone contribute much more towards wastage during the festive season, whereas poorer nations may, albeit unknowingly, be doing more to help mother earth by reusing and recycling decorations, cards, wrapping and sometimes even gifts. 

So what do we do? Spend Christmas without any festive cheer or twinkly lights? Certainly not. But what we can do is to reduce wastage as much as possible.

But how do we avoid plastics? All Christmas decorations are made with plastic hence going plastic free would mean some DIY projects and elbow grease.

Paper crafts- Discarded newspapers, tattered and torn books that are about to be dumped, spare bits of wrapping paper and tissue paper. All it takes is some imagination and creativity to make something unique and 'Christmassy' along with some scissors, glue, glitter, twine and heaps of fun.

Colorful threads- Takes a little bit more skill, but if you know someone who can stitch well, then why not create some unique decorations with spare bits of cloth or old clothing? Christmas bunting is cute and adds some festive cheer to the entire living room.

(Note: Visit the Palmy Bunting Ladies to place orders for Fabric Bunting for all gatherings and occasions) 

Festive lighting- Candles in glass jars with a little bit of creativity. Need I say anything more? Not only are you saving on your electricity bill but you are also saving the country from generating excess power by burning more coal and emitting more pollutants into the air. Further more, candles certainly do add some romanticism to every day life :) . Just make sure to follow safety measures when lighting candles.

Natural products- Cinnamon sticks, Rosemary twigs, Ferns... There are plenty of natural products that can be used to decorate in truly unique ways. Clamouring for some festive Red in your home, why not fill up pretty jars with those beautifully Red natural seeds. Want your home to smell like Christmas? why not use Cinnamon sticks and some small branches of Christmas fir? Make mini Christmas trees with twigs of Rosemary. Use natural greenery such as ferns for decorating. The sky is the limit :) .

Baked goods- nothing gives that 'Christmassy' feeling more than baking your own Christmas cookies and cakes. Why not extend that amazing feeling as gifts to others as delectable gifts? Pretty glass containers instead of plastic jars and are eco friendly and the recipient has the glass container to remember that awesome gift once the yumminess is already digested :) .

So here's to a sustainable, eco friendly, creative and fun filled Christmas. <3

 By: Jenny Lorenz of https://colombodwellers.wordpress.com/                                         01.12.2019