Dreaming of a Green Christmas

Merry Christmas Eve everyone! In the blink of an eye, 2024 is almost over, and the jolliest times of the year are just around the corner. There’s no better feeling than waking up on Christmas Day to piles of wrapped gifts under the tree and flurries of snow outside your window. However, where I live, recent Christmas mornings have been soggy rather than snowy. In fact, I think it’s been about three years since my last White Christmas (☹️)! While we rejoice during the holiday season, it is good to remind ourselves of global warming’s widespread effects and the mission to cut down waste. 1. Travel Everyone loves taking a flight to spend the holidays with relatives and loved ones, but transportation is a major contributor to climate change. If possible, stick to shorter journeys, carpooling, closer destinations, or even consider staying local. I’ve stayed home with my family most Christmases, and I can assure you that the holiday is just as magical! 2. Gift-Giving

Gift-giving is one of the most beloved traditions of Christmas, but unfortunately, it also leads to lots of waste and overconsumption. Examples include excessive packaging and wrapping and non-eco friendly gifts such as products that are made from unsustainable materials or are not durable/have short lives. However, there are many cool ways to cut down this issue. Some easy solutions are:

• Giving experiences rather than physical gifts. Tickets to a concert, a cooking class, or a weekend getaway can create priceless memories and don’t require much packaging. However, keep in mind the environmental impact of the events you are gifting. 

• Using biodegradable/recycled wrapping paper or reusable gift bags. Also be careful not to use more packaging than is needed! 

• Supporting local small businesses in buying gifts. Not only are their products often handmade, ethically produced, eco-friendly, and quality, but purchasing from them helps boost the local economy, reduce carbon footprints associated with shipping, and fosters a sense of community connection during the holiday season.

3. Decorations

Another big source of waste are the holiday decorations that fill our homes. Rather than plastic baubles and artificial trees made from non-recyclable materials, choose natural materials like pinecones and sprigs of real holiday plants to spice up your home. There are even programs that allow you to rent a tree that is replanted after the holiday season!

4. Lights

Christmas lights are beautiful, but they can unfortunately consume a significant amount of energy. One way to reduce your carbon footprint is by switching to LED lights, which use far less energy than traditional incandescent ones. Another good tip is to limit the amount of time the lights are on. Instead of leaving them on all night, set a timer so they shine for just the evening  hours when everyone is home and awake to enjoy them.

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As we enjoy the holiday season, let’s continue to make a positive impact on the planet by incorporating sustainable practices into our celebrations. Green, sustainable habits ensure bright and white Christmas mornings! 

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and see you in 2025!

How did you make your holidays eco-friendly? Reach out to me at @luanniewang@gmail.com, and Stay Sustainable!