How To Host A Sustainable Christmas
Ahh, Christmas.
Whether you look forward to it or try to avoid it, there’s no denying the festive spirit felt across New Zealand in the lead up to the holiday period.
For those who choose to live a waste-free life, or want to do their bit to help the environment, Christmas can be challenging. How do you avoid buying into the mass consumerism messaging from your favourite brands? Where do you find presents with meaning, instead of gifting for the sake of gifting? Is there a way to host a truly sustainable Christmas?
Yes, there is.
Rediscover the true meaning to Christmas and try these fun ideas to make this year’s holiday both sustainable and extra special for your family…
1. Family Crafts - Make Pinecone Decorations!
Send the kids off on a pine cone hunting adventure! Dip the tips in white vegetable based paint for a modern twist and scatter them across the dinner table as a rustic decoration.
2. Play Gratitude Whispers
Use this time to be grateful for what you have, your friends your family your community and the love around you. Ask your guests to come along with something they are grateful for and start the lunch or dinner with each person whispering their gratitude around the table. See what comes back at the end.
Great for a few laughs and you can always make corrections if the message gets completely tangled!
3. Create a Fresh Centrepiece
First, position a long table runner on your dining table to ground the centrepiece. We absolutely love the Christmas style runners from www.vintagestitchup.co.nz.
Next, snip greenery from your garden for a burst of colour.We love the soft greens of Corokia, Olive and Teucrium. Try fresh lemons from the tree for a splash of colour, or fragrant herbs to create a festive aroma.
4. DIY Napkin Rings
Use some malleable foliage to create small circles to hold your Good Change Bamboo Napkin.
Thread the bamboo through each ring and lay greenery or a sprig of dried lavender on top. If you’re short on time, simply roll the napkins and tie them with twine plus a sprig of rosemary.
5. Reduce Your Wrapping Paper Usage
Concerned about the amount of wrapping paper that ends up in the rubbish post-Christmas morning present frenzy? We don’t blame you.
Consider some eco alternatives such as:
Tea towels and ribbon. So many pattern options, and the chance to add a personal addition to your gift!
Old newspapers or magazines. Topped with a brightly coloured ribbon and sprig of greenery from the garden.
Children’s artwork. Been searching for a way to celebrate your little ones artistic talents? Use the piles of kindy artwork as gift wrap – proud parent moment!
Hit the op-shops for some vintage scarves! You’ll find some beautiful patterns to work with, and maybe inspire a new trend…
6. Good Gifting
Looking for a gift that keeps on giving to treat your friends and family this year? We’ve done the hard work for you. Check out our helpful gift guides; one for him, one for her and one for them.
7. Eat Sustainably
Start the gastronomic journey with some taste treats from Umami Larder. These ladies really know how to create the most delicious blends of exotic flavours. Our personal favourite… Sweet Cardamom & Rose Pistachio Dukkah.
For your main course indulge in some sustainably farmed morsels from Harmony Meats as the base of your mid-winter feast. All of their products are raised by people with the highest respect for the environment. It’s food you can feel really good about eating and what better way to celebrate a sustainable Christmas.
8. Think About Your Plan For Festive Waste
Did you know a surprising amount of waste generated at Christmas time can be easily composted or recycled? Take small steps towards a Good Change this year with these ideas for managing waste during the silly season:
Make sure to compost your food scraps – and if you don’t have a compost, here’s the perfect excuse to start one!
Add excess coffee grounds to your soil instead of rinsing down the kitchen sink.
If you have family joining you for the holidays, buy your food in bulk and invest in some reusable containers to top up as needed. A great way to reduce the amount of packaging.
Consider gifting an experience or go bargain hunting at the op-shop. Less packaging, more meaning. We like!
Did you buy a real Christmas tree this year? Check with the farm you purchased from whether you can return it. If the answer is no, chop it up and compost in your back garden. If that’s not an option, add to a green waste bag or bin.
