O you sustainable! This is how you can have a sustainable Christmas

Sustainability is trending. Because we have long recognized that we have to take care of our planet. When it comes to Christmas at the latest, many people stop thinking about sustainability. After all, many people associate the festival with opulence, effort, splendor and glory. The green of the Christmas tree disappears under lots of tinsel. The presents are piled up underneath. Meter high. And the dining table bends under the lavish holiday meal. Christmas and sustainability? At first glance, this doesn't seem to fit together. But it is doable. We reveal how a sustainable Christmas can be successful.

Sustainable Christmas: from the celebration to the gifts

In order to celebrate a sustainable Christmas, some preparation is required. Because for many this also means: breaking out of the usual path and breaking with entrenched ways of doing things. So start the preparation work as soon as possible. Below we have collected sustainable tips for you on the essential components of a Christmas celebration:

Regional Christmas tree: Around 2.6 million Christmas trees are sold in Austria every year. The good news: 90 percent of natural Christmas trees come from local crops and forests. In those households where this is not yet the case, this year's festival could be the impetus to also focus on regionality. Not only do you support regional Christmas tree farmers, but you also get a quality product. Growing trees in Austria is sometimes subject to much stricter regulations than in neighboring countries, where monocultures and pesticides are not uncommon. When it comes to decoration, it is advisable to reuse jewelry and use figurines and stars made of straw, clay, felt, wood or salt dough. Or you can decorate with natural materials. Also swap old power guzzlers for energy-saving LED fairy lights.

Meaningful gifts: It also makes sense to focus on sustainability when it comes to Christmas presents. Because this means you kill two birds with one stone: On the one hand, the recipient will be able to enjoy it for longer because high-quality products are generally more durable. On the other hand, this protects the environment and you do not support ethically problematic productions in distant countries. When it comes to children's gifts, wooden construction kits, books, board games, ecological finger paints or soft toys made of organic cotton have priority over anything that contains too much plastic. A few ideas: insect hotel, upcycled bags made from old jeans, cement sacks or books, plastic-free care products, glass drinking bottle, stainless steel lunch box, fair trade coffee and chocolate, organic box subscription, voucher for a cooking course, hand-knitted items. Our CHICO hammocks and hammock chairs are also available. They are sustainably produced and, with a little care, will accompany the recipient for many years.

Environmentally conscious packaging: Who doesn't know it: First we painstakingly pack everything up, only for the paper to be thoughtlessly torn up later. And so the paper bins fill up in no time after the holidays. But that doesn't have to be the case either. It's better to save wrapping paper and reuse it. Or you can wrap the gifts in old newspapers, calendar pages, city maps, sheet music, patterns or book pages. Is that too boring for you? Set accents by embellishing everything with cut-out letters, hearts or stars. Shoe boxes, wrapping paper, fabric scraps, leftover wallpaper scraps, tin cans or jute bags are other possible alternatives. And how about some decoration from nature on top? Small coniferous branches, pine cones or dried leaves are ideal for this.

Homemade cookies: Admittedly, baking cookies takes time. And that's why many people now buy ready-made pastries instead of using rolling pins, cookie cutters, etc. themselves. However, it makes more sense to make the cookies yourself because that way you know exactly what's in them. When shopping, pay attention to organic products and give preference to regional products in particular. This saves long transport routes and protects the climate. By the way: A baking session like this is much more fun with other people - so grab your loved ones. With Christmas background music and a cup of punch, the cookies are ready in no time.

Sustainable holiday meal: For many, however, the most important question at Christmas is and remains this: What do we eat? Bratwursts remain one of the most popular dishes. In addition, goose leg, carp or turkey are often served on the table or the raclette equipment is unpacked. If you decide to eat meat, make sure you choose high-quality organic products from animal-friendly husbandry. When it comes to fish, organic and environmental seals are just as important. There are now also a lot of meat alternatives such as tofu, seitan, pea protein or lupins. Or how about a vegetarian menu without substitute products? A few ideas: nut roast, red cabbage roulades, Jerusalem artichoke risotto, pumpkin ravioli, beetroot carpaccio, cheese fondue.

Christmas is in your heart

Christmas tree, gifts etc. – we think about all of this a lot before the big celebration. However, we should not forget one thing: the true essence of Christmas is not reflected in material things, but rather within us. It is the kindness that we give to our neighbor. It is the warmth of heart that we show to others. And it is this special magic that is in the air, especially during Advent, and manifests itself in many different ways. As a smile between two strangers. Or as a hug between two acquaintances. We wish you a magical Christmas season!