How to prepare a responsible Christmas?

Christmas is approaching with its abundance of gifts, decorations and delicious gourmet meals. Although it is a traditional holiday, Christmas is also a real disaster for the environment. Between overconsumption, pollution and waste, this holiday season is not kind to our dear little planet…

...But an eco-friendly Christmas is possible! 

© Monstera / Pexels

In this article, we offer you some tips to make your Christmas traditions a little greener and more eco-friendly. 

#1 - Buy or make an eco-friendly Christmas tree

Tall, beautiful and green, the Christmas tree is considered one of the essential symbols of the holiday season. With colorful ornaments and garlands, we enjoy decorating it as Christmas approaches.

This year, we avoid non-recyclable plastic artificial trees that are highly polluting to the planet. We opt for a more ecological and responsible approach: the natural tree. Contrary to what one might think, the trees sold in France do not come from deforestation, but from agricultural production. The Christmas trees are specifically grown for Christmas in the regions of Morvan, Corrèze, Limousin, Jura and the Ardennes.

However, it is important to consider certain criteria before buying a natural tree. 

First, it is preferable to choose a tree grown locally in France. A tree sold close to the region where it grew helps to minimize its carbon footprint. Less transport means less pollution! 

Regarding labels, there are several to identify a 100% French Christmas tree: the “Fleurs de France” label, “Plante Bleue”, which certifies reasoned farming conditions, or even the Label Rouge, which guarantees that it was cut down after November.

Finally, it is also preferable to opt for an organic tree that has undergone no chemical treatment. To find a tree that meets eco-friendly criteria, the France Sapin Bio website offers organic, biodegradable and French Christmas trees, grown in respect of the environment in the heart of the Ariège Pyrenees.

For zero-waste enthusiasts and do it yourself (DIY), it is also possible to make your own Christmas tree from recycled objects. Wooden pallets, books, cardboard boxes, branches… There are many simple and fun tutorials online that you can do with your children.
The advantage of creating your own zero-waste tree? It lasts and can be reused for several years.

#2 Make your own zero-waste Advent calendar

The problem: industrial Advent calendars are highly polluting. Most are made from fragile plastic that is quite difficult to recycle. 

Yet, it is quite simple to make your own zero-waste calendar. There is no need to be an experienced crafter, young and old can easily do it with the necessary materials and a little patience. 

Kraft paper, jars, cardboard or other objects, let your ideas germinate by using recycled materials. There are many tutorials online to make an eco-friendly and zero-waste Advent calendar. 

Speaking of DIY, we offer you a video on our YouTube channel to build your zero-waste Advent calendar with recycled toilet paper cardboard:

We have written a whole article for more ideas to create your zero-waste calendar.

#3 - Decorate your home with natural and/or recycled products

This is nothing new: Christmas decorations can be quite expensive and not very eco-friendly. With tutorials and a pinch of curiosity, it is very easy to make your own eco-friendly decoration (and save money)! 

A branch or leaves cost nothing if you find them on the ground in a park or forest! For example, a tree log easily becomes a magnificent candle holder, pine cones become beautiful Christmas ornaments and twigs make a lovely decoration for a greeting card. 

Another ethical idea: make your decoration from recycled materials. This is what we call upcycling. This process consists of giving a second life to an object or a piece of clothing that is no longer used. For Christmas, reuse your old socks to make snowmen, wallpaper as a table runner or even cardboard as a cake stand.

We are sharing a tutorial for a table decoration:

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#4 Cook a Christmas meal with local products

Another positive point of made in local: encouraging local producers. Farmers, ranchers, market gardeners, winegrowers… buying local allows you to value their work. Food or drinks, it's the opportunity to discover their local products around a good Christmas meal.

Find the producers at the markets or those organized especially for the holiday season. 

Speaking of responsible food, our articles for an anti-waste Christmas and for choosing your eco-friendly chocolate could also interest you.
 

© Nicole Michalou / Pexels

#5 Favor zero-waste gift wrapping

There is no need to buy wrapping paper in large quantities for it to end up in the trash once unwrapped. There are zero-waste alternatives to wrap your gifts in an ethical and eco-friendly way. 

For example, Furoshiki is an eco-friendly, reusable Japanese wrapping cloth. No need for tape, ties, or string—it’s all about the art of folding and knotting! 

In fact, Furoshiki is often referred to as “fabric origami”, as the term also refers to the technique of folding and knotting fabric itself.

Furoshiki comes in several sizes for wrapping all kinds of objects.

The Lebanese brand Keess offers cotton bags in various sizes on Meanwhile Boutique.

You can also find traditional, zero-waste wrapping paper that can be reused, such as the On s'emballe à la Française brand, with its trio of pouches or wrapping paper in several colors.

Here is a short tutorial video for your wrapping:

Another zero-waste wrapping tip: recycling. We all have old books, magazines, or newspapers that we no longer read and that are gathering dust. Why not use them to wrap your Christmas gifts? Like the collective of creators at Meanwhile Boutique, old packaging is also perfect for wrapping an object.

For the finishing touch, a small piece of reusable jute twine will make them look beautiful, and the gifts will be ready to place under the Christmas tree!
 

#6 - Give eco-friendly gifts to your loved ones

For Christmas, choose creations by small, committed local artisans. Why not take a stroll through your city's pop-up stalls or small independent boutiques? This helps showcase the talent of small creators and gives you a unique gift to offer.

For online shopping enthusiasts, choose websites that align with your values and are environmentally friendly. 

For example, Meanwhile Boutique is an ethical e-commerce site committed to the environment and craftsmanship. It promotes short supply chains and showcases the expertise of creators from around the world. Carefully selected according to a values charter, it features more than 130 creators and nearly 2,500 ethical products for the whole family in the worlds of fashion, home décor, accessories, and wellness.

For eco-friendly gifts, Meanwhile Boutique has a “Gift Ideas” category for every occasion. For Christmas, we offer the selection for her, the selection for him, early childhood, and under €50.

If you want to be sure you'll make them happy, there is also the Meanwhile Boutique gift card, from €10:

For a greener world, every action counts. For Christmas, give a small eco-friendly gesture to the planet. It's the best gift of all! 

What is your eco-friendly Christmas action? Share it in the comments👇🏼. 

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