Sustainable Christmas and summer holidays can add more fun! If you let me. Fake photo/images
OPINION
Having a more ethical summer does not mean giving up fun. From sustainable swaps to simplifying her activities, Kate Hall (aka Ethically Kate) shares Christmas and holiday tips so she can make greener choices while enjoying the holiday cheer.
Last year, my husband and I had naked Christmas breakfast. It was hilarious. We made French toast with all kinds of toppings while we drank fancy cups of tea and laughed at how ridiculous we felt. I tell you this so that you understand that a sustainable Christmas does not take away the joy. Contrary to popular belief, I am not the Christmas Grinch, I am here to take away your plastic Christmas decorations and steal your Christmas spirit in the name of environmentalism. Sustainable Christmas and summer holidays can add more fun! If you let me.
15 Easy Ways to Make Your Vacation More Mindful
1. Start your sustainable holiday efforts with the easiest swaps. Keep reusable items in your car so you can take home leftovers from holiday events and say no to packaging waste when you eat out at summer markets or travel. Your food will also taste better if it’s reusable!
2. Promise yourself now that, instead of grabbing a takeaway coffee when you’re on vacation, you’ll sit back for a few moments and enjoy the atmosphere of whatever city you’re passing through.
3. If you have control over the food served on Christmas Day, suggest fewer meat options, buy locally grown produce and support small businesses like that local cafe that makes the best mince pies.
Reuse last year’s holiday decorations. Photo/123rf
4. Reuse last year’s Christmas decorations.
5. Replace useless Christmas traditions with different ones; You could steal my naked idea of Christmas.
6. Share the ride to your camp.
7. Bring airtight containers wherever you go on vacation to fill with organic matter that you can take home to compost! Sign up for ShareWaste if you don’t want to store your own compost.
8. Prepare meals when you have time so the silly season doesn’t fill your trash can and drain your bank account.
9. Give away experiences, massage vouchers, dinners, homemade cakes; gifts that are not simply symbolic “things.”
10. Normalize inherited gifts.
11. Go swimming, don’t go shopping.
Instead of shopping, spend time swimming. Photo/123rf
12. Use a sustainable sunscreen from somewhere like Seasick Sunscreen Co.
13. Eat seasonal fruit.
14. If you are hosting a gathering, use reusable cutlery and plates.
15. Pick up trash while you walk on the beach.
This quick list could go on forever, but the most important thing is to do what you can instead of doing nothing. A sustainable holiday season should be sustainable for your well-being, too. Rest, get outdoors and spend time with your family. Don’t have unrealistic expectations of yourself and celebrate when you do well.
2023-12-16 23:47:11
#Ethically #Kate #Sustainable #Christmas #fun
