Tips for a more sustainable Christmas

Christmas is approaching, that magical time of the year when the streets are filled with lights, packages are wrapped in paper and more wrapping paper and the streets are filled with cars. Many people consider this the most joyful and beautiful time of the year, but the truth is that for the environment it is not.

Road traffic, electricity consumption or excessive decoration and lights can have very serious negative effects on the environment. It is not about not celebrating the Christmas holidays, of course from Brushboo we invite you to do it with all your Christmas spirit, but being conscious and responsible with consumption and the environment.

Here are some tips on how to enjoy Christmas in a more sustainable way:

• Always wrap your gifts in recycled paper: nowadays there are many types of recycled paper and they are just as beautiful or even more beautiful than with traditional paper. Also, if you add a personal message it will look even better.

• Give eco-friendly products: The Brushboo eco-friendly brush made of bamboo is a very good choice for Christmas and Secret Santa gifts. An original gift at a very affordable price.

• • Use energy-saving bulbs: If you are going to light your Christmas tree or any other area in your home, use energy-saving bulbs. They will help your economy and the environment

• Turn off lights when they’re not needed: There’s no need for your tree or doorway to glow while you’re sleeping or away from home. Be sure to turn off all lights when they are not needed.

• Use timers: There are tools called timers that turn lights on and off at a convenient time. This will help us to control that the lights are only on when necessary.

• Don’t overbuy: Christmas has a great impact on the impulse factor at the time of purchase, try to make your purchases in cash, carry a list of what you need or want to give and don’t let anything else push you to buy. For the decorative elements of the house, try not to buy more than you need and if possible use the ones you have from other years.

• Use e-mail: If you are one of those who send Christmas cards, try to do it by e-mail this year, besides being more economical, you will reduce the impact of logistics (which also pollutes) and paper waste. In addition, there are platforms that allow you to send Christmas greetings in an interactive and original way. However, if you decide to send postcards, opt for recycled paper postcards.

• Use public transportation: by using public transportation options such as the subway you will not only avoid the horrible holiday traffic (which makes us all cranky) but you will also be contributing to the environment and your city.

• Opt for organic food: At Christmas we not only overindulge in the consumption of material goods, it is also a time when we overindulge in food and food. This year, try to buy the right things and always consider organic, biological or even fair trade alternatives (you’ll be doing a good deed while enjoying a more sustainable event).

• DIY: “Do it yourself”. If you feel like squeezing your creative vein, this is the best time! There’s nothing like decorating the house with ornaments you’ve made yourself. Surely you have hundreds of things in your house that you have no use for and that with a little imagination (and maybe some paint) can be transformed into the perfect ornament. In addition, you can also make a handmade gift. Nowadays it is rare to give away things that we have done manually, but remember that you are giving away your time and surely the person who receives it will know how to value that resource more than money. After all, what you do is unique and there is no store that sells it.

I’m sure you too can think of a way to make Christmas greener and more sustainable! Can you tell us about it?