5 essential tips for a sustainable Christmas 2024

Christmas brings sparkle and joy, but also a considerable burden on the environment

Waste increases by up to 20%[1], but there are many ways to celebrate festively and protect the environment at the same time. With small changes, we can create a sustainable Christmas season full of atmosphere.

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1. sustainable Christmas tree and the right lighting

A Christmas tree grows for eight to ten years before it is often only used for two weeks. We at EINFACH MEHRWEG show you how to make this tradition more sustainable.

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Sustainable Christmas tree options

Certified organic Christmas trees are a good choice and grow in mixed cultures and without herbicides [2]. You can recognize them by seals such as:

- EU organic

- Bioland

- Naturland

- Demeter

- FSC

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Christmas tree alternatives

Christmas trees in pots that can be planted after the holidays are also more environmentally friendly. Renting trees that continue to grow after Christmas is also popular [3].

Keinachtsbaum as an innovative solution

The Keinachtsbaum® is a modular wooden stand that is filled with cut greenery from fir trees. The branches come from sustainably managed trees. The trunk can be used as a coat rack after the holidays, for example [4].

Energy-saving lighting

The right lighting creates Christmas spirit, but during the Advent season Germany consumes as much electricity as a medium-sized city does in the whole year [5].

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Advantages of LED lighting

LED fairy lights save up to 90 % electricity compared to conventional light bulbs and only cost around 6 euros in electricity costs during the Christmas period. They are also durable and last up to 10,000 hours, which means they can be used for many years.

Energy-saving tips for fairy lights

- Use timers to switch lights off automatically

- Use monochrome instead of flashing fairy lights

- Choose high-quality LEDs with warm white light (below 3000 Kelvin)

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2. environmentally friendly gift wrapping

Around 8,000 tons of wrapping paper waste is produced in Germany every year[6]. This can easily be avoided.

Sustainable packaging materials

- Recycled wrapping paper (e.g. with the Blue Angel seal)

- Wrapping paper and jute twine

- Compostable alternatives

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Creative packaging ideas

The Japanese furoshiki tradition of wrapping gifts in cloth is sustainable and decorative. More ideas:

- Newspaper with natural decorations

- Old calendar pages or maps

- Cloth bags that can be reused

- Preserving jars or tin cans for homemade items

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3. climate-friendly festive meals

The festive meal is a highlight of the Christmas season, but unfortunately around 270,000 tons of food are wasted during this time [7]. Here are tips for a sustainable festive meal.

Regional ingredients

Winter offers many regional delicacies: Kale, lamb's lettuce, parsnips, pumpkin, red cabbage, celeriac, potatoes, chestnuts, apples, pears, walnuts and citrus fruits. These ingredients are available fresh and bring variety to the table.

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Seasonal menu planning

Go for organic quality, especially when it comes to dairy products [8]. A vegetarian Christmas menu can significantly reduce the ecological footprint of the festivities, as avoiding meat production, especially beef or pork, reduces CO₂ emissions and the use of resources such as water and energy.

Ideas for a sustainable menu:

Appetizer: Lamb's lettuce with pears and walnuts

Main course: Carp or vegetarian polenta dumplings on pumpkin vegetables [9]

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Avoid food waste

To reduce waste:

- Planning quantities: Calculate realistically for guests

- Leftovers: Leftover food can be given to guests in reusable containers

- Storage: freeze meat and fish, keep vegetables cool [10]

By planning wisely, we can reduce food waste and enjoy the festive season in a climate-friendly way.

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4. ecological gift ideas

Giving gifts can bring joy and protect the environment at the same time. Here are some sustainable gift ideas.

Homemade gifts

DIY gifts from the kitchen or workshop are personal and sustainable:

- Homemade treats such as cookies, energy balls or liqueur [11]

- Natural care products such as body butter or bath bombs [11]

- Home-made syrups or drinks [11]

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Experience gifts

Time and shared experiences are particularly valuable:

- Culinary: barista courses or wild herb hikes [11]

- Nature: Tree sponsorships or rental vegetable gardens [12]

- Education: Workshops, e.g. photography or sustainability [11]

- Together: cooking courses or a bee sponsorship as a sign for the environment [13]

With these ideas, you can give the gift of joy and make a statement for sustainability at the same time.

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5. sustainable Christmas market visit

Christmas markets in Germany generate billions in sales every year [14], but sustainable alternatives are gaining in popularity. Here are some tips and recommendations.

Find organic Christmas markets

The Advent eco market in Berlin combines certified organic products with handicrafts from Berlin manufacturers and sets new standards for climate-friendly markets [15]. The Tollwood Winter Festival in Munich offers a 100% organic range and supports environmental projects with its proceeds [16]. The Christmas market in Cologne's Stadtgarten offers exclusively regional and fair-trade products and scores with a cozy atmosphere thanks to its unique open-air location in the Stadtgarten [17].

Sustainable Christmas is easier than you think: with organic Christmas trees, LED lighting and regional ingredients, we can enjoy a festive season and reduce our impact on the environment. EINFACH MEHRWEG shows how we can save resources and create sustainable traditions by making conscious decisions - for a Christmas season that will have a positive impact for a long time to come.