From Christmas trees fashioned out of books to real spices as ornaments, here’s how you could celebrate the season in a truly sustainable way.
Christmas revelry is no longer just about the festoons and carols, good food and gifts. People are increasingly weaving sustainability into their Christmas décor. If you haven’t started on your sustainability journey yet, this is a good time to start. Here’s a short guide on how to make your Christmas eco-friendly.
A Christmas tree made of books
Book Christmas tree
Transform a stack of books into a Christmas tree. Designing a book-themed Christmas tree is perfect for bibliophiles, those living in compact spaces, and individuals looking for a more mindful way to celebrate the holidays
To give your tree height, start with a modest platform, such as a little flat box. Next, arrange books in descending order of size, opening each to create a soft-edged cone with the pages spreading out. Hardcovers, which are positioned lower in the stack, provide the support that the tree needs to stand upright.
The activity might serve as a gentle introduction to creativity and resourcefulness for children. It can also encourage adults to reminisce about doing holiday crafts by hand. Every book tree reflects the individual taste and resourcefulness of its maker; no two are alike.
Now, to style your book tree without going overboard, add a single string of LED fairy lights that run on batteries. These will provide a soft glow that would draw attention to the edges of pages. Small beads, a piece of ribbon or a pine cone that has been lying around could work as ornaments. For extra texture and visual play, you can make use of any DIY ornaments or even your existing decorating items.
Why is the book Christmas tree a great option? Anyone with books and an afternoon can get a book tree made. The process of giving beloved objects a new function and cutting down on waste is satisfying in itself.
Wrapping gifts sustainably
Sustainable gift wrapping
Make use of old fabric, paper from online deliveries, stained newspaper, old calendar and maps. Try Furoshiki, a traditional Japanese technique using a square piece of fabric to wrap gifts, books, wine bottles, and more. Incorporate a personal element with nature-inspired gift-toppers. Select dried flowers and foliage based on the dimensions of the gift you are wrapping.
Nature-inspired decor
Nature-inspired Christmas décor is easy, affordable, and wonderfully sustainable. Start by collecting clean seashells and transforming them into charming ornaments — paint them, add glitter, or tie on ribbons to create stars, angels, Santa faces, or personalised name tags. These natural pieces bring a breezy touch to any tree.
Coconut shells also make striking handmade ornaments. Clean and smooth the shells, paint festive patterns, and embellish them with beads or twine. Even broken pieces can be shaped into stars, bells, or mini wreaths, offering a creative way to reuse leftovers while adding rustic beauty.
For a traditional touch, craft delicate stars from fresh kuruthola (palm leaves). A few simple folds create elegant decorations that celebrate Nature. Complement these with paper crafts — tiny paper boats framed in jute, or whimsical fairies made from old book pages — for a charming, eco-friendly Christmas display.
Create a rustic star by using cinnamon sticks tied with jute twine, then accent your tree with dried cloves, star anise, bay leaves, and tiny nutmeg bundles. These fragrant, all-natural ornaments bring the aroma of Kerala’s spice gardens straight into your festive home.
Crocheted holiday ornaments are long-lasting, can be reused, and can be crafted from sustainable materials such as natural and recycled yarns. This stands in contrast to commercially-produced decorations, which are often made from non-biodegradable plastics and frequently thrown away after use.
Happy Holidays! May this season fill your home with wonder, stories, and new sustainable traditions.
Source link : View Article
