Did you know that around 120 million trees are cut down every Christmas? Gift wrappers, slow cooking, travelling around in personal vehicles – all of them contribute to an insane level of pollution each year in the holidays. Are there ways to celebrate better? Thankfully yes.
Millions of people buy fully grown Christmas trees as their living room’s centerpiece during this time; but cutting down that tree, its transportation, and lack of ways to dispose it correctly creates a big carbon footprint. So, planting a small tree or buying a potted tree is a great alternative. If you have the geographical convenience for growing a coniferous tree, go for it! Every 25th
December, decorate the living beauty in your yard and you can plan to set up a delicious Christmas dinner around it. This will significantly lower the carbon footprint that a
household will leave during Christmas.
In case you do not have the space or climatic conditions to grow a tree, buy a potted plant for the occasion and become a Plant Parent. It can be kept outside for the rest of the year before bringing it inside just ahead of Christmas. Take care of it and reuse it for as long as possible. Once you feel like they have outgrown the pot, change to a bigger one or just plant it in your garden! They look extremely pretty and the smaller ones could also be used for gifting. What more could you ask for to celebrate an eco-Christmas? 
Slow cooking or quick pollution?
Christmas sees the worst increase in pollution for at least two days. In 2018, the Central Pollution Control Board showed the Delhi air quality index on an average of 449 in the Holidays. This will not get better until the population starts celebrating a green (in something more than a tree) Christmas. The slow roasting turkeys that 22 million people of the world consumes on this day releases up to 200 m/cm particulates in the atmosphere.
Along with that, the smoke that comes from cooking a big family meal during the festival can create a lot of indoor pollution, leading to respiratory ailments and cardiac problems. There are ways to reduce the bad impacts of cooking a festival dinner-
Prof. Ian Colbech of Essex University has stated that in his measurements of particulate matter in his kitchen over Christmas for the past 10 years, he found PM particulate levels to be higher than cities in UK. He regards roast as one of the greatest contributors to indoor pollution. So, switch to cooking practices that would reduce this, such as baking or cooking on induction stoves. However, do keep in mind that electricity is a valuable energy as well so avoid wasting it.
One of the major human-made-crisis during Christmas is food waste; around 250,000-270,000 tonnes each year. So before you start prepping, make sure you buy the right quantity of food to avoid this. Do not let your festive spirit make you hoard more than you need, or it will remain unused or get spoilt.
Cook such foods that will not harm your body or nature. Go for organic snacks, homemade drinks, and locally grown natural vegetables. If possible, opt for less fatty or vegetarian/vegan food like Vegetable Christmas Pie, Roasted Potatoes with wild Mushroom Gravy; for desserts, you can opt for Vegan Chocolate Pots and Baked Apples topped with ice-cream.
Gifts that are good for all
Wrapping your gifts in plastic and adding that sparkly bow seems pretty, but when each household does that for at least 4 people, it becomes an environmental hazard. Prioritising your family’s smiles is a must though, isn’t it?
- Go for wrapping your gifts in (recyclable) papers instead. If you desire aesthetic beauty, you can dye the paper with coffee and use natural fibre ropes to wrap it in.
- The much-awaited greeting-cards can be created with hand-made paper too. It looks pretty, and shows you put effort in it!
- Send out organic wines, organic chocolates or home-made sweets as a gift, needing no extra packaging at all. Opt for the products that are sold in your country or region to avoid transportation costs and pollution.
- To give the planet some more love, you can also gift your kith and kin plantable notebooks or seed pen/pencils. Search for local organic and natural brand to be a responsible Santa.
This Christmas, celebrate with the planet itself. Change the conventional ways of celebration and go for eco-consciousness. Stay at home to be safe from diseases, lessen the pollution rates, and celebrate in calm and quiet environments. Happy Holidays!
