Leading our way to a Sustainable Christmas I Blog By Navika, 13, Noida

Leading our way to a Sustainable Christmas

Festivals are the eagerly anticipated time of the year with traditions, gatherings, lots of food, music and plenty of eye-catching decorations. Be it the Hindu festival of Diwali or the Christian festival of Christmas, we all love to share cultures, moments and bond with each other on such special occasions.  The waste generated, energy, and food consumption during these festivals is an important factor to consider worldwide. We must tread thoughtfully and think about the betterment of our planet. Christmas, with its twinkling lights and festive cheer, is a time for joy and togetherness. It’s a great opportunity to celebrate Christmas in an eco-friendlier manner.

Sweets are an integral part of any celebration. Every achievement or milestone in one’s life is celebrated with sweets. In festivals, the demand for sweets like cakes and pastries increases. In order to minimize food wastage, bakeries could bake special items on order as they have low-shelf life. Every year, during Christmas, we love to deck the halls with artificial lighting, trees and decorations that are generally non-biodegradable. Instead of cutting corners to brighten up our homes we could create our own handmade decorations adding a dash of personal touch and a jar full of love to them. Additionally, we could use locally grown Indian ferns instead of purchasing pine trees made up of plastic. Receiving or giving someone a gift is always thrilly and imagine how fun it would be to share that present with your loved ones. This holiday season, we can try and be more thoughtful about the gifts we buy and for a change, we could share an experience like a movie or a pottery workshop with our near and dear ones as a pleasant and rejuvenation outing for everyone. 

In conclusion, by making small changes we can leave a bigger impact. Every action is a drop into the ocean and we all must walk the talk by practicing sustainable tips on Christmas. So, this Christmas let’s be like elves leaving a lighter footprint on the world. Remember the words of Scrooge, “I will honour Christmas in my heart and try to keep it all the year. Let’s make every day a little more sustainable and not just Christmas Day!”

As the snow falls gently, Let’s remember Earth.

And with a green heart, A sustainable birth.

To a Christmas with joy, peace and grace, 

Leaving a lighter footprint, in this special place.

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