It’s that time of year when the air is filled with joy, love, and festivities. As Christmas approaches, everyone is busy celebrating, treating loved ones, and enjoying daily surprises from their advent calendars. Why not add a green twist this year? Let’s embrace the 12 Days of Sustainable Living Challenges – a creative and impactful way to adopt eco-friendly habits while inspiring others to join in. I promise this journey will make your holiday season more fun and meaningful!
Day 1 / 15th Dec: Decorate with Upcycled Materials
Image credited to Kristina Kutleša on Unsplash
Ever thought about turning trash into festive treasure, and bringing a touch of sustainability to your holiday decor? Your upcycled and handmade items can add a unique charm to your home while helping the planet.
Still not convinced? Some believe the world’s most prized violins were crafted not from rare, expensive wood, but from discarded pieces. Antonio Stradivari, unable to afford the finest materials, sourced much of his wood from local harbours, often from old, forgotten lumber. Over time, it’s been suggested that the unique conditions of the wood – exposed to microbes and weather – enhanced its structure and created unparalleled resonance.
So, if discarded lumber could be transformed into treasures, imagine what you can create from old jars, fabrics, or even scraps! Plus there are plenty of upcycling ideas online like Pinterest and YouTube for inspiration!
Day 2 / 16th Dec: Switch to LED lights
Image credited to Gautam Krishnan on Unsplash
Lights have become integral to our festive celebrations, adding magic to our homes and streets. Despite their beauty, these twinkling lights can spike our energy consumption and greenhouse gases. So this holiday season let’s shine greener!
First, swap outdated string lights for energy-efficient LEDs or even solar-powered options for outdoors. LED Christmas lights use 80-90% less energy than traditional ones.
Here’s how to glow bight sustainably:
- Switch to LED Christmas Lights or even Solar Christmas Lights.
- Use Timers to manage display hours.
- Limit the daily light run times.
- Turn off indoor lights when you’re out.
- Recycle old lights responsibly.
Day 3 / 17th Dec: Have a Zero-Waste Shopping Trip
Photo taken at Maya’s Refillables
Whether doing your regular grocery run or hunting for special festive ingredients, going zero-waste can be a fun and eco-conscious adventure. Here‘s a list of ideas:
- Visit your local farmer’s markets for fresh, packaging-free produce.
- Visit the zero-waste shops to refill your pantry, cleaning supplies, and shampoo… and don’t forget your reusable shopping bags and clean containers!
- Choose loose fruits and veggies in supermarkets to avoid plastic packaging.
- Shop secondhand items in charity shops.
- Opt for products with minimal and eco-friendly packaging – glass is endlessly recyclable, cardboard decomposes easily, and aluminium is widely recyclable.
- Planning your meals to avoid overbuying and only buy what you need.
Day 4 / 18th Dec: Choose Planet-friendly Gifts
Photo by @thejunkyardjournals on Instagram
Gifting doesn’t have to cost the planet – literally! Sustainable gifts are the best gifts, here are some thoughtful ideas:
- Experience gifts such as a cooking class, outdoor adventures, or a weekend getaway are the perfect options, ensuring memorable moments without excess material impact.
- DIY handmade gifts are wonderful – they reduce the energy and pollution from the manufacturing process and add a personal touch to your gift. Homemade candles, a recipe scrapbook or a knitted scarf can’t be more perfect.
- Give the gift of nature such as potted indoor plants, seed kits or a bee hotel.
- Pre-loved treasures such as secondhand books, collectables and vintage fashion make unique and sustainable options.
- Choose sustainable brands as they prioritise environmental responsibilities and ethical practices. Check out Sustainable Beauty Treats for Stocking Fillers for gift ideas.
- Wrap gifts wisely and say goodbye to single-use wrapping! Use recyclable wrapping paper, fabric, old newspapers or reusable gift bags.
Day 5 / 19th Dec: Support Local Businesses
Image credited to Tim Mossholder on Unsplash
There are so many ways to support your local, small or family-owned businesses this holiday season, here are some easy and impactful ways:
- Grab coffee: Catch up with friends at the local family-run cafes instead of the chains.
- Shop small: Pick unique gifts from local craft markets instead of larger retailers/eCommerce.
- Boost their presence: Follow, share, and comment on your local businesses’ social media pages.
- Leave a review: Share your positive experiences online to help them grow.
Your support makes a big difference!
Day 6 / 20th Dec: Use Green Transport
Image credited to John Crozier on Unsplash
The holiday season is full of trips – heading to Christmas markets, meeting friends, visiting family… Why not make those journeys greener this year?
Opting for public transport can drastically cut your carbon footprint. Taking the train instead of driving for medium-length trips can reduce emissions by 80%, while swapping a domestic flight for a train cuts emissions by 86%!
Buses are another eco-friendly choice, with average 75 grams of CO₂ per passenger-km in the UK. This is less than half the amount of CO₂ emitted by cars, which emit about 158 grams per passenger-km.
And don’t forget the simplest methods – Walk or Cycle for shorter distances, and Carpool with friends or family whenever possible.
Day 7 / 21st Dec: Give Back
Photo of a Kindness Tree
The holiday season is also a perfect time to spread kindness and brighten lives. Here’s how we can give back creatively and meaningfully:
- Share Your Talents: Are you a musician? Play at a senior home. Good at baking? Bake for a fundraising event.
- Make Donations: Support causes close to your heart! Donate to your favourite charities, sponsor gifts for a vulnerable child, or provide essential items to shelters.
- Volunteer Your Time: Help at a food bank, animal shelter, or community nature reservation task.
- Random Acts of Kindness: Pay for someone’s coffee, write thank-you notes, or lend a hand to a neighbour.
Day 8 / 22nd Dec: Spend Time in Nature
Amid the holiday hustle, take a moment to step outside and reconnect with nature. Imagine a peaceful walk through a frosty park, crunching leaves underfoot and feeling the crisp winter air. You could visit a nearby forest, explore a local nature reserve, or simply take a quiet stroll in your neighbourhood. Time in nature helps us reflect, recharge, and reconnect – not just with the world around us but with ourselves. Nature also offers a simple yet profound reminder of why protecting our planet is so important.
How will you connect with nature today?
Come back tomorrow for Day 9 / 23rd Dec and another sustainable actionable tip!
