Environmental awareness and principles of sustainability gaining ground among people, a Green Christmas with eco-friendly decorations And the gift is becoming popular. In an age of increased consumption, sustainability as a way of life is finding more customers, especially as a means of reducing the excesses that arise around festivals.
With the growing urgency to make the festival sustainable, there is an increase in celebrating green festivals with minimal waste. Sustainable decorations made using items like natural garlands, floral decorations and textiles are gaining traction this Christmas.
In Delhi, the streets are filled with red, yellow and white chrysanthemumsmarigolds, poinsettias, and crotons. The hospitality and tourism industry uses various floral decorations such as thuja bushes and natural Christmas trees such as spruce, pine or fir that are decorated with eco-friendly and reusable decorations. Red and orange gladioli, parrot’s beak flowers, red and maroon dahlias and white marigolds, red amaryllis and salvia splendens are the most popular floral choices at Christmas time.
Wild red berries, cranberries and other fruits are often used at Christmas time. (Photo: Swasti Pachauri)
natural garlands made of pine cones, berries, leaves, stems, pampas grass; dining tables decorated with fruit salad in the shape of a Christmas tree; Using herbs and spices such as star anise, cinnamon sticks and dried citrus slices to decorate Christmas trees – these are just a few of the many ways to celebrate a ‘green Christmas’.
Similarly, while creating, making use of the abundant potential of indigenous arts and crafts Christmas decorations A good way to increase the livelihood of local artisans. For example, jute, coir, coconut shells, sugarcane, bamboo, pine cones, and palm leaves can be used to make Christmas trees or decorations. Woolen toys, fabric, terracotta bells and crafts, clay crafts, origami, and papier-mâché can also be used.
For example, the use of LED lights and solar lanterns also make for an energy-efficient choice. Similarly, recycling plastic Christmas trees reduces the ecological impact.
Many schools and educational institutions also have competitions around sustainable Christmas decorations. According to reports, the Municipality of Delhi Primary School in Andrews Ganj was involved in sustainable Christmas decorations and celebrations in collaboration with civil society organizations.
Natural Christmas tree decorated with woolen toys at Dastkar Winter Fair 2024. (Photo: Swasti Pachauri)
Civil society organizations and startups are taking initiatives that put their philosophy to rest Environmental awareness and alternative means of income generation. Training programs for urban self-help groups (SHGs) can be organized around festivals to make eco-friendly products for more green income initiatives to minimize the impact on ecology. Such initiatives reinforce the principles of a circular economy that aims to reduce, reuse and recycle materials and products.
Increasingly around Christmas, farmers and gardeners nurture their plant nurseries with these varieties of flowers, trees and shrubs. Aluva State Seed Farm – declared India’s first carbon-neutral farm in 2022 – is ready to plant a green Christmas to celebrate this year, according to reports. Along these lines, farmers in rural and urban areas can be encouraged to grow Christmas flowers, fruits and trees, which can be directly supplied to the hospitality and tourism industries, business establishments and others interested in celebrating a ‘circular Christmas’!
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