6 Ways to Have a Mindful Filipino Christmas
Christmas is such a joyful season with parties, reunions, and gift-giving here and there. Other people’s laughter and the general vibe of the holiday season are very infectious, that it’s easy to lose track of one’s consumption in this months-long celebration.
The truth is, amidst the Christmas traditions and merrymaking, there’s no denying that the holidays can take a huge toll on our environment. From the gift wrappers we use to the amount of food we unintentionally waste, we throw away so much into our landfills (or worse).
That’s why, this Christmas season, it would be nice think of the Earth with every action we take or every item we purchase. Our planet has been providing us a home, bountiful food, and a breathtaking paradise whether it’s Christmas or not, so let our mindfulness be our gift to it!
Get crafty
There’s definitely something extra special about handcrafted gifts. The personal touch, the time, and effort given in personally making each item is irreplaceable. Surely, your friends and family would appreciate receiving these handmade gifts from you.
Recycle paper and old packaging as gift wrappers
Pages from old magazines, newspapers, and brown paper would make a perfect recycled gift wrapper. You can draw or paint on them as well if you’re feeling extra creative. Used boxes and paper bags from your shopping sprees can also be turned into beautiful Christmas packaging.
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Gifts don’t have to be material things
If you love cooking for your loved ones, why not give them something that you’ve made in your kitchen? It could be cookies, desserts, pastries, or any of their favorite food — this way, you can have a personalized gift for everybody.
Another non-material gift you could give are experiences. Find the best deals or discounted vouchers for an out-of-town trip or staycation, a spa or massage session, or fun activities that the recipient would enjoy. This would mean zero waste gift-giving, too.
Make an eco-friendly Christmas tree and decorations
Invest in a sturdy Christmas tree and make sure to care for it so that it lasts a long time. Most artificial Christmas trees in the country are made of plastic, and it would be wasteful and harmful to the planet if you keep ditching your old tree and buying a new one. You can also try looking for alternatives — perhaps you could use your potted plant and decorate it to look like a Christmas tree. Making DIY decorations is another option. But if you’re not feeling crafty, you can opt for secondhand or non-plastic items instead.
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Buy local
Support locally and sustainably made products. There are lots of local businesses that you could check out, and their products range from fashion pieces to furniture. You also have a ton of options when it comes to eco-friendly or zero-waste products. It would be a nice way to promote the advocacy for a more sustainable lifestyle.
You can do your eco-friendly Christmas shopping at the Old Manila Eco Market at Plaza de Roma in front of the Manila Cathedral every Friday to Sunday up to December 31. A variety of eco-friendly and mostly Filipino-made products such as jewelry, clothes, food, and shampoo and conditioner bars await, giving you tons of choices.
Cut food waste
It can be difficult to gauge how much you should prepare especially if you have many guests coming over your house. Nevertheless, you should still try to plan your meals and make it your objective to not buy food items that no one will actually be eating. If you have leftovers, look for recipes that you can use, donate to those in need, share with your neighbors, or put your leftovers in a compost pile.
