The end of the year is upon us again, and with it the holidays. Stores have been putting on their Christmas attire for weeks, and more and more programs are being organized so that we can surrender to the holiday of love, while many people are still working hard at their workplaces to complete their tasks.
For some, it's the most beautiful time of the year, and for others, it's the most stressful time of the year, mostly revolving around travel, food, and gifts. But let's not forget about our planet either! We've brought you a few tips to make this year's holiday as green as possible.
Christmas tree
We couldn't start with anything other than the symbol of Christmas, the Christmas tree!
But before we get into the details, take our quiz to find out which Christmas tree suits you best:
If you're happy with the answer, we can move on! Let's see what the options are:
Cut down tree
Fortunately, many cities in Hungary grow pine trees on tree farms. These places include Zala, Somogy and Veszprém counties, which are mostly family businesses. Their goal is to provide the population with Christmas trees.
We find it important to clarify here that the trees available for purchase at the fairs are not cut down from random forests, but from tree plantations that are then replanted. Depending on the size, a tree can live for up to 10-20 years before being cut down, during which time they clean the air!
If you choose this option, it is worth keeping in mind to buy your fir tree from the producer closest to you. The ecological footprint of your Christmas tree can increase if it is transported many kilometers by car.
A good solution in the capital is www.online-fenyo.hu , who deliver trees in and around Budapest by bicycle for carbon-neutral transportation. What's more, they only cut down trees when they are ordered, so no unnecessary trees are left standing.
What should you do with your tree after the decorations are removed? Find out about the tree collection options in your area. In this case, you will need to place the tree at the designated location at the time announced in advance , which will otherwise be chopped up and used as fuel, providing heating and electricity for several households.
While burning is not 100% environmentally friendly, there are other alternatives! If you have a garden, compost the pine needles instead of throwing them away. But be aware that these leaves decompose slowly due to the resin, so it is better to spread them in a mixed compost in layers of 3-4 centimeters. The compost made from this will only be ideal for plants that prefer acidic soil due to the Ph value of the pine needles.
The branches of the tree can be chopped up and used as mulch, but if you don't cut them so small, they can even be used as stakes in the vegetable garden. In addition, the trunk can be used to make great decorations for the garden, or even indoors!
Artificial pine
Artificial fir trees can be considered environmentally friendly if the tree is used for at least 20 years. Since they are mostly manufactured in China and non-degradable PVC is used for their production, they consume a lot of resources and may even contain lead, a substance harmful to the Earth. Think carefully before choosing this one! Ask yourself, are we ready to look at the same tree every year for 20 years? Also, keep in mind that we should look for a version manufactured in Europe and one made of PE.
Renting a live pine tree
For years, we have had the opportunity to rent spherical pine trees at Oázis Horticulture. As part of the promotion, you can return the marked potted live pine purchased from them between January 2-8, 2024 and get 50% off. Details can be found by clicking here.
What happens to the tree after it is returned? Most returned trees are delivered to their final location by the horticultural community with the help of NGOs and associations, where the trees are planted.
If you have this opportunity, learn about pine tree care on this page .
Round tree
You can buy a spherical tree in most garden centers, but we only recommend this if you have a garden or know someone who would be happy to take the tree in . Here too, it is worth keeping in mind that the selected tree comes from a local tree farm or one that is close to you. Its care is similar to that of a borrowed tree, it is recommended to keep it in a heated place as little as possible, and to pay attention to its watering and humidification. You can find out how to plant a pine tree at this link .
If we feel we can keep the tree alive and transplant it into a larger pot every year, this is the most sustainable solution in the long run, as this way we only have to buy the tree once.
Other alternatives and decorations
No one has to stick to a classic Christmas tree! There are, for example, DIY options. All you need for this tree is 3-5 cm thick branches, a drill, a thicker block of wood or an old slat for the base, and a longer support branch. You can even get a similar result from waste or scrap wood.
Source: 5percblog.hu
If we don't insist on the tree experience, we can even decorate tree branches in vases, which are great additions to Christmas decorations.
As for the decorations, more and more Hungarian designers are creating more and more beautiful ones! For example, the lovely birds of the Eperfa , but we can also choose from countless options at Meska . However, instead of buying them, we can even make the decorations ourselves. We can think about fruits and dried fruits. Apples, oranges, lemons, and carnations can look very nice on the tree. But we can also experiment with gingerbread figures and solutions made from salt and flour clay , as well as homemade sugar !
Last but not least , ask around to family members and friends if they have any Christmas tree decorations that they're tired of. You can even swap them with them for a while! But it's also great if you renovate your old ones.
When it comes to string lights, buy LED versions , and be careful during the holidays not to leave lights and decorative lights on unnecessarily.
Finally, let's consider how much time we actually spend at home during the holidays, and is it really worth buying a Christmas tree, or isn't it better to just decorate our home for the Advent season?
Dinner
To put sustainability on the table, we recommend the following steps for Christmas dinner:
Don't overplan!
The first and most important step is to be aware of how many people you are cooking for, so that you don't over-plan the menu. Also, think about whether you really need three main courses and four types of cake. If possible, talk to the family about who will do what, so that you don't have to do all the preparation on one or two people. If you have the number of people, ask them about their preferences so that nothing is prepared unnecessarily: someone may be on a dairy- or gluten-free, or may be on a meat- or fish-free diet.
According to research by Nébih , 1.8 million tons of food waste is generated in Hungary annually , which is more than 60 kg per capita. Let's not feed the trash at Christmas!
If we have overdone it, whether we want to or not, let's put our creative selves first and find solutions to save leftovers! The recipes on Cookpad , Mindmegette and Nosalty are all designed to help us with these processes.
Also, pay attention to proper storage! Cover the prepared food as soon as possible and put it in the refrigerator with a lid, in a box, as microbes from the air get into it, which multiply quickly at room temperature. Also, find out how long foods can be safely stored in the refrigerator, and which ones can be frozen. You can read more about this on the Greenfo website here .
Last but not least , we can also think of those who do not have the opportunity to eat fresh, cooked food in a warm home at Christmas. If you are happy to offer leftovers that are still suitable for human consumption, the Budapest Bike Maffia will help deliver them to those in need. You can read more about this here: www.etelmentes.hu
Vegan and vegetarian options
It's no secret that plant-based foods are more environmentally friendly, right? Not only do they require fewer resources to produce and process, but they also reduce the environmental impact of animal husbandry. The entire menu doesn't have to be meat-free. Just one dish can help balance out your meat consumption.
Meatless dishes can also be very diverse.
Shopping
When it comes to shopping, after planning, make sure to write a list based on which you can purchase the necessary ingredients . During this period, stores promise us a lot of sales, which can easily lead to overspending, but if we stick to our list, we are less likely to return home with more items than planned.
If we can, let's support local producers even in this time! Let's buy Hungarian products, if possible, without packaging. Let's look at the market near us, help domestic farms. Even if we can't buy everything from them, we help our environment a lot by purchasing mostly domestic products.
Food ordering
Instead of cooking, you can also order food. In this paragraph, we have collected the places in the capital where you can order specifically vegetarian and vegan dishes.
Las Vegans has put together the oil and sugar-free delicacies in collaboration with the dietician of Peace on the Plate . Here you can order fish soup, stuffed cabbage and bagels, among others: https://lasvegans.eu/karacsonyi-menurendeles/
At Napfényes Restaurant, you can order not only exciting vegan versions of Hungarian dishes, but also plant-based versions of dishes that break away from tradition: https://rendeles.napfenyesetterem.hu/
Last but not least, we recommend the Élelem restaurant , where meat-free versions of Christmas dishes and desserts are available. You can find both traditional and truly innovative dishes here: https://pest.elelemetterem.hu/karacsonyra-rendelheto/
Munch can also be a super green option, which is also a food saver, but you have to be really spontaneous for this: https://munch.hu
Gift giving
When it comes to gifts, there are so many sustainable solutions to choose from!
Hungarian products
Let's start with the greenest version : purchasing Hungarian products. If we can, we should buy from Hungarian designers and brands. This way , in addition to the gift traveling less, we can also make sure that we supported a domestic brand with our money. We can look for specifically sustainable businesses within this! Let's get inspired by the collection of greenguide.hu ! But we can also think small and buy craft beers, food, soaps, and cosmetics.
With our gift, we can encourage our recipient to live an environmentally friendly lifestyle! Whether it's a book or any object that promotes sustainable everyday life: a water bottle, canvas bag, or packaging-free hygiene products can be a good surprise. These can be purchased in packaging-free stores and environmentally friendly webshops.
In addition, anything that is recycled or reusable is welcome! Buy second hand and products that are durable, high-quality, and won't end up in the trash after a few uses.
Buy toys for children made from natural materials to prevent the plastic mountain from growing at home. Or you can even find used, but seemingly new treasures in Facebook groups!
Let's give the gift of an experience
Concert, theater, cinema, hiking, sightseeing, wellness? What is your gift recipient's favorite pastime? Instead of piling up yet another unnecessary item for them, surprise them with a program! Look around at sustainable workshops, go pottery together, try something new. If you don't have a fixed idea, make handmade coupons that they can redeem every month, and fix the program together. If you would like to explore the domestic hiking spots, head to the Blue Tour !
We now have more and more options for environmentally friendly gifts
Make the gift yourself .
If you can't get into the mood for Christmas at all, maybe gift-making will help! You can give your loved ones gifts like chutney, jam, or tea blends , but this also includes face cream, body lotion, soap, and body butter made from natural ingredients.
If time permits and we would like to experiment, feel free to knit, embroider something, sew a fun pattern on a T-shirt or canvas bag . Take out the colored pencils, paint, and draw or paint our favorite shared memory! Or we can even put together a photo album . These are much more valuable gifts than a randomly purchased product.
What to pack
You can start with recycled paper wrappers, which you can buy at almost any drugstore. But natural wax paper, which you can get at the post office, can also be a good solution. And instead of glue, use string for tying!
If we don't want to be victims of paper waste, let's look at the bottom of our closet and find gift bags that are still in acceptable condition! Feel free to use them again this year!
Additionally, canvas bags or small canvas bags are great alternatives for packaging, so we can still reduce packaging waste. Plus, the recipient can reuse them later!
But if we have unused clothing at home, we can even sew packaging from it, reusing pieces that have been sitting in the closet for a long time.
A few tips for gift giving
Make a list within a pre-agreed framework (price, quantity). This will help your loved ones avoid buying things you don't need or like.
Finally, before we start gift hunting, let's think about what gift-giving means to us. What message do we want to convey with the gift? Surely we want to prove our love with an expensive item?
Let's write one more sentence about the trip!
We are slowly coming to the end of our article, but we wanted to briefly write a paragraph about environmentally friendly options for travel.
Because of the holidays, many of us get in cars and even planes. On the one hand, if we can, we should choose public transportation options: travel by bus or train.
If you absolutely have to travel by car, but you have two empty seats in the back of the car, advertise it on oszkar.com , for example . You never know who is looking for a ride in the exact same direction!
And if we are planning a trip to another country for Christmas, let's consider whether we can't have similar experiences at home?
Don't forget to clean!
Don't worry, this is really almost the last thought, and besides, we don't have much to say here except: CYCLE!
A Christmas gift from CYCLE to you!
If you want to keep your home clean and free of toxins during the holidays, browse our products and take advantage of our Christmas sale: with purchases over 15,000 HUF, we will give you a 10X selection as a gift! Add the product to your cart to redeem the discount.
In this article , you can read useful tips about general cleaning.
Travel essentials
As the holidays approach, it's important to pay attention to our own well-being in addition to eco-friendly solutions. You don't have to follow all the advice here right away! Choose the ones that are most comfortable for you and incorporate them into your next few weeks.
It's easy to overwork yourself in the midst of the end-of-year rush, so remember that the holidays are all about recharging and spending quality time with your loved ones. Remember that an idyllic, cozy Christmas is not only about green solutions, but also about taking care of yourself and those who are important to you.
We wish you pleasant, environmentally friendly holidays!
