At Christmas, everyone exchanges gifts. However, we often do not care to hand out gifts in a way that does not harm the environment. The Pope is inviting us to choose a different lifestyle this Christmas. Let’s see how it goes …
1. Avoid Excessive Consumption
Christmas is never a celebration of commercial consumerism, appearance, useless gifts, or extravagance. Rather, it is a celebration of welcoming the Lord into the heart with joy. Why not use our own products when handing out gifts? You can make good gifts by hand.
2. Help or Serve Others
We often think only of material gifts. But there are also non-material gifts. Do something to help others or do a service without anyone knowing. It will always be active in the minds of others.
3. Take an Interest in Local Products
The choice of local products will support the small businesses of the poor. It will also help reduce pollution caused by long-distance travel and transportation. Above all, it helps to respect nature.
4. Respect the Work
We can respect nature by trying to buy eco-friendly products that have less impact on the environment throughout our life cycle. Using sticks made from recycled and recyclable materials, cosmetics, clothing made from eco-friendly materials, and seasonal food products also enhance respect for nature.
5. Adopt Eco-friendly Packaging
Every year at Christmas, millions of dollars worth of gift-wrapping paper are thrown away. This action is reported to increase Christmas waste by 20%. Wrapping gifts in paper is relatively expensive and can lead to pollution. This is because metalized, glossy, and plasticized paper packaging cannot be reused. To protect the environment, the best way is to use your gifts in a sustainable and environmentally friendly manner.