It's Christmas time!
Hello, dear reader!
Continuing our journal on the topic of textile waste, this month we will dive into the world of Christmas! Let's find out more about the huge amount of waste we produce, a little bit about the clothing industry and how we can try to decrease these numbers to have a more sustainable festivity! We will also share some ideas on how to make your own Christmas decorations and gifts, to give some eco-friendly presents and, of course, how to produce less waste!
Before diving into this topic, let's take a quiz to test your knowledge about the waste we produce during Christmas!
Christmas: A Season of Excess
Christmas is a time to celebrate family, gratitude, and generosity. Yet, it also represents a period of excess marked by overproduction, consumerism, and, inevitably, significant waste.
In fact, during the holiday season, we generate 30% more waste than at any other time of the year.
In the UK alone, around 3 million tonnes of waste are produced annually, stemming from wrapping paper, greeting cards, cardboard packaging, Christmas lights, and food waste.
As the holiday season approaches, advertisements push us to buy more, with the subtle message that the greatest expression of love is through material gifts. This buying frenzy triggers a dopamine rush — the neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward. According to Jessica Andrews-Hanna, an associate professor of psychology at the University of Arizona, “Evidence from brain imaging shows that both giving and receiving gifts activate brain areas associated with pleasure, which in turn stimulates the release of dopamine.” This explains why consumer spending spikes so dramatically during Christmas.
Overconsumption and Clothing Waste
Fast fashion has dramatically reshaped our approach to clothing, encouraging impulsive purchases without considering the long-term social or environmental impacts, resulting in massive amounts of waste. Through targeted marketing and social media, particularly aimed at younger consumers who are heavily influenced by trends and advertisements, fast fashion drives overconsumption in the pursuit of social status, personal validation, and the desire to stay fashionable.
While statistics vary, it’s estimated that between 80 and 150 billion garments are produced and consumed globally each year. The majority of discarded clothing, which isn’t recycled or repurposed, ends up in landfills or is incinerated. What isn’t disposed of in this way is often sent to poorer countries, where it may either be sold or discarded, contributing further to the global waste crisis. Alarmingly, only about 15% of clothing sent to landfills is second-hand, meaning a staggering 85% of discarded garments have never been worn.
During the holiday season, these numbers surge as many individuals purchase new clothes as part of the tradition of starting fresh for the new year or simply as a way to celebrate. For instance, in the UK, families increase their clothing spending by 43% during Christmas.
So, you must be thinking: is it possible to have a more Sustainable Christmas and enjoy the festivities without generating so much waste? The answer is yes!
Raising awareness about sustainable consumption and incorporating new habits into our holiday traditions can significantly reduce waste. One of the best ways to reduce your environmental footprint during Christmas is through conscious consumption. This means choosing more sustainable alternatives, such as buying second-hand, renting items, or opting for eco-friendly and ethically-made gifts. The key is to focus on quality over quantity, and avoid the impulse to buy more than is necessary.
Here are some simple ideas to celebrate a more eco-friendly Christmas:
When you do need to buy something, consider second-hand stores, vintage shops, charity shops, or sustainable fashion retailers.
Regarding clothes, some fast fashion brands are also making strides by offering more eco-friendly options and labelling garments with sustainability tags.
Instead of throwing away old clothes or items you no longer need, consider donating them to charity shops.
These stores often see an influx of unwanted gifts and sale items during the holidays, so you might discover some great finds!
Alternatively, look for local online giveaway groups or donate to organizations that focus on the products you're hoping to give.
Here are the challenges of the month:
1. Swap Parties: A Fun Way to Refresh Your Wardrobe
One way to avoid consumerism and still get festive is by attending a clothing swap party, or even hosting your own! This is a great way to exchange clothes with friends, coworkers, or neighbors — you get rid of items you no longer want and pick up new ones without spending a dime or generating waste. It’s a sustainable and social way to refresh your wardrobe for the season.
Check out this guide on how to host your own swap party:
https://www.projectcece.com/blog/591/how-to-host-a-clothing-swap-party/
2. DIY and Upcycling Ideas
One of my favorite ways to give thoughtful gifts at Christmas is by making them myself. Whether it’s herbal salts, jams, homemade cookies, or cosmetics, I find that the effort and love put into DIY gifts make them so much more personal and special. If you're looking for inspiration, try making your own Christmas wreaths or decorations! I had the opportunity to attend a workshop last year at our association @Vestigium and it was really fun! I really recommend doing some decorations with your family or kids, it is a creative experience that brings everyone together!
Here is the tutorial of a fabric wreath:
3. Upcycling Mismatched Baubles for a Unique Touch
If you have a collection of mismatched Christmas tree baubles, or if you’re simply tired of using the same ones every year, here's a fun and creative way to upcycle them! Instead of tossing them, consider giving them a new life by turning them into DIY decorations, ornaments, or even gifts.
Not only will this add a personal touch to your holiday decor, but it’s also a great way to reduce waste and get crafty!
Take a look at this tutorial for scrap fabric twine bauble:
https://mypoppet.com.au/makes/scrap-fabric-twine-recycled-christmas-ornaments/
4. Eco-Friendly Gift Wrapping
One option to avoid wrapping paper is to give gifts in paper bags instead of wrapping them. It's a simple yet effective way to reuse bags, and it still looks thoughtful and festive.
Another creative way to avoid using wrapping paper is by wrapping gifts in fabric. For wrapping any kind of gift fabric is a perfect alternative. Not only does it reduce paper waste, but it also adds a personal, charming touch to your gift. The best part? The fabric can be reused year after year, making it a sustainable and stylish option for future gifts.
Take a look at the tutorial:
https://blog.spoonflower.com/2019/11/06/6-ways-to-wrap-a-gift-with-furoshiki/
Last-Minute Tip for a More Sustainable Christmas
As we dive into the holiday season, remember that the most important thing is to be present with our loved ones and create lasting memories. Christmas is about connection, not consumption. To help you make more sustainable choices, here’s a fantastic infographic with 12 creative ideas for gift-giving that minimize waste. I think you’ll find them truly inspiring!
We wish you great holidays and don't forget to share with us your challenges! See you next year!
Hi everyone! I’m Marilia, and I volunteer at Udruga Vestigium, where I write projects, coordinate, and facilitate activities. I’m passionate about reducing waste and finding everyday solutions to decrease our carbon footprint. Since joining this project, I’ve learned a great deal about the textile industry and its environmental impact, which has motivated me to share important information about clothing awareness.
Over the next three newsletters, I hope to inspire you with tips on how to reduce clothing purchases, what to do with clothes instead of tossing them, how to create new items from old fabrics, and how to develop sustainable habits!
See you next month!
Marilia
Author
You can't wait to dive into the topic and meet other people involved?
Here are some local events that you can join this month!
| When? | What? | Where? |
|---|---|---|
| December 8th, 10-12am | Advent Party | Szatyor Association, Etyek, Hungary |
| December 14th, 10-12am | Christmas Clothing Exchange | Udruga Vestigium, Zageb, Croatia |
Szatyor Association
Szatyor is hosting an Advent party and everyone is welcome!
What to expect:
♻️ A winter clothing exchange, bring any clothes you'd like to swap!
🎄 A Christmas ornament workshop to make sustainable decorations from reused materials.
🍪 A festive atmosphere and Christmas cookies to share!
We are excited to invite you to our Christmas Clothing Exchange.🎅🎄 🤶🏼♻️
Let’s exchange festive clothes and enjoy this wonderful time of the year !🙌🏻😍
Here's how it works:
1️⃣ Meet with one of our volunteers
2️⃣ Bring your nicest unwanted (seasonal) clothes to donate, max. 5 pieces or just come along. Only clothes! No clothes for kids, underwear, socks, etc.!
3️⃣ Choose up to 5 pieces of clothing for free.
👕 Why do we organize a clothes exchange, you may ask?
🌱 Firstly, it promotes sustainability and reduces waste. By giving your clothes a new life, you contribute to a more eco-friendly lifestyle.
🌟Secondly, it's a great opportunity to refresh your wardrobe without spending a dime! Who doesn't love free shopping?😉
Let's come together to make a positive impact and embrace a greener future! 🌿
You were wondering what else we've been up to?
Implementation Meeting
From November 22nd to 24th, the management team got together at the Knof office in Krsko, Slovenia to talk about the advancement of the project. We meet online every month but this time we had the opportunity to spend time together, reflect on what we have already achieved and to discuss future plans.
We are excited for what is to come!
If you aren't a subscriber yet, you enjoyed this journal and want to be notified when we release the next ones: It's not too late!
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