Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
December 28, 2025 Sustainable Development Goals
The winter holidays are a time of joy, gatherings with loved ones, festive preparations, and exchanging gifts. But they also put additional strain on the environment. As we bid farewell to the old year and welcome in the new, it's important to remember nature and celebrate the holidays with care for ourselves and the planet.
During the holidays, we use more resources: preparing festive meals, buying gifts in plastic packaging, using electricity for fairy lights, and traveling by plane and car to visit friends or go on vacation. Even small changes in habits can reduce negative impact on nature and support sustainable development.
Gifts: Familiar but Toxic
Gifts are an integral part of the holidays. But surveys show that people often receive gifts that are not what they expected, and some of them end up in the trash. During the Christmas and New Year holidays, household waste increases sharply – by 25-30 percent in the US and Europe.
Beautiful packaging and shiny ribbons only bring joy for a few minutes before they become waste. Many traditional gifts—shower gel, shampoo, cosmetics—may contain microplastics and surfactants, which are harmful to the environment and human health.
Electronic devices also have an environmental impact. New smartphones, computers, and gadgets require resources to manufacture, and e-waste pollutes soil and water. Before purchasing new devices, it's worth considering whether they are truly necessary.
Eco-friendly and creative gifts
Gifts can be both pleasant and environmentally friendly. For example, they could be tickets to a tour or a workshop on a fun skill, a handmade scarf, or shared activities with friends and children.
If you're choosing tangible gifts, you can make the packaging yourself using recyclable or reusable materials. Christmas tree decorations created with children will bring much more joy than store-bought ones.
Christmas tree and holiday decorations
Environmentalists recommend buying a live tree, not a plastic one, and doing so at official markets with proof of legal harvesting.
The World Wildlife Fund suggests "extending the life" of your Christmas tree after the holidays: branches can be used as supports for climbing plants, and needles can be used for aromatic baths, hair masks, mattress filling, or even cold remedies. If your tree is in a pot, it can be transplanted to your garden after the holidays.
To save energy, turn on Christmas lights only when needed and turn them off when leaving the house or going to bed.
A festive table with care for nature
It is important to approach cooking responsibly: buy local products,
Buy ingredients in bulk at a time to reduce packaging, use reusable bags instead of plastic bags, and calculate food quantities in advance to minimize waste – after all, a third of all food in the world is wasted.
Leftover food and unwanted gifts can be traded, sold, or donated to those who truly need them. These small habits will help make the holidays both joyful and eco-friendly.
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.