No matter how you observe the winter holidays in your home, our PTO Friends of Sustainability coordinator, Katrin, has curated resources that can help you celebrate the season with sustainable ideas designed to make a positive difference in the environment for years to come.  Take a peek at Katrin's tips and see how easy it is being green throughout the holiday season—and beyond!

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1.) CHRISTMAS TREE

Don't have a Christmas tree yet? Why not consider a sustainable option this year! You can purchase a spruce tree, pot it, and then return it for replanting! All it takes is a quick trip to Kasteel Duivenvoorde, in the neighboring city of Voorschoten.

 

Visit https://www.kasteelduivenvoorde.nl/activiteiten/2020/kerstbomenverkoop/ for all the details.

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2.) SUSTAINABLE GIFT-WRAPPING

The internet offers plenty of resources for sustainable gift ideas, gift-wrapping and much more. (https://www.treehugger.com/eco-friendly-alternatives-wrapping-paper-4858648)

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3.) SHOP LOCAL

While the Puur Natuur Markt in Wassenaar Centrum has been canceled for Dec. 19th due to COVID measures, you can still shop local Christmas markets via Facebook groups.  You'll find a vast array of homemade/handmade gifts, upcycling projects, and artisan specialties that are better for the planet AND support local businesses in these challenging times.

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https://www.facebook.com/groups/3736733786346244/

 

4.) INTERNET SOURCES FOR GREEN LIVING

I love following a German website on Instagram that is also available in English: https://www.smarticular.net/en/ . It offers smart and realistic tips in bite-sized formats that are easy to incorporate into my life. I can simply choose one of those ideas they are offering. Great for the environment and for my sustainable consciousness without feeling completely overwhelmed:).  

 

5.) UPCOMING VIRTUAL COFFEE  

Interested in sharing ideas for a more sustainable way of life—without feeling any pressure to do it all at once? Looking forward to having a more clutter-free and serene home in 2021? Or maybe you're even ready to change some things on a bigger scale? Let's meet for a virtual coffee at the end of January! More information to come. Enjoy your holidays, and I look forward to meeting you!

 

- Katrin and the PTO Friends of Sustainability Team