The year-end holiday season is often a time of excess. From presents, food, decorations to parties, the festive celebration takes its toll not just on our bank accounts, but on the environment as well. With a little effort and imagination, we can reduce the environmental impact of the holiday season.

Here are some ideas to help celebrate the season while caring for the earth.

Reuse gift wrappers

If you’re buying wrapping paper, choose one made of recycled paper or paper that can be recycled. Take note that wrapping paper that contains foil, glitter or plastic cannot be recycled. However, the most eco-friendly way to wrap your presents is to reuse wrapping paper from last year’s presents. Better still, get creative with old comics, magazines or calendars as wrappers!

DIY or go digital with cards

How about making your own cards with recycled materials instead? Homemade Christmas cards are thoughtful, personal and better appreciated. Electronic cards with fun and interesting designs are becoming the norm these days. You can do your part for the environment by sending your holiday well wishes online.

If you still prefer store-bought cards, choose those made from sustainably sourced or recycled paper. Do avoid glittery cards because the glitter makes the cards difficult to recycle.

Reduce food waste

It’s natural to succumb to all that delicious looking seasonal treats when you are catering for family and friends and you are likely to end up with more food than you can finish. To avoid food wastage, plan your meals carefully so you are not buying more food than you and your guests can eat.

If you have left over food, don’t throw it out. Freeze it for future meals, get your friends to take some home or share it with the others in your area through food waste apps such as Olio.

Choose sustainable food packaging

During the two month circuit breaker in 2020, Singapore households generated an extra 1,334 tonnes of plastic waste, equivalent to the weight of about 90 double-decker buses, from takeaway and food deliveries, says a study by NUS alumni. Do your part for the environment by choosing to cater from F&B outlets that offer sustainable food packaging.

Music cafe One Bar Cafe, Japanese eatery Tatsuya SG as well as catering company The Plattering Co are offering some of its deliveries and takeaway orders in Mamashop’s EcoHusk lunch boxes so as to reduce the use of single-use plastics.

Gift sustainably

These days, gifting sustainably isn’t complex with many retailers selling gifts that are good for the environment. Your family and friends will certainly appreciate practical and eco-friendly gifts such as Mamashop’s range of practical and eco-friendly gifts such as lunch boxes, mugs, stationery or kitchenware which are made out of recycled or environmentally friendly materials.

Skip disposables

Skip disposables and use fabric napkins and tablecloths and reusable cutlery, cups, straws and plates that can be washed and used again. Request that your guests hold on to the same set and use it throughout the party so that they don’t use more than needed.

Light up with LED or less

Choose LED lights for your holiday decorations as they consume less energy and switch them off at night, saving electricity and money. Do consider the amount of decorations you’re putting up - using fewer lights saves energy and is better for the environment.

Small changes to the way you celebrate the holiday season will make a huge impact towards saving the environment, especially when it's a collective effort by the community. Happy holidays!