Every year people around the world spend the Christmas holidays in the warmth of their homes, surrounded by their loved ones.
Candles, Christmas lights, decorations of all sorts and a Christmas tree contribute to the festive feeling and make our homes incredibly warm and cozy.
When I was little, my parents bought an artificial Christmas tree because at that time it was considered much more eco-friendly than the real one.
It seemed logical to me because, while other children’s parents had to buy a new Christmas tree every December – and throw it away after the holidays – we just had to take our tree out of the storage and put it back afterwards.
Nowadays, I try to avoid the plastic version of any products, including Christmas trees.
Last two winters, we decided to buy Christmas trees in a pot. Both trees were planted after the holiday season.
if you want to Buy a Christmas tree, but don’t know what to choose, here are some tips:
- if you have an artificial Christmas tree, keep using it as much as it lasts
Plastic Christmas trees have a carbon footprint* around 10 times greater than real trees of the same size. That means that an artificial tree should be used for 10 years, or more, to equal the environmental impact of a natural tree.
Artificial trees are usually not recyclable, it takes a lot of energy to produce them in the first place, and they are usually imported from other countries, which makes their carbon footprint rise.
- if you want to buy a natural tree, buy a tree that is grown somewhere in your area
That way, the carbon footprint produced through transport is reduced.
- if you have a possibility to plant it after the Christmas season, buy a potted tree
The good sides are more than obvious – the tree doesn’t end on the landfill, but continues to live, making your outdoors richer for one plant. Last two winters, our trees went to our family because they have a large yard with plenty of space.
Even if you don’t have a place to plant a tree after the holidays, there are different options. Some associations accept Christmas trees for planting, for example, some animal shelters and services that deal with the maintenance of green areas.
- check for the family farms in your area which sell Christmas trees
That way you can support local businesses and family farms in your area. Last year we bought a tree on a nearby family farm. The owners were incredibly hospitable and approachable, and we were more than happy to buy the tree from them and give them support.
- you can also rent a Christmas tree
Renting plants – including Christmas trees – is getting more and more popular. Instead of buying, some farms and companies offer to rent Christmas trees.
Have you found your perfect option? 🙂
*Carbon footprint – the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions associated with a person’s activities. The carbon footprint often includes the emissions of other greenhouse gases, such as methane (CH4), nitrous oxide, or chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).