A decorative and eco-friendly Christmas table is possible!
Has Christmas been taken over by consumer society? From endless adverts to fleeting gifts, not to mention food waste, it’s hard not to see Christmas as a festival that’s become all too commercial. While Christmas is our favourite time of year, our planet is not quite so festive. And yet, it is entirely possible to celebrate a sustainable Christmas, in harmony with our environment.
Embrin offers a few decorating tips for a magical and responsible Christmas, for a table that is both enchanting and eco-friendly. Follow the guide!
- Choose natural materials
Decorating your table is simple: gather holly, mistletoe or fir branches. You could also dry fallen leaves, selecting those with the most beautiful range of colours. Recycled glass jars as candle holders, a homemade Christmas tree, wreaths of foliage, garlands made from pine cones or dried orange slices: let your creativity run wild! What could be more rewarding than crafting your own Christmas decorations? The holidays are the perfect time, and it’s a lovely way to spend time with your children.
Don’t hesitate to browse the many DIY sites and blogs, which offer a wealth of ideas. We particularly recommend the very well-designed site Mygreencocoon.
- Buy responsible or even second-hand decorations
Most Christmas decorations are produced cheaply on the other side of the world! Consider the environmental impact of their making and transport. To avoid this, only buy what you truly need and steer clear of overconsumption. You can also find second-hand decorations on specialist websites.
- For your table linen, choose natural and local fibres
For your tablecloth and napkins, opt for natural fibres produced locally. Avoid synthetic textiles entirely, as they are made from petroleum.
Among natural fibres, you’ll find cotton, hemp and of course linen. Linen is the only textile fibre produced in Europe, and mainly in France. Textile hemp, on the other hand, is almost exclusively produced in Asia. Cotton is grown in all warm regions of the world, except Europe.
So, by choosing an EMBRIN tablecloth, you are opting for a local and ecological raw material, as well as an item made in France.
- Make the most of candles
For a luminous Christmas, choose low-energy decorations or candles. Scattered throughout your home, they will create a magical atmosphere and are non-polluting. Favour “made in France” candles made from natural materials, such as beeswax.
As you can see, at Embrin we are convinced that ecological can rhyme with chic, that slow does not mean low, and that we should often buy less, but better! The aim is not to turn your habits upside down, but to gradually evolve your consumption, step by step.
The whole Embrin team wishes you a joyful Christmas, full of delicious and shared delights!
This article was written by Hélène Huet, as part of an Alizée project, led by the CCI of Seine-Maritime.