5 minute read
Bah humbug, I hate Christmas.
Okay wow, chill opener there Lisa. That will get those folks sticking around to read the whole post. (rolls eyes)
Our speed toward decline via self-soothing by consumerism, has kind of ruined Christmas. When I was young, this time of year was filled with gatherings, kindness, good cheer, and meaning.
Yes, the nostalgia is cliche. I’m also not wrong, right?!
Right???
Maybe I’m wrong for you. I’m not wrong for me, and how I’ve been experiencing Christmas in my own household. In fact, we’ve stopped “Christmas” and are trying to transition to Yule and some new traditions.
Add all of this to the fact that the climate crisis is changing what winter looks like –especially in the north where I live–and I start thinking about what winter (and Christmas) will look like as the climate continues to change and many of our favourite traditions become difficult or impossible.
Yes, I am mostly talking about snow, and yes there are many parts of the world that have never had snow during Christmas, but y’all. Climate change is coming for everything. And we need to talk about it. So let’s start here. It’s as good a place as any.
WHY LOW WASTE?
- Because I am a Low Waste Woman.
- Christmas = waste = poking that climate change beast
- Because I’ve got affordability and accessibility on the brain too
- Honestly, because I don’t know what else to call this…
“Low waste” is another word for “capitalism critical” in this case, but I know that can freak people out. I only ask that you keep an open mind, especially when it comes to our (over) consumption of things and how that impacts not only society, but individual human and non-human beings.
And why Yule?
Because that’s the direction I’m headed in my life. A return to older ways that were more in sync with “nature”, the world around us, the actual seasons and not the shopping seasons.
The purpose of this list in particular is to:
- Get you connected to natural abundance
- Reconnect you to the natural seasons
- Open your heart and mind to community building that isn’t led by consumerism
After you watch my mini movie that feels really melancholy thanks to the audio (I’ll choose better next time!), see if you guessed what some of my ideas are!
And then read on for the full list…
10 LOW WASTE WINTER ACTIVITIES
1. Playing in the snow. This can look like sledding, making snowmen, snowball fights…whatever makes sense for you. We have some lovely blue sky days in Edmonton, perfect to get outside and make the most of the snow while we have it. I know that some folks are super jealous of our snowy winters–if we look at it with enthusiasm, we can find joy and gratitude for it.
2. Outdoor fire. We celebrate Yule every year on the solstice with a fire in our backyard. Tell your guests to put their snowpants on!
3. Movie and puzzle night. Find a Christmas/winter themed movie and puzzle and see where the day takes you. This is a cozy and introvert friendly activity, my favourite. Make it extra special with a trip to the bulk store in advance to get a jar of everyone’s favourite snack.
4. Host a holiday music listening party. My small collection of vintage Christmas records is one of my most prized possessions, and I treasure listening to them every December. You could host a record listening party, or have everyone text you their top 5 favourite tunes and build a playlist from there. Put out the baking you did for idea #9, and make an afternoon of it.
5. Host a potluck. Hosting folks in your home, and making a full meal can be overwhelming to some. If you host a potluck, that eliminates some of the organizational stress while still providing food. If you need to be in control, you could write a list of options that people choose from. BONUS! Invite everyone to come cook together.
6. Host a book swap. Thumb your nose at the consumerism that flares its ugly head this time of year, and swap goodies with pals. Books are fun, because even “used” books are often still in great condition to be read again (and again). And readers are always on the lookout for more books to add to their TBR.
7. Skating. While we still have cold enough temperatures, get out to your local ODR (outdoor rink, that is) and do a few laps. In Edmonton, you can skate on any community ODR as long as you have any community league membership.
8. Light tour. Make up a big batch of hot chocolate and walk through your neighbourhood to find all the lights. If you have a willing friend/family group and a lot of fun displays in your neighbourhood, you could pit two streets against each other and vote on your favourites.
9. Bake! Bonus idea is to get together with a bunch of folks who all do a bunch of baking, and then host a swap.
10. Write notes of gratitude on upcycled paper. Did you know that I (Lisa) used to send 90+ cards and letters every December? I stopped that tradition a few years ago for a number of reasons, but I do miss the feeling for closeness that it brought. If 90 is too many for you (duh), perhaps start with your close friends and family.
FURTHER READING
If you’re interested in some low waste ways to celebrate spring, here’s a list of seven.
Not Ladylike Community 
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