The Christmas spirit
As children, watching Christmas movies and listening to the stories we were told, we imagined how our presents were created by Santa’s elves. Magical creatures devoted to the welfare of children all over the world, joyfully working in a workshop hidden from human eyes in the snows of Lapland.
As we grow up, the reality turns out to be much less magical.
The search for the perfect gift for people more or less dear to us can be exhausting. Finding clothes for various parties/dinners/lunches is an expensive funfair of frustration. Instagram-proofing the house seems light years away from the Hygge and Christmas mood. The frenzy to turn our existences into a Hallmark film generates stress that radiates around us more than the light of twinkling bulbs everywhere.
Dave Ramsey’s famous phrase (“we buy things we don’t need with money we don’t have to impress people we don’t like”) flashes through our minds as we gorge ourselves on indigestible food we will regret.
Christmas, a time of plenty (or waste?)
And this is not the worst side of this hedonistic madness.
The real tragedy is how our behaviour has negative repercussions.
Not only on the environment around us but also on the people who, in one way or another, are involved in the production or sale of what we buy.
Oxfam UK in December 2023 published a survey on Christmas clothing purchases, with a sample of 3000 shoppers.
A quarter of the respondents planned to buy at least one new item of clothing over the Christmas period. In 72% of the cases they assumed it would be used a maximum of five times or, for 15% of the respondents, only once.
In a 2023 article on the environmental impact of Christmas in London, Rachel Muir points out that statistics show an increase in waste every year. Particularly due to unwanted presents, gift wrapping and ribbons, food and Christmas trees.
According to 2023 estimates by the BCTGA (British Christmas Tree Growers Association) between 8 and 10 million real Christmas trees are sold in the UK each year.An impressive figure, but the real problem is not the purchase but how these trees are disposed of. Ideally, of course, they should be repotted (or bought and kept in a pot). If this is not possible, the choice to dispose of them properly instead of throwing them in a landfill helps to limit their environmental impact.
Among the various articles of clothing, those at the top of the list for waste are so-called “Christmas jumpers” (Christmas-themed jumpers) and sequined dresses.
The main reason is that both are often bought as clothing for a specific occasion. Moreover, in the case of sequin dresses, they are very difficult to recycle as they are essentially pure plastic.
The glittering windows of Christmas
The production and sale of many of the toys, decorations and clothes we invest in for our homes, our friends, our loved ones and ourselves are often the result of extra pressure for those who produce and sell them. Starting with the final part of the transaction, the one closest to our experience as buyers: the shops.
From a commercial point of view, the pre-Christmas period is the most lucrative. Many shops, restaurants and companies invest heavily in advertising and marketing for this time of year. Added to this are decorations, advertisements, promotions and offers. All aimed at capturing as many customers as possible.
And to keep these customers happy, one of the key things is that there is always enough merchandise available.
Also, to ensure they have enough time for the frantic search for the perfect gift/decoration or clothing many shops are open longer.
Open on days when we take it for granted that we do not have to work, such as 26 December, Christmas Eve or New Year’s Eve.
Workers are on their feet for hours dealing with a flood of stressed, hurried people, often with no clear idea of what they want.
Or with a very specific idea of something so phantom that not even Santa’s real elves could produce it.
All this to add to the long hours spent setting up, decorating, restocking, keeping items, clothing, food on offer in record time.
Constantly maintaining a feeling of abundance, of joy, fundamental elements of Christmas. Elements in contrast to the stressful and underpaid working conditions of people working in the retail and catering sectors.
Santa’s real elves
Another category of people under great pressure to create the magic of our Christmas are workers in the fashion industry.
In order to guarantee that level of goods in the shops, production pressure is increased. This, especially in the case of fast fashion, implies large orders in short lead times.
This implies extended shifts (up to 14/16 hours) with not always paid overtime, continuous pressure for productivity.
Added to this are unsafe working conditions, with seasonal contracts that do not guarantee protection or benefits. In essence, the way these workers are forced to work is more reminiscent of Harry Potter’s elves than Father Christmas’s, a life of effective slavery.
Ideas for a more peaceful Christmas for all
How can we capture the crystalline joy we associate with this time of year without falling into the vicious circle of stress and waste?
The basic rule is to try to avoid stressful last-minute purchases and choose alternative places or brands.
1: An alternative could be a gift of an annual subscription to the WWF or the adoption of an endangered animal. Or, still on the subject of animals, with a gift that helps four-legged friends in a concrete way: buying the calendar of www.legadelcane-padova.it/ or giving a long-distance adoption (or non-distance adoption, for those who can!). Other gift ideas on the subject of puppies can also be found on the website of theEnte Nazionale Protezione Animali (National Animal Protection Agency).
2: If, on the other hand, you are looking for more traditional gifts that have a positive impact on the environment and the community, you can find ideas in fair trade or explore the various widespread vintage markets (one among many, the Vintage Market Roma).
Moreover, there are solidarity gifts that are also a donation to a good cause, you can find suggestions on the Unicef, Oxfam or Greenpeace sites.
3: For friends who love adventure and travel, propose alternative and unique travel solutions, such as Dolomiti Gravel, a small independent company that combines a passion for the mountains and cycling. Or why not give them the chance to explore the world from their armchairs with the guides of The Passenger, from the Iperborea publishing house.
4: Finally, for foodies, why not try ordering Christmas baskets or booking Christmas dinners/lunches in Slow Food or KM Zero places? On the Campagna Amica website, you can find lists of markets or you can search for small independent companies such as Tenuta Lanterne, Solive Franciacorta or the various small businesses spread across the territory.
The choices are many and all help to create a true Christmas atmosphere, with a true spirit of joy and solidarity.
