Admittedly, the Christmas season isn't always a contemplative one. Crowded shopping streets, the search for the perfect gifts, a Christmas tree, and all the decorations in the basement take up a lot of our time and stress – but not only us. A downside to the holidays also affects our environment – ​​according to a study by the German Economic Institute, the amount of waste around Christmas alone increases by up to 20 percent.

Like many other holiday celebrants, you've probably already asked yourself how you can enjoy Christmas in a more environmentally friendly and stress-free way. We love the season of giving, contemplation, and shared moments with friends and family, sharing cookies and a good cup of coffee.

In this article, you'll learn how to not only give gifts to your loved ones this year, but also to the environment, and how to spread joy with sustainable gifts: for a greener Christmas.

Christmas and its consequences for the environment

But before we get to the gift-giving, a few more comments: Of course, action is needed, especially in politics and business, if we want to stop climate change, but we can also personally influence a more environmentally friendly lifestyle through our consumption. For example, more and more manufacturers are turning to sustainable alternatives for coffee capsules, as consumers and coffee lovers increasingly value not putting their enjoyment above the environment.

But especially during the Christmas season, we often neglect last year's resolutions and resort to old habits during this sometimes stressful time. At the same time, as mentioned at the beginning, the amount of waste increases by around 20 percent during this time of year. This is primarily due to packaging materials and the fact that many items are replaced with new ones after Christmas. Thus, we leave a considerable ecological footprint every year.

Fortunately, we don't have to cancel our holidays because of old habits, but have the opportunity to rely on sustainable alternatives.

Giving sustainably – Here's how!

Let's just say that we all love gifts. The anticipation of unwrapping beautifully wrapped presents under the Christmas tree has excited us since childhood. To protect the environment, we can simply do without wrapping paper or use sustainable alternatives. So let's start with alternative Christmas gift wrapping options.

These sustainable alternatives for gift wrapping are available

Alternative gift wrapping made from recycled paper.

Used once, thrown away again. That's the fate of most gift wrapping. If you still can't do without it, you can opt for 100 percent recycled wrapping paper. One way to do this is with the Blue Angel seal. This seal guarantees that the product in question was made from recycled materials.

Another alternative is to use beautiful textiles or gift bags that can be reused after unwrapping, or you can choose brands that carefully select their packaging and shipping materials when shopping, and then reuse the boxes and filling materials from products you ordered online as gift wrapping. This way, you'll save yourself unnecessary trips to home decor and gift stores, and your wallet will thank you, too.

Unusual and sustainable gift ideas with and without coffee

But what goes into the sustainable packaging? Not only the exterior, but also the gift itself can be sustainable. The more creativity you show, the more your recipient will surely be delighted. We often don't see our dearest friends or relatives as often as we'd like. So give the gift of shared time and experiences.

Give the gift of time together this Christmas.

For example, you could present a stash of coffee under the Christmas tree that you and the recipient can enjoy just the two of you. Sustainable capsules are not only good for the environment, but they also keep the coffee fresh for a long time, so the gift can bring you joy for months.

You can either present the capsules beautifully packaged according to the ideas listed above or hang them on the Christmas tree as decorations.

Tip: If you or your loved ones are taking a break from coffee, you can of course also implement this gift idea with tea bags .

And if you want to use the gift in the run-up to Christmas, you can present the coffee capsules in the form of an Advent calendar, which will give you a shared break with lots of taste every day.

Gift vouchers under the Christmas tree

If Advent has gone by quicker than you expected and you don't have enough time for a trip into town or to make an Advent calendar, use the tried-and-tested voucher.

Every year, countless gifts land under the tree, only to end up gathering dust or ending up in the trash after a while. A voucher for that indispensable morning coffee can spare the present this fate. Because let's face it, no one says no to a capsule after waking up.

Donate for a good cause

It's still considered a rarity in Germany, but a trend from North America is gaining ground here as well. Donations are becoming more and more common. You can choose a project for the recipient that you know is close to their heart.

For example, you can donate to animals or the rainforest and receive a donation certificate, which you can then present. This not only shows that what is important to others is important to you, but also supports a worthwhile project.

Gifts that support sustainable projects

If a single donation to a charitable cause or project isn't enough because you'd like to give something tangible on Christmas Eve, you can combine both aspects. Look for providers of sustainable products that donate to a project close to your heart with every purchase.

If you are still looking for the right idea for your coffee-loving friends, you can choose products from Bonga Red Mountain or Alternativa3 , for example.

While Bonga Red Mountain finances projects to protect the rainforest in Ethiopia, Alternativa3 supports equipment projects for schools in producing countries. Many of these projects not only promote workers' rights and fair working conditions in producing countries, but also protect the climate and nature – creating added value for the local people and the planet itself.

Is this exactly what you've been looking for? You can find numerous other social and sustainable donation programs at betterplace.org . Select, donate, and receive a certificate – it's that easy.

Ready for a greener Christmas full of enjoyment and sustainable sensuality?

The joyful December holidays often make us lose sight of the environmental impact of our customs. Excessive packaging, gifts that are rarely used, or gifts with a negative carbon footprint. We accept all of this in order to bring joy to our loved ones and ourselves. With a little creativity, we can also give sustainable gifts.

Aren't the contemplative holidays around Christmas the perfect opportunity to live more consciously, spend time with our loved ones, and make our planet a little better with a hot cup of coffee ? Gourmet gifts like coffee are readily consumed and not only provide you and your loved ones with wonderful shared moments, but can also make a contribution to the fight against climate change.

Cover photo by Mel Pool. Additional photos by Kira auf der Heide and Priscilla Du Preez.