Christmas in UAE: How residents can make sustainable choices for the celebrations

By now, we have all seen the writing on the wall — our planet is getting warmer and we all want to lead more sustainable lives to retard the decay. We want to leave the Earth a bit better than we found it. But in a world where conventional living equals caustic consumption, it can be a tall order, especially during this time of the year when it’s very easy to go overboard with festivities. However, some UAE residents are taking matters into their own hands and insist on minimising their carbon footprint and emissions, not just during the indulgent festive period, but throughout the year.

But first, what does living sustainably mean to you? As per The United Nations’ environment programme, “Sustainable lifestyles are considered as ways of living, social behaviours and choices that minimise environmental degradation (use of natural resources, CO2 emissions, waste and pollution) while supporting equitable socio-economic development and better quality of life for all.”

As we get closer to Christmas, we asked a few sustainable advocates in the UAE about the changes they’ve made to their lives to make the season more earth and environment friendly.

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Eco-conscious way forward

Dubai-based Lebanese expat Ghyna Kabbara, who has been in the UAE for nine years started living sustainably three years ago. One of her top tips is to ditch the festive wrapping paper. She says, “In the spirit of mindful gifting, I've been inspired by the Japanese tradition of Furoshiki, the art of wrapping gifts with fabric. I carefully clothe each present in reusable fabric wraps, creating an eco-conscious and elegant ritual.”

The author of Facebook handle Green Project, meanwhile, suggests regifting along with reusable wrapping to minimise over-indulgence and wastage. Giving someone gifts we don’t have a use for and have never used serves a dual purpose: it means saving money and giving the present a chance to be used. Nahla Nabil, an expat from New Zealand who is an Abu Dhabi-based Sustainability and ESG (environmental, social, and governance) strategist, adds: “Explore the world of digital gifting with options like online course subscriptions, e-books, or service vouchers, which offer meaningful experiences without the environmental cost of physical resources.”

Another element that can add to wasteful spending during the holidays is buying clothes that one may not really need. Kabbara found a new, thrifty way to outfit herself and her family that not only stops her from going excess, but also helps her declutter her home (and cupboards). “Dubai's eco-friendly community has uncovered a gem — Bjerg & Hav's Clothes Swap Initiative,” she explains. The way it works is, you swap your used clothes for vouchers. “This local brand specialises in handmade organic clothing, contributing to a sustainable fashion scene. By participating in it, we declutter our closets, support a noble cause, and reduce fashion's environmental footprint.

“My children have embraced organic clothing, enjoying both the comfort of organic fabrics and the concept of a clothing exchange. This sustainable practice extends the lifespan of their outfits, allowing us to use them for various celebrations while swapping gently used items for vouchers to use in future purchases. It's a practical and eco-conscious way to dress up for special occasions,” adds Kabbara.

Additionally, Kabbara has chosen a real fir tree for Christmas this year. “This year, a natural Christmas tree graces my home, filling our space with the enchanting scent of pine. The authenticity of a real tree adds a touch of genuine magic to the season, all while staying away from plastic,” she says.

According to the World Bank, a person generates about 0.74kg of waste every day on average. This is 2.01bn tonnes of municipal solid waste annually. And often, it’s the used Christmas tree and ornaments that add to the trash. The passionate eco-warriors urge the storage and reuse of old baubles come Christmas time.

Speaking of baubles, Kabbara uses LED candle lights and handmade ornaments on her tree. “These are crafted with love during a local workshop to celebrate the artistry of little hands while staying true to sustainable choices,” she adds.

Homemade baubles

Nine-year-old Vaishika Satheshwaran, a Dubai-based expat, has been busy making ornaments for her tree too. She says, “I’ve been crocheting ornaments, which are made out of scrap yarn. And then, I've been cutting down the Amazon boxes and making cardboard ornaments. I’ve also been making natural ornaments, using things like pomegranate skins or orange skins, shaping them into stars or hearts.” As for decorating her house, she’s been upcycling fabric, she says.

Satheshwaran’s brush with eco-anxiety (anxiety caused by the state of the environment) began two years ago. “I dived into research and became anxious about the world suffering due to pollution caused by us,” she says. She began to learn about ways to live more sustainably. This led her to making changes in her life, including the way she celebrates the season.

This Christmas, she has decided to make handmade presents for her family. She says people should buy less plastic as it eventually will go into the bin. She also urges people to support local business as their goods will have a smaller carbon footprint than internationally made and transported things.

• Indulge in Christmas treats around Dubai