The holiday season, whether anticipated or dreaded, is often synonymous with excessive consumption, justified in a more or less approximate manner . The proof is: when December approaches, we think of the mountain of expenses that Christmas generates in our wallets. Festive decorations, sequined outfits, gifts to offer to Aunt Ginette or even holiday meals...

We almost forget what really matters during this time of year and what makes it so magical! Indeed, whatever anyone says, nothing beats a mulled wine shared with our loved ones on a cold winter evening, spent curled up in a knitted blanket. Got it? Perfect ;) There's a good chance that reading this article will interest you and we invite you to continue!

At a time when consumerist demands are emerging from all sides, our team has been thinking about the different options available to you to try to see Christmas in a different light, and not just as a marketing-driven holiday . To do this, we have activated our imagination and our sense of resourcefulness, starting a process of reflection that has led us to find 5 real tips for consuming less during the holiday season .

These tips are the ones we've been applying at Mapache for many years. Directly linked to our values ​​and commitments , we promote ethical and sustainable initiatives on a daily basis. The team's 5 tips for a responsible Christmas are therefore perfectly in line with the approach we've been taking since 2015! Come on, let's stop the blah-blah and let you discover our tips below.

Take a step back from (very) festive advertising content.

Here's a first piece of advice that could actually be applied all year round, not just during the Christmas period. In any case, December is a particularly good month for excessive communication from brands. You open Instagram and you're bombarded with messages designed to convince you that you NEED all these glittery objects to have a good Christmas (yes, we're choosing to talk specifically about glitter here, knowing full well how hard it is not to fall for anything that sparkles).

No, you're not going to have a better holiday season if you buy this sequin top. No, the magic of Christmas isn't hidden in those bright decorations. Don't give in to the temptation of brands that are each more glittery than the last. This way, you'll avoid a lot of impulse and unnecessary purchases that you'll most certainly regret come January ^1st !

The team's top tip? Close Instagram, pour yourself a nice cup of coffee/tea, and take inventory of your Christmas-related belongings. We're willing to bet you already have more than enough to celebrate without excess! Still not sure? Discover our next tip without further ado.

Look for magic in what you already have… or make what you want!

Are you a die-hard Christmas fan and wouldn't want to miss out on the beautiful objects that make this festive season sublime? Don't worry, they're also our guilty pleasure. But contrary to what you might think at first, making the holidays magical with what you already have is much simpler than it seems! In fact, we don't need to change the color of our Christmas decorations every year to enjoy our home in its festive attire...

Let's start with the tree area. We've found a great idea for decorating your tree branches while keeping costs down, and it goes by the sweet name of "punchneedle." This fast-growing and easy-to-use embroidery technique lets you bring original fabric creations to life. The team also spotted this reel on Instagram, which you can use as inspiration to decorate your tree. Admit it, the result is stunning!

Another tip to apply in the "tree" area is the wrapping technique straight from Japan: furoshiki . This is very easy to do since you will only need a piece of fabric (or a large scarf) and a few minutes of practice to make a pretty bow. We also advise you to consult this infographic which will help you in making your zero-waste packages, according to the shape of the object to be offered. Now that you have said goodbye to the traditional wrapping paper which is not at all eco-friendly, you have the free mind to let your creativity speak and why not slip a small branch of dried flowers in your packages! Believe us, this detail is always appreciated ;)

And what about the table setting? If you like warm and authentic evenings, sprinkle dried citrus fruits and cinnamon sticks on your tablecloth . In addition to creating a pretty table, you will fall back into childhood thanks to the delicious smells that will emanate from these homemade decorations. Yes, you read that right "homemade" ;) Indeed, dried orange slices are very simple to make. We've slipped a tutorial right here to help you.

Another tip we've been thinking about lately:  If you don't have napkin rings for Christmas Eve, take a jute string and delicately tie it around your napkins . Just like with your furoshiki wrappings, you are free to add a sprig of dried flowers to bring a little poetry to your holiday table!

Finally, as for the finishing touch to this homemade (or almost) decoration, don't forget to light a few candles . They will be enough to immerse your guests in a festive atmosphere. For a change from the eternal candles, we recommend the beautiful creations from the e-shop The Josephine Store , the team's favorite.

Take advantage of free things.

Make no mistake... By "free stuff," we mean the precious moments that are particularly good around Christmas. If December makes us want to stay cozy and cozy, let's take advantage of it to take our noses away from our screens and dedicate our free time to activities that nourish us much more than shopping! Lacking inspiration? Don't worry, we've thought of everything...

If there's ever a perfect time to dive into that book you've been eyeing for weeks... It's definitely Christmas! The perfect setting for devouring the pages of a good novel: the comfort of your armchair, the cold wind blowing outside, the tea steaming on the table, the Christmas tree lights flickering in the room... You have all the ingredients for a comforting time and adventures without leaving your home.

For those who don't have a passion for reading, head to the kitchen where just a few simple ingredients will allow you to bake delicious Christmas cookies. Baking has the magic of always offering you a nice reward after the effort: tasting delicious sweet treats, so much appreciated during this time of year. You can also try artistic activities such as watercolor painting. You'll easily find inspiration on Pinterest or even Instagram; we're particularly thinking of this account that we really like at Mapache!

Are you more of a nature person? A walk in the forest is always a good idea. For those who are more sensitive to the cold, consider arming yourself with a thermos of coffee or tea to warm up. We've heard that a "mulled wine" version is also very enjoyable ;)

Give intangible gifts.

The years go by, but our fear at Christmas remains the same: giving our loved ones gifts that will inevitably end up at the bottom of their closet. There's no doubt about it, material things embody the height of overconsumption during the holidays. Finding gift ideas is always a real headache, and unless you know the person you want to spoil inside out, it's better to focus on... intangible gifts! Put like that, we grant you, it doesn't sound very appealing. But intangible gifts are much nicer than they seem. We've gathered the team's best ideas for you.

Making your gift last for several months is possible with subscriptions! And we're not talking about boxes, but rather cultural subscriptions. For example, we love what the independent bookstore Mouche offers with its reading subscription. You can also offer a movie subscription for fans of the ^7th art, or a subscription to a music streaming app. We don't necessarily think about it, and yet, this type of gift has the great advantage of combining business with pleasure. And in a more classic style, a pastry class or a massage session are always a guarantee of a successful gift.

Favor sustainable brands.

Do you like responsible gifts but are less of a fan of intangible surprises? If you don't want to give up pretty packages under the tree, you can of course offer tangible gifts. However, first make sure that the gift will actually be used by the person. Second, when you need to choose a specific brand, choose ethical and sustainable brands to support meaningful initiatives during this important time.

As a consumer, it goes without saying that your true power lies in your credit card. If we assume that you support what you choose to buy... Then we might as well favor brands that work for the environment and whose social commitments are proven. Moreover, in order to increase the durability of their products, these brands systematically combine these commitments with superior quality. It's always more enjoyable to receive gifts that are made to last ;) So, giving responsibly is fine, but which brands should we turn to? Don't worry, at the office we've built our own little pantheon of clean and great brands!

For #shoesaddicts, we (very humbly) recommend our iconic Alegre Champagne Mexican sandal, hand-woven by our artisans using ancestral know-how. A lovely sunny and golden gift that's sure to please! And if your loved ones are more into sneakers, head to Zeta , a young Bordeaux brand that makes sneakers from recycled waste to reduce its environmental impact. For those on a smaller budget who don't want to sacrifice eco-responsibility, we invite you to discover the gems of the Refyld brand: natural and refillable skincare products with delicious scents.

This article is already coming to an end! We hope that reading our tips will be useful to you as the holidays approach and that you will even find joy in avoiding overconsumption this year ;)

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