Christmas in Singapore is magical — streets sparkle with lights, malls overflow with festive decorations, and families come together to celebrate. However, a looming question arises behind the glitz and glamour: Is Santa ruining the planet?
As Singaporeans race to embrace the holiday spirit, it’s easy to overlook the environmental impact of the season. From the energy consumed by lights to the food waste and plastic wrappings, Christmas can leave quite a carbon footprint.
Are there ways to still enjoy the festivities without the guilt?
The hidden carbon footprint of Christmas
Christmas lights
Singapore’s dazzling Christmas light displays are iconic, with Orchard Road being the crown jewel. However, these twinkling lights come at a cost.
An informative article from the Energy Market Authority shows that Singapore has made strides towards energy efficiency, yet the high usage of electricity during the festive season still contributes to increased carbon output.
Gifts and wrapping paper
The tradition of gift-giving has a hefty environmental price tag. In Singapore, where shopping malls are overflowing with festive sales and e-commerce is booming, the demand for products skyrockets during Christmas.
Deloitte’s 2024 holiday retail survey published by Retail Asia forecasts that the average holiday spending will rise to $1,778 this year, up from $1,652 last year. This figure covers spending on gifts, non-gift items, home furnishings, experiences, and more.
The production, packaging, and shipping of these goods contribute significantly to carbon emissions. In addition, the mountains of wrapping paper, ribbons, and plastic bags often end up in landfills, and the situation worsens.
The Christmas feast
In a food-centric culture like Singapore’s, Christmas feasts are a highlight. Whether it’s turkey, roast meats, or seafood, the preparation and transportation of these meals often have a significant environmental impact.
If you’re indulging in imported delicacies, remember that shipping food across vast distances contributes to global warming, not to mention the carbon footprint from food waste if leftovers aren’t properly stored or consumed.
The eco-friendly Christmas – How to celebrate without the guilt
It’s not all doom and gloom. With a little thought and creativity, there are plenty of ways to celebrate Christmas in Singapore sustainably. Here are some ideas to reduce your environmental impact while still keeping the holiday spirit alive:
Sustainable gift giving
Instead of buying a slew of new products, consider opting for more thoughtful, sustainable gifts.
Singaporean artisans offer a variety of eco-friendly products such as handmade accessories, reusable items like bamboo straws, or even experiences (think spa days, concerts, or cooking classes).
Alternatively, go the route of gifting second-hand treasures from local thrift stores or organizing a gift exchange with friends and family. This reduces the demand for new products and keeps the festive spirit alive in a more conscious way.
Green wrapping
You can still make your presents look stunning while reducing waste. Use reusable fabric gift bags, eco-friendly wrapping paper, or even old newspapers and magazines.
A beautiful reusable basket can hold multiple gifts while eliminating the need for single-use wrapping paper. You might also consider presenting your gift more practically — a potted plant or a home-cooked dish is thoughtful and waste-free.
Go energy efficient with lights
If you’re decorating your home, opt for energy-efficient LED lights instead of traditional incandescent ones.
These consume far less electricity and have a longer lifespan. Additionally, consider keeping the displays to a minimum and turning off the lights when not in use.
If you’re visiting Christmas light displays around the city, walk or take public transport to reduce your carbon footprint.
Local and seasonal ingredients for your feast
Instead of opting for imported foods, why not focus on locally sourced produce? Singapore is home to a variety of fresh, seasonal ingredients, and many local farms offer sustainably grown vegetables and fruits.
You can create a delicious Christmas feast with local twists by incorporating seafood from Singapore’s waters or roasted meats from nearby farms.
Minimizing imports means less carbon-intensive transportation, and you’ll be supporting local farmers and producers.
Focus on experiences, not things
One of the most meaningful ways to celebrate Christmas without contributing to overconsumption is by giving the gift of experiences.
Spend quality time with loved ones — enjoy a Christmas picnic at East Coast Park, a scenic walk at the Singapore Botanic Gardens, or even an eco-friendly art class.
These activities are memorable and do not carry the same environmental burden as physical gifts.
Eco-friendly Christmas tree
If you love having a Christmas tree, there are many eco-friendly alternatives.
Consider a potted tree, which can be replanted after the season ends. Alternatively, you could make a tree from sustainable materials like wood or even driftwood collected during walks along Singapore’s beaches.
For artificial trees, aim for one that is high-quality and durable enough to last for many seasons, reducing the need for disposal and waste.
Embracing a greener Christmas: A collective effort
While individual changes are crucial, the collective effort of communities, businesses, and governments also plays a major role in reducing the holiday season’s carbon footprint.
In Singapore, initiatives to promote sustainability have been gaining traction. The city-state’s eco-conscious ethos encourages people to be more mindful about consumption, waste, and the environment, especially as global concerns about climate change intensify.
In recent years, local businesses have become more aware of their environmental responsibilities, offering eco-friendly products, packaging, and green initiatives.
Singapore’s government is also actively promoting sustainability, from the “Zero Waste Masterplan” to the efforts to create more green spaces in urban areas.
These initiatives make it easier for residents to make greener choices throughout the year — including during the Christmas season.
The best gift this season
This festive season, let’s unwrap the true spirit of Christmas by showing love to our loved ones and our beloved planet. After all, the most precious gift we can give is a healthier, more sustainable world for future generations.
Featured image by Depositphotos(for illustration purposes only)