As the countdown to Christmas begins and home decorating gets into full swing, it's easy to forget the amount of waste and single-use plastics used throughout the festive period . Whether it's plastic trees, garlands around your house or wrapping paper on gifts - we all use decorations that can have a negative impact on the environment... without even knowing it ! The Christmas period produces 30% more waste than the rest of the year.
Bringing greenery into our homes to mark the winter solstice was done well before Christmas. Ancient local traditions called for cutting mistletoe and blessing it, while holly was considered sacred due to its apparently protective properties, promising health and prosperity to those who decorated their homes with it.
The Christmas holidays are approaching and you want to create a festive atmosphere in your home, but you don't know how to afford it? We help you keep this festive spirit, with its share of feasts and gifts, while giving up the excess plastic waste that comes with them. This year, Or Végétal gives you its tips for having a sumptuous Christmas that is more respectful of Nature.
The key elements of a natural Christmas decoration
We have an alternative for you! Natural decoration is perfect for creating a magical atmosphere at home. It is delivered without financial commitment and will allow you to enjoy the smell of fir branches or orange peel which will naturally perfume your interior without having to spend money.
There's absolutely nothing wrong with keeping the classic ingredients, especially if you can find them in your garden (extra eco points), but for a more luxurious feel - with added scent and great contrasting visual textures - we like to include a mix of mountain pine, blue spruce, olive, bay and eucalyptus.
Make sure your foliage is not wet. As it is still alive, it will inevitably release moisture over the days or weeks you have it in place, so make sure it is not lying on top of your finest antique tablecloth or is not in contact with a prestigious painting. Tie your main foliage (usually a pine mix) to a basic rope or thin metal wire to establish the structure of your installation.
Wild foraging can be an enjoyable way to connect with nature, as well as a great way to save money on decorating. If you decide to go picking, be sure to respect the environment and only take what is already dead or dying. Do not cut tree branches; try to pick them up from the ground. Consider public property laws and, if possible, seek permission from the property owner if you wish to harvest items on private property.
I/ The Mini Trees
They are easy to maintain, durable and an eco-friendly choice for the holiday season. Our mini trees come in four beautiful styles, each adorned with festive decor. They're the perfect decoration for small apartments when you're not able to put up a full-sized tree, place it on your desk, or fill alcoves throughout your home. They also make wonderful Christmas gifts for your loved ones.
II/ Natural Wreaths and Garlands
We knew the traditional Christmas wreath, to hang on the front door or above the fireplace. This year she is making a comeback and is accompanied by her cousin the garland! Both put plants in the spotlight by playing the card of purity and sobriety. A refreshing trend amid the madness of Christmas gifts.
The Christmas wreath is a strong and traditional symbol of the end-of-year celebrations. It is generally composed of foliage and pine cones carefully selected by our florists for their resistance. For a plant-based, green and ecological Christmas, Or Végétal suggests replacing these elements with any branches. It's very simple to do at home: you build a round cardboard structure that you fill with moss and succulents. The set is then attached to the front door of the living room to welcome your guests.
Natural garlands are one of the best ways to give your home the festive spirit it needs. Whether you place yours on a mantel over the fire and hang stockings on it or wrap it up your staircase for that instant Christmas feeling when you walk in the door. A timeless and easy object to make yourself. For a plant-based Christmas atmosphere, you can choose to use a few fern leaves on a wire or a small rope using miniature clothespins. The fern is relatively easy to find during a walk in the forest. You can also buy decorative fern leaves.
III/ Red Berries
Time and time again, red berries – and cut flowers – have proven to be a great pairing for creating a natural, traditional effect for holiday parties. year. They not only bring contrast and freshness to an array of bouquets, but also engage the senses with their colors, textures, scents and flavors - yes, because many are edible! Featuring long, slender branches draped with small clusters of bright, yet abundant, red berries, red berries provide considerable impact and visual interest to winter landscapes and floral decor. In winter floral decorations, the different varieties oscillate between classic tones of red, white and green and add depth and festive texture to Christmas bouquets and arrangements.
All of these natural elements are used to make our Christmas collections fabulously festive. They allow us to richly decorate them in a sober, classic or luxurious style. The Or Végétal team hopes that they will make your Christmas even more joyful and memorable.
Merry Christmas!