Christmas is one of the most anticipated times of the year for children and adults alike. It is a time of comfort and magic all over the world. Preparing for Christmas requires a lot of organization and advance planning. Decorating the house, the Christmas table, buying gifts, etc. there are many small gestures to adopt to continue to consume better before and during the holidays. We met Inès Moreau, from the Instagram account Lespetitsgestes. Inès, a committed author, defines herself as a "Planter of seeds of awareness". She highlights, on a daily basis, all her tips for a different, simpler consumption, turned towards the planet. Through her posts and books, she shares her many tips for reducing waste, taking care of oneself naturally, reducing one's carbon footprint and everything that can be done for a more responsible consumption. Today, she shares with us her small gestures to adopt before and during the holidays.

Small things to do before the holidays

We say no to the commercial advent calendar, but why not let yourself be tempted by an artisanal and local calendar, a handmade calendar with little surprises for the whole family or the solidarity advent calendar version!

Each year, Will for Change sets up a reverse advent calendar. The idea? To bring love by giving gifts to the needy. How do you do it? Use an empty cardboard box, choose who you would like to give it to (adult, child, man, woman, etc.), add a useful object each day (hygiene products, tin cans, socks, clothes, toys, etc.), decorate your box and drop it off at one of the collection points before December 17. A nice alternative to put a smile on someone's face and warm their heart.

The tree? The essential element for a successful Christmas... But not just any tree! You can make your own handmade tree (Ines has been making hers out of wood for 4 years). You can also make it with books or recycled bottles (feel free to get inspired on Pinterest) or adopt an organic and local tree in a pot, to replant it afterwards. Finally, you can choose to rent it, for the occasion. The big plus is that it won't be thrown away afterwards!

Photo credit: lespetitsgestes

For those who like to be in the Christmas mood, you can use a natural decoration (with pine cones, branches of fir and natural paint second hand (to find in flea markets, in the cellars of his friends or on Vinted) or homemade.

Small gestures to adopt during the holidays

Choose to make and share a slightly more minimalist meal with seasonal and local ingredients and no food waste, to limit the carbon footprint. Consider redistributing leftovers to your guests or freezing them.

Choose to give intangible gifts (giving experiences is so much more valuable and creates memories), second-hand or handmade. 

Make a reusable gift wrap: with a custom fabric bag, furoshiki (a Japanese fabric folding technique) or simply newspaper.

Finally, choose an ethical or second-hand outfit to shine on the big day.

Photo credit : Camif

Inès' ecological and cool gift ideas

Handmade

A lip balm, a candle, bee wraps, a nice tawashi, a soap, hot chocolate lollipops

Of the immaterial

A weekend in one of our regions of France in a tinyhouse, or a cabin to get closer to nature, a show, a treatment, a workshop to learn a skill (beer, bag, pottery), a photo session, a cooking or drawing class, a subscription to music, yoga or meditation, a yoga retreat at La ferme de Peuton to give yourself time for yourself

From zero waste

Washable cotton pads, a kit to make your own household or beauty products with Inès' books, for example, or a water bottle.
Some books

At any age and for any taste, you will find them in your local bookstores.

From the second hand

A piece of clothing found at a thrift store, an object found at a flea market or on an online flea market.

Solidarity

On the online store of associations like @unicef_france, Ines finds her gifts and her purchases allow her to support the actions of the association.

Online shopping

Inès has fallen for the eshop Panier des Sens where you can find cosmetic care products (for women and men) and perfumes and candles for the home, all made in France and with natural ingredients sourced in short circuits. For 20 years our Provencal brand has been committed to natural and responsible beauty! What to please at Christmas while taking care of our health and the environment! And for clothing ideas, there are several committed platforms where you can find your happiness like Dreamact and We dress fair.

Inès Moreau: @Lespetitsgestes