Is the increase in consumerism during the Christmas holidays at odds with sustainability? What is the most important thing we take into account when buying a gift? Iu Alemany, Head of Back Office and Customer Service at 11Onze, visits the Energia programme to talk about how we can give more sustainable gifts this festive season.

Small changes in our consumption habits this holiday season to reduce our carbon footprint can have a positive environmental impact on the planet, and this also includes the choice of gifts. It is about being able to enjoy Christmas traditions without falling into the excesses of consumerism, leaving aside a conscious consumption that is in line with our principles.

Energy and economy

As Alemany states, “we are living at a time when we have a terrible energy and financial crisis, and the time has come to give presents by example”. On the economic side, inflation has devastated the value of our savings, so why not give the gift of a safe-haven asset that will last over time? A good proposal is to give a precious metal such as gold, “in a year’s time, 100 euros will be worth 90 euros because of inflation, while the same amount of gold will be worth 105 or 110 euros”.

In the energy field, we can apply the same principles of sustainability when giving a present. From an individual point of view, we can all contribute to saving resources by leading by example. It can be as simple as “giving a programmable plug or buying a mini solar panel where we can charge our mobile phone or any electronic device”, Alemany points out.

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