7 Sustainable Ideas for the Days Between Christmas and New Year

This blog post will suggest 7 sustainable ideas for the days between Christmas and New Year. The holidays are over – many of us just went through some beautiful time with family, friends, and loved ones. Hopefully, it was everything you wanted: a time full of joy, laughter, good food, games, TV marathons, singing, and catching up. Perhaps also some fighting, mean comments about your way of living, appearance, or awkward moments.

Now that Mariah has stopped singing, you might be feeling bloated, hungover, overstimulated, or just simply tired. The gifts are unwrapped, the guests have left and if you’ve been visiting others, by now you’re likely back home. Possibly you have a few days left before you need to go back to work, school, or other regular duties. Of course, you can continue on late binge-watching TV, finishing off that cake for the 5th day in a row, sleeping till noon, scrolling your phone, and so on. 

Yet, besides all that you could also follow below sustainable ideas for the days between Christmas and New Year.

1. Leave the house and go for a longer walk in nature

Step away from screens, noise, and post-Christmas chaos. Head to a park, forest, mountains, seaside, or lake – whatever nature is accessible for you. Wrap up warmly against the wind and rain ( the weather might not be inviting, but it’s worth it). Give yourself a gift of natural light, even if it’s just for an hour. 

Take a longer walk – it is a gentle movement for your body and reset for your mind.  Take your time,  pay attention to the details around you, and appreciate the beauty of the world outside. This is not a time to listen to music or podcasts – listen to nature. The fresh air will help clear your head, and you’ll likely feel a sense of calm and balance returning after the intense Christmas period. You can also bring a bag and collect some litter along the way. It is an additional sustainable touch and a simple way to give back to nature whilst enjoying its benefits. 

2. Journal your thoughts

This is a great time to reflect on last year and rethink. How was the past year for you? What would you have done differently? What worked out well? Be grateful, especially to yourself. You can also start thinking about your goals for the upcoming year. Take the lessons learned and successes and think what do you want to achieve? Some journaling prompts:

To reflect on last year

• What were your top three highlights of the past year?
• What is one thing you learned about yourself this year?
• Which habits or routines served you well?
• What relationships brought you the most joy or growth?
• What’s something you’re proud of accomplishing this year?

 To plan for the upcoming year

• What are three intentions you want to set for the new year?
• What habits or routines would you like to start, stop, or improve?
• How will you prioritize your well-being in the coming year?
• What is one personal or professional goal you want to achieve?
• How can you make more time for the things that bring you joy?
• What small, sustainable changes can you make to live more intentionally?
• What word or theme would you like to guide you in the new year?

Journaling has many perks. If you implement it more regularly, it will benefit your mental health by reducing stress and improving mood. It also enhances self-awareness and boosts your creativity and problem-solving. And guess what – it costs nothing and has a direct positive impact on you. Journaling is one of my favourite sustainable ideas for days between Christmas and the New Year.

3. Take a relaxing bath/shower and pamper yourself

Under the Christmas tree, you may have found a few new lush cosmetics to pamper your body. Time to use them! This is a great idea of what to do between Christmas and New Year. 

If your gifts did not include new shower gels, bath bombs, or other lotions.

Draw yourself a bath with home products.

A quick and sustainable idea is: 

Epsom salt (100g) plus 1 teaspoon of baking soda and a few droplets of Olive Oil. I infuse the olive oil with lavender grown in my garden, but even on its own, it has great benefits.

The above combination will help you relax your muscles, reduce stress, and boost skin health. Your sleep will improve due to magnesium absorption and your skin will feel luxurious and soft. Such a bath uses natural ingredients with little or no environmental impact. No harsh chemicals will be used on your body or go down the drain with water too. 

If you have a shower – you can achieve a similar result by getting Epsom Salt and baking soda shower scrub. 

Ingredients: 

• ½ cup Epsom salt
• ¼ cup baking soda
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Optional: a few drops of essential oil (like lavender or eucalyptus)

Mix the ingredients into a paste and use it as a gentle body scrub during your shower. Focus on areas like elbows, knees, and shoulders to exfoliate dead skin and promote relaxation.

4. Read a book

One of the simpler sustainable ideas for the days between Christmas and New Year is to read a book.

You can cosy up on the sofa with a nice cup of winter tea under a soft blanket and read. Whether it is something inspiring, calming or simply entertaining – enjoy your time in a comfy set up <3

5. Move your body intentionally

Walking in nature is already great, but more intense movement benefits both your body and mind. Try a gym session, a YouTube yoga class, or dancing to your favorite music at home. Physical activity releases endorphins, reducing stress and boosting your mood. It also improves sleep quality, helping you feel more rested. Outdoor activities like walking, jogging, or cycling enhance health and deepen your connection to nature. Choosing to walk or bike instead of driving reduces your carbon footprint, supporting a sustainable lifestyle.

6. Declutter and organize 

Another satisfying and practical idea for the time between Christmas and New Year is decluttering and organizing. Start by clearing your laptop or smartphone of old screenshots, unnecessary documents, photos, and videos. It’s also the perfect opportunity to tidy up your physical space. Maybe you have an overflowing wardrobe and you could resell some clothes that you no longer wear. You can also donate them to a local charity or animal shelter. Or if you want to – you can repurpose the materials and create something new out of them. 

Decluttering not only brings a sense of accomplishment but also fosters positive energy. Starting the new year with an organized space offers a fresh start.

7. Explore local attractions

The final of our sustainable ideas for the days between Christmas and New Year is to explore some local attractions.

That thing that you always wanted to do/see but never got around to? Now is the time to see that museum, visit the farmer’s market or botanical garden. Or perhaps now the winter market will be a good place to stroll around. Plan your day and delve into it. A day out can be fun and informative. For those of us who work full time, we often don’t get to be out during daylight (especially in December). Make the most out of your day and enjoy a lunch or hot chocolate somewhere new. I tend to find inspiration from some of the local websites like this one https://www.expats.cz/czech-news/article/what-to-do-this-weekend-in-prague-best-events-dec-27-29

These quiet days between Christmas and New Year can feel like a blur. However, they’re also a wonderful opportunity to reset and recharge in a way that’s good for both you and the planet. Most of the ideas here are free, promote mindfulness, and align with sustainable living. Instead of striving for a picture-perfect holiday season, focus on what truly brings you joy and peace. In a world where we all see Insta aesthetics, you may feel pressured to have a perfect time. Compare yourself to yourself from a month/year ago, or earlier in life. Don’t compare yourself to others and their perfectly portrayed life online. Switch off and truly relax. 

With a love for nature,

Anna B-M