💌 Circular Advent Calendar 💌
The Toy Library’s Circular Christmas campaign encourages families to rethink holiday consumption. Join our Circular Advent Calendar and get your daily dose of inspiration on how to make this holiday season more sustainable.
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What is a Circular Christmas?
It's all about rethinking how we celebrate: sharing, reusing, and repurposing to create joy while reducing waste. Read more on the Ellen MacArthur Foundation.
What truly matters this holiday season?
Is it the mountains of wrapped gifts or the moments shared with loved ones? We can create holidays that are less about “stuff” and more about spirit.
Declutter now, share the joy later
Before new gifts arrive, let’s make space for them by giving old ones a new life. It's a powerful way to kickstart a circular holiday season.
Save money (and planet) this Xmas
Overspending during the holidays is common—but it doesn’t have to be. Don’t forget that the value of a gift doesn’t lie in the money spent for it 🫶
Countdown to Xmas, sustainably!
Instead of disposable advent calendars, make your own reusable version using jars, envelopes, or fabric pockets. For kids, opt for little elf appearing every morning till Christmas comes.
Support local this holiday season
Choosing local and ethical products supports communities and reduces your carbon footprint. Look for farmers' markets, fair-trade labels, or locally crafted goods. And opt for pre-loved toys!
Normalise gifting pre-loved toys
This holiday season, why shop when you can swap? A toy swap is a simple, fun, and budget-friendly way to refresh your gift selection while embracing sustainability. You may also check local libraries.
Creative and circular Christmas trees
Instead of traditional options that often come with environmental costs, choose to rent, reuse, or DIY your Christmas tree. You’ll be celebrating in style while caring for the planet.
Energy-saving holiday lights
Holiday lights bring warmth and joy to the season, but they don’t need to come at the cost of the environment—or your energy bill. Switch to LED lights, use timers, and consider solar-powered options.
Eco-friendly wrapping
Traditional wrapping paper is often not recyclable. Instead, consider Furoshiki fabric, customised brown kraft paper, or recycled maps. The joy of unwrapping will still be there!
Check these ideas
It’s okay to ask for secondhand
Secondhand doesn’t mean second-best! Gently used gifts are budget-friendly and environmentally conscious. And most of the time hidden treasures! Moreover, you’ll inspire others to do the same.
Deck the halls… sustainably
Make this year’s decorations planet-friendly: craft with natural materials like pinecones, twigs, or dried orange slices; upcycle old fabric or paper for garlands; swap decorations with friends for a fresh look.
The magic of handmade gifts
There’s something special about a gift made by hand. It’s personal, creative, and kinder to the planet. Try making a handmade candle or soap, cookies in a jar, or the most delicious spice blend.
More eco-gift ideas
Plan a feast, not a waste!
Plan your holiday meals to avoid overbuying. Make a shopping list, use portion calculators, and prioritise local, seasonal ingredients. If you are into plant-based meals or would like to give it a try, check the Planter app.
Give memories, not things
Experience gifts are thoughtful, often waste-free, and always meaningful. Why not considering a family subscription to Fota Wildlife Park or an Awesome Walls climbing membership–gifts that keep giving all year!
Bring joy to your community
Host a festive potluck and invite your neighbours to join. Sort the toys your children have outgrown, and get ready to share them with kids in your community. Make it even easier with The Toy Library, and spread joy around you!
Repair, reuse, revamp, reimagine
Give broken or outdated items a second life this holiday season. Revamp a tired piece of furniture, repair a cherished toy, or upcycle old jewellery into a new design. And gift an item filled with priceless history and charme.
New traditions, old memories
“We have always done it this way” doesn’t mean it was the good way of doing things. As the world changes, so too can the way we celebrate. We can preserve the spirit of what’s cherished while creating something lighter on the planet.
Zero-waste holiday gatherings
Keeping holiday parties waste-free is easier than it seems. Use real dishes and cutlery, plan portions to reduce food waste, and if you end up with leftovers, share them with your guests or create new delicious recipes with them!
Leftovers? Make them magical!
Transform holiday leftovers into new meals, avoiding succulent ingredients to go to waste. Try the ideas Jamie Oliver proposes, or check this article from The Guardian: it’s full of recipes just waiting to be tested.
Ripples of positive change 🌊
Your actions this season are contributing to a greener, more thoughtful holiday. By embracing circular principles, you’re doing more than reduce waste: you’re sparking conversations, inspiring others, and contributing to a global shift toward sustainability.
Stories that inspire circular living
You may have heard of Sharon Keilthy, the founder of Jiminy Eco Toys store. For us at The Toy Library, she’s one of the most inspiring human driving change in the circular economy of toys in Ireland. Learn about her journey in this 10 minutes video.
Wish offering kids sustainable joy?
Browse The Toy Library and find hidden treasures among the pre-loved toys that fellow families are donating in your neighbourhood. This Christmas, make a choice that don't harm the planet while protecting children's future.
FIND THE PERFECT GIFTThe Circular Christmas Hub
Toy swap and play, circular Santa, wrapping corner, eco-wish Christmas tree, Teddy Bear Hospital, raffles, cookies and tea, an online Advent Calendar, community, love, and much more. For a more sustainable holiday season!
The Toy Library Circular Christmas #1
The positive impact we created in only 4 hours:
😶🌫️ 243 toys recirculated
♻️ 723kg of CO2 saved
🔫 120kg of plastic saved
The Toy Library Circular Christmas #2
The positive impact we created in only 3 hours:
😶🌫️ 283 toys recirculated
♻️ 1087kg of CO2 saved
🔫 201kg of plastic saved
The Toy Library Circular Advent Calendar
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The Toy Library Circular New Year Event #3
Details:
🗓️ January 19th
⏰ From 11am to 2pm
📍Aula Maxima (UCC)