Green Alternative to Christmas Markets Debuts in Prague

A Christmas edition is slated for December 4. According to Greenglasses co-founder Jenny Day the latest outing of the event hopes to inspire more awareness surrounding holiday wastefulness.

“From food to decorations and gifts, it’s no secret that consumption—and unfortunately waste—levels are especially high at Christmastime,” she says.

The market portion of the event will feature products made in the Czech Republic using recycled, organic, or otherwise eco-friendly materials; several vendors will be raising funds for local charitable organizations.

Look for sustainable clothing from EtikButik, cozy socks from Slovak label Rebeliot, and eco-friendly kid’s fashion from Little Dreamers Handmade.

“We hope that people will find some great gifts and maybe come away inspired to celebrate a more eco-friendly Christmas this year,” Ms. Day says.

DIY gift and decoration workshops are also planned. Whip up a fairtrade advent wreath, a gift of upcycled jewelry or homemade cosmetics, or decorate a wooden Christmas ornament using milk painting, an ancient technique that is being brought back in vogue by Czech company Mlékovky.

And what would a holiday market be without festive eats? If you seek an alternative to sausage, grog, and other local holiday favorites, numerous food stalls will be serving healthy fare, including vegan alternatives to traditional Christmas cookies as well as organic hot apple cider from Opilý jabko.

Says Ms. Day of the edible offerings: “We’re also excited to be collaborating with Slow Food Youth Network Prague on its anti-food-waste disco soup lunch, a group event where we’ll dance and cook using vegetables that would otherwise be discarded for aesthetic reasons.”

In addition to shopping and food, the entertainment portion of the day will include a virtual reality experience presented by Greenpeace and free screenings of the documentaries “Before The Flood” and “Just Eat It.”

“Making more eco-friendly choices about how we eat, decorate, and shop during the holiday season doesn’t have to take away from the fun…in fact, it can add to it, and can have a big impact,” says Ms. Day.