In Münster, Christmas decorations are exchanged and given away

DOMRADIO.DE: You actually provide energy advice for citizens. But now are you sitting in the middle of Advent wreaths, angels and Christmas tree baubles?

Jessica Fischer (House of Sustainability, Münster): That’s exactly how you can imagine it. We are currently doing our Christmas decoration exchange and gift exchange. It is actually the case that we are sitting in the middle of these glittering and shiny Christmas decorations.

If the weather is nice, we can also move it outside a bit, in front of our shop. But yes, you can imagine it that way. That means we set up big tables and tried to sort it out and have a lot of boxes and boxes. There are a variety of wonderful Christmas decorations in there.

DOMRADIO.DE: Since mid-November you have been doing this gift-giving and swapping for Christmas decorations. Are people already starting to think about decorating the tree?

Fisherman: Yes, we started it at that point. Because that’s exactly when the European weeks of waste prevention began. And that is of course a contribution that we want to make in this sense.

In addition to all the beautiful and contemplative things we spread, it of course has this background. It turned out that it was exactly right and that people are already hearing about it. Many people are also happy when they come in here and say: Ah, now the Christmas spirit is really starting.

DOMRADIO.DE: Can you only drop it off or take it with you? Free? How does this work?

Fisherman: We called it a Christmas decoration giveaway and swap meet. Actually everything is possible with us. Of course, the basic idea is that you give something away and bring something back with you. But it doesn’t have to be one to one at all. There is no control, no regulation, nothing at all. The people who come to us can use and give freely.

Boxes of balls, tinsel, stars and angels are delivered and sometimes just a small particle, which is then used to tell the story. And it’s the same with takeout. There is also the option of just borrowing the decorations, for an event, for example.

DOMRADIO.DE: You just mentioned tinsel. I thought there used to be more tinsel and no one used it anymore.

Fisherman: Yes, that is actually the case, at least according to our experience here. It’s more of an isolated case, but tinsel was also delivered. An older lady picked up a lot of jewelry, including some from her in-laws, as she told me. And a little hurt, she asked if she could give the tinsel to us too.

They were allowed to, because we don’t go into detail when it comes to sustainability and environmental protection. The focus is on the exchange aspect and waste avoidance. And maybe there will be one or two people who will be happy about it.

DOMRADIO.DE: Do you hear stories that revolve around the objects and are connected to really personal things?

Fisherman: That actually exists. That’s really warm too. We enjoy work, every day, especially at the moment. It is the case that even older people carefully bring these valuable and well-maintained glass balls here in the original boxes from before. And of course there are also sad stories: your partner has died, you move into a smaller apartment and don’t need much anymore. The children are out of the house…

But there are also nice stories: Maybe you’ve moved in together or are new to the city and don’t have that much jewelry yet. A woman quickly had tears in her eyes. She had discovered a very long silver Christmas tree topper and said: “No, that doesn’t exist. We used to have those when I was a kid.” Plus, it’s really nice. There are many stories coming; Emotions are always somehow connected with it.

DOMRADIO.DE: Are these classifications that come to you?

Fisherman: That is also different. They are divisions, they are pairs, they are groups. It’s not just people from Münster and Münster, there are also many visitors. Especially now for the Christmas markets.

We are particularly pleased that daycare centers and schools also take advantage of the offer and then receive the decorations here for their poinsettias in front of the church, from school or at the daycare center for a Christmas party and are simply happy and grateful because they are that you probably wouldn’t be able to buy otherwise.

DOMRADIO.DE: How do you make sure you don’t drown in stars, fairy lights, candles, stands, pine branches?

Fisherman: That’s a good question. We think about this almost every day now. It’s really like we get new things every day. We organized it quite well and to be honest, we also have a bit of storage capacity and a lot is taken away.

We have put up signs outside to encourage people to come here. It should be low-threshold, we’re trying to motivate people to take something with them. Because of course a lot of people are more reserved and don’t have the confidence, but we manage it really well.

DOMRADIO.DE: So, what can you do: come in spontaneously and take something with you, without paying?

Fisherman: In any case. That’s exactly how it is intended. Some are reserved or disbelieving. But we can always sort that out quickly. Of course, conversations then take place and people are totally grateful and happy.

And we also get a lot of support because they all totally support the ideas of sustainability and waste avoidance that lie behind it.

The interview was conducted by Uta Vorbrodt.