The holiday season is a time of fun, warmth and togetherness but it can also come with a big environmental cost. From disposable decorations to excess energy use the festivities can create a bigger carbon footprint than we realise. But what if this year you could decorate your home beautifully and care for the planet? Sustainable holiday decorations are good for the planet and add a personal touch to your home. Whether you’re celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or simply winter, going eco friendly with your decorations can make your festivities even more special.
In this post, we’ll show you how to celebrate sustainably by choosing decorations that will last for years, reduce waste and inspire others to do the same. Let’s get into some eco friendly holiday decorating ideas anyone can try!
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Why Choose Eco-Friendly Holiday Decorations?
Before we get into the tips, let’s understand why eco friendly holiday decorations are a better choice.
Every year millions of plastic decorations are produced, used for a short time and then thrown away. They end up in landfills or the ocean where they take hundreds of years to break down. By going eco friendly with your decorations you can reduce waste, save money in the long run and protect the planet for future generations.
Eco friendly holiday decorations can be made from natural, biodegradable or recycled materials and decorations you can reuse year after year. They are often more durable and personal to your home and give your home a warm and real holiday feel.
Sustainable Christmas Tree Options
Your holiday decorations often start with the Christmas tree, so let’s look at how you can make an eco-friendly choice right from the start.
- Real vs. Artificial: Which Is More Sustainable?
Many people believe that using an artificial tree is more sustainable because it can be reused for many years. However, most artificial trees are made of PVC (a type of plastic), which is not biodegradable and can be harmful to the environment during production and disposal.
On the other hand, real trees are biodegradable, can be composted, and often come from sustainable tree farms that plant new trees each year. While cutting down a real tree may seem less eco-friendly, choosing a sustainably sourced tree or even a potted tree that can be replanted after the holidays is a great way to go green.
- Alternative Sustainable Christmas Tree Ideas
If you want to avoid cutting down a tree altogether, there are many creative alternatives. You can:
- Create a DIY tree from driftwood, reclaimed wood, or fallen branches.
- Use a fabric or felt tree that can be hung on the wall and decorated with lightweight ornaments.
- Build a tree shape using books, string lights, or other household items.
By thinking outside the box, you can create a tree that’s both unique and eco-friendly!
Sustainable Ornaments and Decorations
Once your tree is set, it’s time to add ornaments and other festive decorations. The good news is that you can easily make your decorations sustainable without sacrificing style or fun.
- DIY Ornaments from Natural Materials
Making your own ornaments is not only a fun holiday activity but also a great way to create sustainable decorations. Try using natural materials like:
- Pinecones: Collect these from your yard or a local park and decorate them with paint or glitter.
- Dried oranges: Slice and dry oranges to create colorful, fragrant ornaments that are biodegradable.
- Cinnamon sticks and twine: Tie cinnamon sticks together with twine for a rustic and fragrant decoration.
These materials are all biodegradable and can be composted after the holidays if needed.
- Recycled and Upcycled Decorations
Instead of buying new plastic ornaments, why not upcycle materials you already have at home? You can:
- Use scraps of fabric to make homemade ornaments or garlands.
- Recycle old holiday cards into paper garlands or ornaments.
- Paint empty glass jars or bottles to create holiday-themed candle holders or vases.
By upcycling, you give new life to old items, keeping them out of landfills and reducing the demand for new products.
Sustainable Holiday Lighting
Holiday lights add a magical glow to any home, but they can also consume a lot of energy. Here are a few ways to make your holiday lighting more sustainable.
- Switch to LED Lights
LED lights use up to 80% less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs and last much longer. Not only will switching to LED lights save energy, but it will also lower your electricity bill during the holidays.
- Use Solar-Powered Outdoor Lights
For outdoor decorations, consider using solar-powered lights. These lights charge during the day and shine brightly at night without using any electricity. They’re perfect for lighting up your yard, porch, or garden during the festive season.
- Set Timers on Your Lights
To save even more energy, set your holiday lights on a timer. This way, your lights will automatically turn off when no one is around to enjoy them, reducing unnecessary energy consumption.
Eco-Friendly Gift Wrapping and Packaging
Decorations aren’t the only thing that can be made more sustainable during the holiday season. Gift wrapping often contributes to a significant amount of waste, but with a few simple changes, you can wrap gifts in a way that’s both beautiful and eco-friendly.
- Use Reusable Materials
Instead of buying new wrapping paper, try using materials you already have around the house. Some creative ideas include:
- Fabric: Wrap gifts in colorful scarves, fabric scraps, or cloth napkins. This method, inspired by the Japanese tradition of furoshiki, can be reused over and over.
- Newspapers and magazines: Use old newspapers or magazines to wrap gifts in a creative and artistic way.
- Reusable bags: Wrap gifts in reusable tote bags or drawstring pouches, which can also be part of the gift.
- Decorate with Natural Elements
Instead of using plastic bows or ribbons, decorate your gifts with natural elements like twine, pine branches, or dried flowers. These materials add a beautiful, rustic touch and can be composted afterward.
Example of Sustainable holiday decorations
Sustainable holiday decorations are eco-friendly alternatives to the mass produced decorations. They reduce waste, reuse materials and use natural, biodegradable or recyclable items. Here are some examples of sustainable holiday decorations:
DIY Ornaments from Nature
- Pinecones: Collect pinecones from outside and use them as ornaments. You can paint them, add glitter or tie a ribbon to hang them on your tree.
- Dried Orange Slices: Slice oranges thinly and dry them in the oven or air dry them. They add a pop of colour to your tree and are completely biodegradable.
- Cinnamon Sticks: Tie a few cinnamon sticks together with twine for rustic scented ornaments.
Upcycled Decorations
- Old Clothing or Fabric Scraps: Use old clothes to create fabric garlands, stockings or even wrap gifts. Reduces textile waste and gives new life to materials you already have.
- Recycled Paper Garlands: Cut out shapes from old holiday cards, magazines or newspapers to create garlands. String them together with twine or ribbon for a lovely touch.
- Glass Jars as Candle Holders: Use old glass jars and fill with small LED candles or tea lights for a warm sustainable glow.
Reusable Decorations
- Wooden Ornaments: Buy or make wooden ornaments, they are durable and can be reused year after year. They are biodegradable and can be painted or left natural for a minimalist look.
- Fabric Bunting and Garlands: Instead of plastic tinsel or disposable garlands, use fabric bunting or garlands made from cotton, burlap or other natural fibers. They can be washed and reused every holiday season.
Sustainable Christmas Tree Alternatives
- Potted Christmas Tree: Instead of cutting down a tree, choose a potted tree that you can plant in your yard after the holidays.
- DIY Wooden Christmas Tree: Use reclaimed wood or branches to build a minimalist wooden Christmas tree. You can decorate it with ornaments and lights just like a real tree, but it’s more sustainable and can be reused for many years.
- Wall-Mounted Fabric Trees: A fabric or felt tree that can be hung on the wall saves space, is reusable and can be decorated with lightweight ornaments.
Eco-Friendly Lighting
- LED Lights: Use energy saving LED lights, they consume up to 80% less energy than traditional bulbs and last longer.
- Solar Powered Outdoor Lights: For outdoor decorations use solar powered string lights. They charge during the day and automatically turn on at night.
Natural and Compostable Decorations
- Evergreen Branches: Use cuttings from pine, fir or spruce trees to decorate your home. They can be used as table centerpieces, mantle decorations or wreaths. Once the holidays are over you can compost them.
- Herbs and Plants: Use fresh herbs like rosemary or eucalyptus, they look great and smell wonderful. Use as garlands, table decorations or even gift toppers.
By opting for these types of sustainable holiday decorations, you can reduce your environmental footprint while creating a cozy and festive atmosphere in your home. Plus, many of these ideas encourage creativity and allow you to personalize your holiday decor in unique ways!
Sustainable Holiday Decorations FAQs
Are real Christmas trees more sustainable than artificial ones?
Yes, real Christmas trees from sustainable farms are more eco-friendly than artificial trees made from non-biodegradable plastic. Real trees can be composted or repurposed after the holidays, artificial trees end up in landfills after a few years.
How can I waste less when decorating for the holidays?
Waste less by using decorations made from natural, biodegradable materials or upcycle what you already have. Use reusable decorations, DIY ornaments and energy efficient lighting like LED or solar powered lights.
What are some eco-friendly alternatives to wrapping paper?
Eco-friendly alternatives are wrapping gifts in reusable fabrics, newspapers, magazines or even reusable shopping bags. You can also decorate gifts with natural elements like twine, pine branches or dried flowers.
Can I still have nice holiday decorations if I go sustainable?
Yes! Sustainable decorations can be just as beautiful if not more so because they often have a more personal and handmade touch. Using natural materials like pinecones, wood and recycled items can create a cozy and warm atmosphere.
Conclusion
Sustainable holiday decorations are a great way to celebrate the season while being kind to the planet. By choosing eco-friendly materials, upcycling what you already have and reducing waste you can have a greener holiday season without sacrificing style or tradition. Remember the key to a sustainable celebration is to be mindful and intentional with your choices. Whether you’re decorating your home, wrapping gifts or lighting up the night, every little bit counts!
This year, let your holiday decorations show off your festive spirit and your love for the planet.