How to Have a Sustainable Holiday Season
Tips for an Eco-Friendly Celebration
The holiday season brings joy and connection, but it can also generate a lot of waste and environmental impact. As a wellness coach, I believe sustainability is an essential part of a healthy, balanced life.
About five years ago I heard about a Los Angeles based company called The Living Christmas Company that rented live Christmas trees in pots. They delivered the tree and then picked it up after the holiday. There were a variety of trees available including pine and spruce trees and more traditionally shaped trees and misfit trees.
Price was dependent on size, type and shape with most expensive being tall, traditionally shaped spruce trees that look more like the Noble Fir. I loved this idea and purchased trees from them for the past few years. Even though the tree costs more than our usual tree, my kids referred to it as a Charlie Brown tree since it was not as big or perfectly shaped as the trees we had in the past.
If the cost is in your budget and if you are flexible about your choices this is a wonderful sustainable way to enjoy a tree at the holidays without any guilt. They do sell out early though.
Here are more ideas to help you celebrate consciously and create meaningful memories while reducing waste:
1. Rethink Gift-Giving
Give Experiences, Not Things:
Instead of material gifts, consider experiences like cooking classes, concert tickets, or spa days. Experiences often foster deeper connections and create lasting memories without adding clutter.
Opt for Sustainable Gifts:
For physical gifts, choose items made from sustainable materials, such as organic textiles, bamboo, or recycled materials. Look for local artisans and fair-trade shops to reduce your carbon footprint and support ethical businesses. Buy gifts that encourage sustainability like a cloth reusable bag that can be folded to fit in a purse, a reusable water bottle, a bamboo kitchen brush set or UNpaper towels which reduce the need for paper towels.
Wrap Responsibly:
Reusable wrapping options, such as fabric gift wraps, scarves, or simple brown paper decorated with natural elements, can be beautiful and waste-free. You can also reuse boxes, bags and ribbons, and make tags from the Christmas cards you received last year. If you do choose wrapping paper, opt for the kind without foil, metallic or glitter so it can be recycled.
2. Embrace Eco-Friendly Decorations
Choose Natural Décor:
Incorporate natural items like pinecones, berries, and branches into your decorations. They’re compostable, and they add a cozy, rustic charm to your space.
Switch to LED Lights:
LED lights use less energy and last longer than traditional bulbs. You’ll reduce your electricity consumption while still creating a warm holiday glow.
Skip the Single-Use Plastics:
Instead of plastic-based decorations, try wooden ornaments or paper garlands that are biodegradable or reusable.
Get a Real Tree not plastic:
Choose a live or fresh cut Christmas tree instead of a plastic one and compost your freshly cut tree. Plastic trees even though reused for many years still end up in a landfill and will take hundreds of years to decompose.
3. Plan Sustainable Gatherings
Reduce Food Waste:
Plan your holiday menu carefully, sticking to portions that are right for your gathering size. Encourage guests to bring reusable containers to take home leftovers, or get creative with holiday meal leftovers. If you make a turkey, use the bones to make broth or soup.
Source Local, Organic Ingredients
Supporting local farmers and choosing organic ingredients not only tastes better, but it also reduces the carbon emissions associated with long-distance food transport.
Use Real Plates and Cutlery
Opt for reusable dishware instead of disposable plastic to cut down on waste. If you’re short on dishes, consider renting or borrowing extras instead of buying disposables. If disposable plates are necessary choose bamboo or paper and stay away from plastic.
4. Travel with Intention
Consider Staycations: While it can be wonderful to visit family and friends, traveling less during the holiday season can reduce your carbon footprint. Think about ways to create holiday traditions closer to home.
Carpool and Use Public Transportation:
If travel is essential, look into eco-friendly transport options, such as trains or carpooling with friends or family members.
5. Give Back to the Planet
Start a New Tradition of Giving Back:
The holidays are a time of giving, so why not incorporate charitable acts into your celebrations? Plant a tree in honor of each family member, donate to environmental charities, or volunteer for a local clean-up.
Reflect on Sustainable Habits for the New Year:
The holiday season can be a great time to set eco-friendly goals for the coming year. Whether it’s using less plastic, cutting down on energy, or reducing meat consumption, small changes add up.
A More Conscious Holiday Season
Creating a sustainable holiday season not only reduces environmental impact but also aligns with the values of mindfulness and intentional living. By making small, eco-friendly changes, you can still enjoy the magic of the season while doing your part to protect our planet. Happy, sustainable holidays!
Please share your thoughts and experience about these two important questions.
What is one thing you can do this holiday season to make it more sustainable?
