The most wonderful time of the year [1] is also a time when household waste multiplies . . . a lot. From wrapping paper [2] to tons of food, it's easy to waste more than we normally would during the holidays when parties and family get-togethers [3] are involved. But with the realities of climate change [4] becoming a more pressing concern every day, it's good to think of the little ways you can be more eco-friendly. From making homemade ornaments to emailing holiday cards to choosing reusable napkins, there's a myriad of small, sustainable decisions [5] that can lead to a big reduction waste. Keep reading to see them all now, and get ready to go green (and red).
Use Real Dishware and Silverware
The temptation to use plates and silverware that you don't have to wash after hosting a holiday party is a big one. Instead, commit to using real dishware and utensils. With so many helpful hands around, cleaning up will be a breeze and you'll avoid the giant, unnecessary waste that comes with single-use items.
Gift-Wrap Presents With Fabric and String
Instead of wrapping presents in paper wrapping paper that's sure to be thrown away after being opened, try wrapping gifts in reusable fabric and tying it nicely with a string. Your gifts will look stunning and you won't be wasting as much!
Give Plants as Gifts
Plants [7] require little to no gift-wrapping and even do their own little bit to purify the air. Plus, that vibrant greenery in the home is sure to be a welcome presence during the Winter months.
Use Cloth Napkins
In the same vein as dishware, resist the urge to use paper napkins and instead give your guests a cloth napkin. One easy run through the wash and those napkins are good as new. If you don't own cloth napkins, the holidays are a great time to buy some! Pick up a cute holiday print or grab a solid color for all-year use. You'll be able to use them time and time again instead of filling up a landfill with one-use napkins.
Use Paperless Post For Holiday Cards
Who doesn't love getting Christmas cards? But instead of sending paper cards that will only be tossed out after the holidays, try using Paperless Post [8]. It's a great way for your friends and family to feel like they're opening a card without the pollution of having it delivered by mail.
Give Food Items as Gifts
Who doesn't love homemade jams and syrups?! You can take most any fruit or herb and boil it with sugar to create delicious drizzles that could be used in cocktails, on pancakes, in your tea, and much more! And it doesn't just have to be syrup. Any homemade goodie is extra thoughtful, and sharing something you've made creates a lifelong holiday memory that you and your loved one will always look back on.
Utilize the Decorations You Already Have
Don't worry about trends. Christmas is timeless! You don't need to buy more and newer decorations [9] — you just need to get creative. If you've grown tired of your usual decorations, try setting them up in a new way. Change up where you put the tree, move the stockings, or hang the lights in a new way. Even small differences that break with years of simple habit can feel like big, exciting changes.
Make Salt Dough Ornaments
If you're looking to add some new ornaments to your Christmas tree, try making them out of salt dough [10]. You can even add essential oils to add a lovely aroma to your home. (Bonus: while you make some for yourself, you can also make some for gifts. Each ornament will come with a story to tell baked right in.)
Give Tickets as Gifts
Whether it's concert tickets, museum tickets, airfare, or some other occasion, tickets can be a great present that fits your loved ones unique interests without requiring shipping or wrapping. Also, a lot of ticketing is done electronically now, which saves even more paper!
Do a Secondhand-Gift Exchange
Arranging a secondhand-gift exchange [11] is the perfect way to encourage others in your family to become more minimal. Part of the fun of thrift shopping is discovering hidden treasures that may be decades old, and changing it up with secondhand gifts is a fun way to shop that's also good for the environment.