20 Eco-friendly Christmas Tips
Last update: December 3rd, 2021
How to have a more eco-friendly Christmas this year? From eco-friendly gifts to food waste reduction, don’t miss our tips on being more sustainable this holiday season.
Christmas, Christmas, Christmas. That magical time of the year and also one of the least environmentally friendly there is. Decorations packed with plastic, gift shopping, gift wrapping, the lights, the immense amount of food.
Having a more eco-friendly Christmas is easier than you think. It’s just a matter of doing a couple of things differently or being a little creative. If you feel that a more eco-friendly Christmas is pricier than a traditional one, I can assure you that won’t be the case. It might make you save some bucks compared to previous years while helping the planet at the same time.
So, what can you do to have a more eco-friendly Christmas this year?
Gifts
Whether you like it or not, gift-giving is an essential part of the Christmas season and not exactly sustainable. But here’s the deal, it doesn’t necessarily have to be like this.
Get your loved ones an eco-friendly gift: seize this opportunity to introduce them to eco-friendly items and minimize their current impact on the planet. Here are 31 eco-friendly gift ideas for your loved ones.
Get them something they want: a gift that doesn’t resonate with them usually ends up in the trash. Instead, ask what that person wants. Is there something they really need? Ask for several options, so it will be easier for you to find something within your budget.
Do something yourself: even if you don’t consider yourself the most arts and craftsperson in the whole world (that’s also my case), there are still a lot of DIY gifts you can do. Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered. Here are some ideas.
Buy locally: supporting your local businesses has never been this important.
Buy something handmade: if you don’t have a local fair where you live, Etsy is a great place to look up for a handmade gift. From natural cosmetics to beeswax wrappers, the sky is the limit here.
Choose quality over quantity: there was probably a time in your life when you thought the more gifts, the better. You’ve probably changed your mind by now. Instead of spending your budget on several little gifts, invest in a single present that will last for a long time.
If you’re buying online, try to buy more than one gift simultaneously to save on the packaging and the shipping process. In case you’re buying a gift to someone you won’t see in person during the Christmas season, have this gift shipped directly to their address. It’s better for the environment than having it delivered to your place and then sending it (or giving it) yourself later on.
Gift Wrapping
Oh, the gift wrapping. Even though it’s pretty lovely and pretty, it’s also a complete waste of money and resources.
If you want a more eco-friendly Christmas this year, one of the first things you can do is to swap a glossy gift wrap for something more sustainable:
Brown paper: an oldie but goodie. The best part? You can always let your creativity flow and add a bit of personality to it.
Old newspaper sheets are one of my absolute favorites and a perfect way of giving a new life to something that would otherwise end up in the recycling bin.
Store Paper Bags: you probably have a couple of these at home. I initially started to use these a few years ago to avoid having my family members guessing what their gift would be. Now, I reuse the very few paper bags I get throughout the year to wrap Christmas presents. A total win-win!
Cardboard boxes: from shoes or previous online purchases (like the ones from Lucía Be). Perfect for storing a present if you’re not particularly good at gift wrapping. Besides, if the box is pretty, there’s a huge chance that its receiver will keep it to store things.
Tote bags: so simple, yet so helpful. Not only do tote bags allow you to “gift wrap” in no time, but these can also be reused by the recipient regularly. Plus, you probably have a few spare ones that you don’t use that much, right?
Decoration
Whether you’re a Christmas enthusiast or want to add a Christmasy touch to your home, I have bad news for you: most Christmas decorations aren’t sustainable at all.
Plastic, glitter, polyester, and other harmful quality materials, and most of these are produced on the other side of the planet.
Here’s what you can do:
Reuse decorations from previous years: if they’re still good, why spend the money on new ones? As I’ve just mentioned, Christmas ornaments aren’t exactly eco-friendly. So use these as much as you can to minimize their environmental impact.
Buy second-hand: this is a perfect solution if you’re just getting started. Look up at your local thrift stores, online groups, and mobile apps. Remember: one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.
Make your own: let your creativity flow and use materials that you already have at home (pencils, sharpies, cardboard, glass jars).
Opt for wood and ceramics: if you’re getting something new, pay attention to the materials. Not all Christmas ornaments are made of plastic and covered with glitter.
Ditch the lights: let’s be honest, do you need these? While growing up, most Christmas lights would only last a year. Which is a total waste of money and resources. Save up on your electricity bill this year and light candles in your living room instead.
A tree made of books: nothing gives a Christmas vibe like a Christmas tree. But let’s face it: they’re not sustainable in any way. Either because you cut it out of nature or buy a plastic one. If you don’t have a Christmas tree and would like to have one this year, create one with books from your bookshelf. Here are some ideas.
Food
Appetizers, holiday candy, traditional recipes, desserts, snacks, even though we spend an entire year waiting for this moment, the truth is Holiday meals usually end up in a lot of food waste.
To avoid this and to have you eating Christmas leftovers for a week, here are some things you can do to have a more eco-friendly Christmas this year:
Plan: be realistic about the amount of food you need. Ask your family what they would like to eat and develop a small and sustainable meal plan. Even if it means skipping some of the Holiday season classics.
Give a new life to your leftovers: plan in advance what you’ll do with the pieces. Look up or come up with new recipes with the same ingredients.
Potluck dinner: organize a potluck dinner this year. It’s better for your wallet, the environment, and also your mental health. As you don’t have to cook everything. Tell your guests that one of your main goals is to avoid food waste. Ask them to be reasonable while cooking and to bring empty containers with them - so everyone can go home with an extra meal.
Reduce meat consumption: this is something that we all have to do. Besides being good for the environment, it’s also great for your health. I am not talking about hosting a vegan Christmas dinner, as it might not solve your family. Appetizers are a great way of reducing meat and introducing your family to some vegan classics. Need some ideas? Guacamole, hummus with carrot sticks, sweet potato chips, vegetable spring rolls.
Remember: don’t let eco-anxiety take away the Christmas joy from you. Every tiny step matters, and don’t beat yourself hard for not doing it all perfectly.
