Christmas is just around the corner, and if you’re anything like me, you have already started planning this year’s decorations. The holidays are truly one of my favorite parts of the year. You get to bake, spend time with loved ones and listen to all the Christmas music. The downside to the festiveness is that it can have a negative impact on the environment. Just take a moment to think about it – all the plastic garlands, plastic trees, ornaments… The list goes on! Consumption skyrockets during Christmas time. It is easy to get pulled into the consumption hype, but let’s try to take the environment into consideration this Christmas. Luckily, we are seeing a growing trend of sustainable holiday decor. After all, isn’t Christmas mostly about celebrating and spending time with those we love? In this post we will explore green alternatives to Christmas decor, as well as some DIY projects that are eco-friendly.
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The Eco-Friendly Mindset
Your choices can help minimize waste, and inspire others to do the same. The holiday season often leads to increased waste, energy consumption, and greenhouse gas emissions due to extensive travel, excessive packaging, and higher consumption of resources. Eco-conscious choices help reduce these negative environmental impacts. There are so many eco-friendly alternatives out there, so let’s dive into them!
DIY Sustainable Decor Projects
1. Natural Wreaths and Garlands
Last year I made the wreath for my door from scratch. It turned out so beautiful and I loved that it was made out of natural materials! Here’s what you need:
- a simple straw or branch wreath
- wire or twine
- greenery and decoration pieces like dried flowers, pinecones or nuts
Add the greenery first. Wrap your twine around the wreath to secure your greenery. See a detailed tutorial here. I love using evergreen branches from the forest. You can also use foliage like eucalyptus. Whatever you like! Finish your wreath by adding dried flowers, decorative nuts and pinecones. And there you have your eco-friendly and nostalgic Christmas wreath!
2. Upcycled Ornaments
Instead of running to the first home decor store you think off for new ornaments, try to think of ways you could repurpose items you already own to create some new, fresh holiday ornaments. Check out these ideas from Pinterest:
3. Recycled Wrapping Paper
One of the biggest things contributing to waste during the holidays is the huge amount of wrapping paper. A lot of this paper includes synthetic materials and plastics that are impossible to recycle. This year, opt for recycled and recycle-able wrapping paper.
There are many small businesses that sell this kind of paper. Etsy is a great place to look. Or maybe you want to try making your own? Here’s a step by step guide.
You could also wrap your gifts in reusable gifts like pretty dish towels or cheese cloth.
4. DIY Beeswax Candles
Beeswax candles offer a multitude of benefits, making them a popular choice for eco-conscious consumers. They are renowned for their clean and long-lasting burn, emitting a subtle, natural honey scent. Beyond their pleasant fragrance, beeswax candles are a sustainable choice, as they are renewable and biodegradable. They also emit negative ions when burned, helping to purify the air by removing dust and allergens, promoting better indoor air quality. This makes them an excellent choice for those seeking a healthier and eco-friendly alternative to paraffin candles, while also providing a warm and cozy atmosphere during the holiday season and beyond.
Making them at home can be a fun holiday activity, and you can even make some to give away as eco-friendly gifts!
Here’s a step by step guide on how to make them:
Materials You’ll Need:
- Beeswax sheets or pellets (source from a local farm if possible)
- Wick (pre-waxed wick is preferred)
- Scissors
- Ruler
- Double boiler or microwave-safe bowl
- Stirring stick
- Essential oils (optional for fragrance)
- Glass jars
Step 1: Clear a clean and flat surface, and lay down a sheet of wax paper to protect your work surface from any wax spills. Place your containers on the surface.
Step 2: Measure the wick to the desired length, allowing a couple of extra inches for trimming. Cut it using scissors. If you’re using a pre-waxed wick, you can skip this step.
Step 3: Melt the beeswax pellets in a double boiler or a microwave-safe bowl in short intervals. Stir the wax occasionally until it’s completely melted. If you’d like to add fragrance, now is the time to mix in a few drops of your chosen essential oil.
Step 4: Secure the wicks to the bottom of your jars using superglue. Keep the wick steady by adding a clamp to the top of the wick.
Step 6: Create the Candle by pouring the wax gently into your containers, paying great attention so you do not get any wax on the edges of the jars.
Step 7: Once you’ve achieved your desired candle size, trim the wick to about 1/4 inch above the candle’s surface. This helps ensure a clean and even burn.
Step 8: Let your beeswax candle cool and harden completely. This may take a few hours.
Step 9: Once your candle is fully cooled and solid, it’s ready to light. The natural beeswax will emit a warm and pleasant honey scent as it burns.
Making beeswax candles is a creative and sustainable way to add a cozy and eco-friendly ambiance to your home during the holidays and beyond.
Green Alternatives for Christmas lights
Eco-Friendly Lighting
When it comes to your Christmas lights, consider switching to LED lights. Energy-efficient and LED holiday lights offer numerous advantages. They consume far less energy than traditional incandescent lights, reducing your electricity bills. Their extended lifespan means fewer replacements. LED lights are durable and shock-resistant, enhancing safety. They produce minimal heat, making them safer around flammable materials. LED lights remain cool to the touch, are instantly lit, and are environmentally friendly due to their reduced energy usage. There are solar and battery options out there, offering flexibility and cost savings over time. Whether for a traditional or dynamic holiday display, LED lights are a smart and eco-conscious choice.
Eco-Friendly Holiday Hosting
Chrismas is a time for celebration and parties. Maybe you are hosting a party this year. Here are some tips for eco-concious hosting:
- Use dishware you already have or borrow from friends and family. Nothing is more sustainable than reusing items you already own. I’m sure you have some plates and dishes in neutral colors that you could mix and match. If not, head to a local thrift store and see what you can find! You do not need to go out and buy a brand new set of Christmas dishware. Another idea is to check out local thrift stores for pretty plates, dishes and cutlery.
- Get ingredients food from local organic farms. Christmas is a great time to start supporting local farmers. Look for farms that sell their produce directly to consumers through farmer’s markets or farm stores. Bonus points if the farms practice sustainable practices like regenerative agriculture.
- Use cloth napkins instead of paper ones. These can be reused year after year.
- Decorate with natural materials like evergreen branches, or homemade beeswax candles!
Conclusion
To sum it up, there are so many ways to make your holiday decor more sustainable. From making your own wreaths and beeswax candles, to using recycled wrapping paper and hosting eco-friendly Christmas get-togethers, there is no need to let your holiday fun have negative impacts on the environment. I hope you feel encouraged to make some green choices this year. And remember: the most important thing is celebrating this holiday with people that you care about.