5 Simple Ways to Green Your Holidays This Year and Beyond

The holidays often mean different things to different people, but whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, or Kwanzaa, each tradition involves similar rituals: decorating, entertaining, and gift-giving. And for many of us, traveling is also part of the equation. If greening your holiday tradition is important to you, here are some tips for making small adjustments that can go a long way toward reducing your footprint both this holiday season and for many seasons to come.

1. Tree or no tree?

Since the first trees were literally cut down and displayed in family homes almost two centuries ago, the Christmas tree has played a huge role in our cultural identification and celebration of Christmas. In the 1960s, our desire for convenience (and perhaps a little kitsch) gave rise to the artificial tree industry. And while many people still opt for the natural choice, the first major question that comes to mind for those looking to go green is whether or not to buy a tree.

Natural trees are always preferred over synthetic ones, most of which are made from petroleum derivatives and can pose health risks in the event of a fire due to toxins released into the air when burned. If cutting down a tree just so you can enjoy it for a few weeks seems like an unnecessary waste, consider a live tree in a pot. You can place it anywhere in your home and after the season is over, replant it in your garden or donate it to an organization that will plant it somewhere for you. This option takes the hassle out of disposing of a natural tree, especially if you live somewhere where there are no tree recycling programs or you don’t have access to a wood chipper. If you opt for a real tree, check out the National Christmas Tree Association website for a list of organizations that can help you recycle or replant your tree.

Of course, the greenest way to do it is to skip the tree entirely. If you crave the smell and ambiance that comes with a real tree, you can recreate it by diffusing essential oils like Fir Balsam or Fir Douglas, Spruce Hemlock, and/or Scotch Pine. Blend essential oils of Orange, Cinnamon, Clove, Ginger, Nutmeg, and Cedarwood to experience the full spectrum of Christmas scents.

2. Decorate the corridors with natural options

For many, the tree is simply a device for displaying ornaments, and the joy of the season comes primarily from creating, purchasing, and hanging seasonal ornaments. The greener option here is decorations made from all natural materials like dried fruit and popcorn, pineapples, and recycled material like metal, paper, and fabrics, including ribbons that can be used to make decorative bows.

Of course, nothing adds more ambience to Christmas decor than lighting, whether it’s wrapped around a tree or hung from windows. There is now a wide selection of indoor and outdoor LED (light-emitting diode) Christmas lights that can rival any of the traditional versions you’ve used over the years and are far superior in energy efficiency. They have a lifespan of up to twenty years, use almost no energy when you plug them in, and stay cool to the touch, minimizing any potential fire hazard. For outdoor lighting, consider solar-powered string lights, especially if you live somewhere that gets a reasonable amount of sunlight during the winter months.

3. Cool gifts with natural outfit

Holiday gift-giving is probably the area that offers the greatest opportunity to deepen sustainability. From fair trade items like jewelry, crafts, clothing, and even food to organic baby toys and furniture, to donations to local charities and nonprofits on behalf of others, to volunteering or donations of time or in-kind services. Regifting is a perfectly acceptable way to minimize waste by following the 3R principle (reuse, reduce and recycle), as long as the items you regift add some value to the people you plan to give them to.

Culinary and handmade gifts are an excellent option. It’s hard not to love a box of handmade cookies, a beautiful Christmas cake, or even a meal carefully prepared in your kitchen with love. If you’re too busy to cook, you can do a variation on this theme by making gift baskets with all the ingredients needed to whip up a batch of their famous chocolate chip cookies or a delicious pasta dinner. To keep it as green as possible, be sure to use organic, fair trade, or locally produced ingredients.

Try to keep the amount of wrapping paper you use to a minimum and forego typical wrapping paper in favor of recycled or recyclable kraft paper or white butcher paper. You can embellish your plain paper wrapping with reusable fabric ribbons like grosgrain, satin, or organdy. Or go for all natural materials like raffia and sinamay. You can also try velvet fabric bags read or organza bags.

4. Entertainment with a conscious touch

Whether it’s dinner parties, buffets or cocktail receptions, it can certainly make your entertaining more sustainable both at home and at work. Starting with the invitations themselves. Instead of paper invitations, why not use an electronic invitation service like Avoid to notify everyone? If you prefer paper invitations, use 100% recycled, bleach-free, or FSC-certified paper. If you want to get really innovative, try Ellie Pooh products: paper products made from elephant dung! If you’re hosting a major event that involves invitation printing, use a local eco-friendly print shop that can print on recycled material using soy-based inks.

As for decorations, keep it simple. Use soy candles with lead-free wicks to create ambiance or use LED lights to save energy. Consider making decorative centerpieces out of items you find in your backyard, such as pine branches, sticks, and beautiful leaves; bunches of fresh or dried herbs; or bowls of potpourri made with natural ingredients like dried rose petals, citrus peel, cloves, or other fruits and spices. Arrange them in a decorative container made from sustainable wood or bamboo. Or buy organic flowers at a local florist.

When planning your menu, remember to stick to locally grown produce, organic ingredients, hormone-free and meat and poultry, and sustainably caught seafood, whether you’re doing the cooking or hiring someone else to do it. Use good dinnerware and glasses instead of disposable plastic plates, cups, and cutlery. This is not only more sustainable, but actually improves the environment. If you must use a less expensive option, opt for reusable dinner plates and real cutlery or fully compostable dinnerware. Finally, set up clearly marked recycling bins or boxes for bottles and cans, and separate bins for plastics, paper, and compostable items. It may seem like a lot of extra work, but it’s well worth it and will make cleanup a breeze.

5. Reduce your carbon footprint: travel, shopping and holiday cards

Minimizing your carbon footprint is one of the best things you can do during the holiday season, especially with all the travel and time you normally spend in cars, trains, or planes.
If you must travel this year, use public transportation whenever possible. It is preferable to take the train or bus rather than a flight, but if you must fly to your destination, try to book a direct flight, as taking off and landing require large amounts of fuel.

Shopping online is another great way to cut down on wasted time, energy, and fuel driving to the mall, getting stuck in traffic jams, and endlessly driving around looking for parking. Carriers like UPS now offer merchants the opportunity to purchase carbon offsets for their shipments. Ask online retailers if they use this option. Or take advantage of online retailers that offer electronic gift certificates or cards.

And finally, skip sending holiday cards, especially if your list is long. Consider using online card services like Paperless Post or for more extravagant deals try Jacquie Lawson’s animated eCards.

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