The festive spirit is in the air, mingling with a newfound commitment to sustainable designs. If you’re an eco-conscious homeowner ready to ditch plastic ornaments for greener alternatives, here are some sustainable holiday decorating tips to elevate your holiday season.
Zero Waste Christmas Trees
Every joyful home needs a fresh Christmas tree gleaming with lights, a tree skirt, and neatly wrapped presents. However, 77% of Americans plan to purchase artificial trees made from PVC, a plastic known for its detrimental environmental impact. As sustainability becomes more front of mind, more eco-friendly options are available like rent-a-tree programs. After the holidays, tree farms can pick up your tree and replant it in its original habitat.
Take your eco-conscious approach further by embellishing your tree with cherished items like travel mementos, photos, childhood toys, or old jewelry. Nature-inspired adornments resembling backyard foliage can pair beautifully with repurposed items that call back to more nostalgic times.
Indoor Plants
Seasonal decor provides the perfect opportunity to embrace the season while connecting with nature. The shifting appeal of biophilic design has inspired homeowners to sustainably welcome lush greenery, festive foliage, and iconic palettes into their homes.
For starters, Norfolk Island pines are perfect mini Christmas trees that can be redecorated and replanted once spring arrives. Holly, eucalyptus, and evergreen shrubs draped along walls, doorways, mantels, or dining tables can fill your home with earthy fragrances. Likewise, placing herbs like rosemary and sage in your kitchen can further encapsulate holiday aromas. These choices enhance your home’s ambiance while promoting sustainability by reducing waste and supporting eco-friendly practices.
For sustainable arrangements, consider gathering foliage or purchasing floral bouquets from local shops to include gorgeous centerpieces. You can dress these arrangements with charming silver, gold, red, and green decoratives to liven family photos and cherished holiday cards with a festive glow. Supporting local shops is another way to reduce waste, reduce your carbon footprint, and ultimately create less environmental impact.
Eco-friendly Lighting
The holiday season is incomplete without the warmth of Christmas lights, but traditional incandescent bulbs burn through energy. Instead, opt for a greener approach with LED Christmas lights that reinvite the festive charm back to your home. LED lights conserve energy, last longer, and offer smart control, letting you easily adjust brightness, color, and timers from your phone.
For eco-friendly outdoor lighting, consider swapping to solar-powered string lights. Contrary to popular belief, many solar-powered lights can charge under cloudy conditions for added flexibility. You can also set up automatic timers or turn off lights to reduce your energy footprint. This approach will allow you to bask in holiday magic without compromising its shine.
Reusable Wrapping Paper
There’s nothing better than the sight of beautifully wrapped presents nestled beneath a tree. Instead of using disposable wrapping paper that often ends up in landfills, try furoshiki– a traditional Japanese wrapping cloth. Available in various patterns and sizes, furoshiki can be folded, knotted, and reused or gifted to your loved ones.
For other more eco-friendly gift-wrapping options, look for materials you already have at home. Consider repurposing items like tissue paper, silk, old drapery, and shipping boxes to give more attention to decorating your gifts. From there, complete your gifts with cotton gift bows, paper ribbons, and hemp twines for a natural touch.
Recycled Decorations
Recycled decorations and natural materials add timeless beauty to your home. Instead of purchasing plastic decorations, consider using pinecones, berries, bamboo, and wood for eco-friendly arrangements and displays.
Unlike traditional tinsel, which contains harmful PVC, incorporate the nostalgic charm of linen or paper garlands, wreaths, and tinsel. These tips can further help spruce up older decorations instead of buying new ones. From there, you can match holiday decor by swapping in festive throw pillows, blankets, and table linens to complement your seasonal style.
If you love scented candles, why not reuse glass jars and make your own? You can choose scents like nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla, pumpkin, or apple–perfect for lighting when guests arrive or giving as personalized gifts. If DIY decor is not your thing, you can also consider purchasing ethically sourced pieces that use natural, organic materials and are Fair Trade certified.
Embracing these sustainable holiday decorating tips can bring warmth and meaning to the most wonderful time of the year. If you found these ideas helpful, let us help you remodel your home with year-round sustainable design trends. Contact us today to start your journey!
