Marcus RichardsThe holidays are a time for family, friends, and festive decorations. It’s the season to be more conscious of your holiday habits and make small changes that can have a big impact. As much as we love the holidays, they can often be a strain on the environment. To make your holidays more sustainable, start with your home décor. Here are eight great ideas for sustainable home décor this holiday season:
1. Have a Checklist for Sustainably Decorating Your Home
When planning your holiday décor, make a checklist of what you need and what you already have. This will help you avoid buying new things unnecessarily. If you need to buy something, look for sustainable and eco-friendly options. Many companies now offer sustainable home décor products made from recycled materials. A holiday planning checklist will also help you stay organized and avoid last-minute shopping trips, often leading to impulse buys. It’s also a good idea to easily list where you’ll be storing your holiday decorations to find them next year.
2. Use Reusable or Recycled Materials for Your Holiday Decorations
There are many ways to decorate sustainably by using reusable or recycled materials. One option is to use fabric instead of paper for wrapping gifts. You can also make your Holiday cards out of recycled paper. Another great way to reduce waste is to use LED lights, which use less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs. You can also find eco-friendly holiday decorations made from sustainable materials like bamboo, wool, and jute.
3. Bring the Outdoors In with Live Greenery
One of the best ways to decorate sustainably is to bring the outdoors in. Live greenery looks festive, but it also purifies the air and adds a touch of nature to your home. You can find live potted trees or wreaths made from sustainable materials like bamboo or recycled paper. Potted trees and wreaths can be reused year after year, making them a sustainable and eco-friendly option for holiday decorating. If you’re not ready to commit to a live tree, consider using an artificial tree made from recycled materials.
4. Consider an Eco-Friendly Christmas Tree
If you choose to have a live tree, you can make it more sustainable by choosing an eco-friendly Christmas tree. Look for a tree certified by the Forest Stewardship Council or grown in an environmentally responsible way. You can also find artificial trees made from recycled materials like plastic bottles or recycled aluminum.
Thinking about going tree-free this holiday season? There are many sustainable and eco-friendly alternatives to a traditional Christmas tree. You can use a ladder or stack of books adorned with garland and lights or get creative with recycled materials like old tires or wooden pallets.
5. Give Sustainable Gifts
Another great way to make your holidays more sustainable is to give eco-friendly gifts. You can give gifts made from sustainable materials, fair trade, or support local businesses. Instead of things, you can also give experiences, which don’t create any waste. Some great gift ideas include fair trade coffee or chocolate, sustainable fashion items, or recycled glassware. You can also give a gift that supports a local business, like a gift certificate to a restaurant or boutique.
6. Make Your Own Holiday Decorations
One of the best ways to decorate sustainably is to make your holiday decorations. This can be a fun activity to do with family or friends. If you’re not crafty, there are many tutorials online on making eco-friendly holiday decorations. Some great DIY decoration ideas include using mason jars for luminaries, filling clear glass balls with pinecones and berries, or making a wall hanging out of recycled fabric.
7. Shop at Local Markets and Second-Hand Stores
Another great way to make your holiday décor more sustainable is to shop at local markets or second-hand stores. This supports local businesses and helps reduce your carbon footprint. You can often find unique, one-of-a-kind items that you wouldn’t find at a big box store. When shopping for holiday decorations, look for items made from sustainable materials like bamboo, wool, or jute. You can also find many eco-friendly holiday decorations made from recycled materials.
8. Use Your Holiday Decorations Year After Year
One of the best ways to make your holiday décor more sustainable is to use it year after year. This reduces waste and helps save money in the long run. If you take good care of your holiday decorations, they can last for many years. Caring for your holiday decorations properly will help them last longer. Store them in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight. Wrap fragile items carefully, so they don’t break in storage. And make sure to label everything so you can easily find it next year.
Making your holiday décor more sustainable is a great way to reduce your environmental impact. There are many easy and affordable ways to do it, from shopping second-hand to making your decorations. So get creative and have fun.
