Sustainable Holiday Swaps for an Eco-Conscious Season of Giving
Growing up I felt the Christmas magic so hard every year. I found the twinkling lights, spirit of giving, togetherness with family, and the beauty of our (mostly) snowy city enchanting. Santa somehow always knew what I wanted, and the reindeer cleared their plate of carrots year after year. I now look forward to recreating that magic for my family, and I’m doing it my own way. All the stuff that comes with the holidays? It’s enticing but really not so magical for the planet. From piles of wrapping paper to disposable decorations, the season of giving can leave behind a pretty hefty carbon footprint. Thankfully, with a few small tweaks, you can make this holiday season just as festive and way more sustainable. Let’s dive into ten easy ways to spread joy without creating unnecessary waste. Here are ten sustainable holiday swaps.
1. Rethink Wrapping Paper
Okay so wrapping paper is actually my kryptonite. I love it SO much so I really struggle with this. But the issue with wrapping paper is that it’s all going straight to the trash. UGH. Most wrapping paper (especially the glittery, foil kind) isn’t recyclable. However, I have found a brand new, unopened pack of vintage wrapping paper at the thrift store before and used it for years in order to cut back on landfilling. If that’s not your jam, consider these eco-friendly alternatives that look just as beautiful.
- Use What You Have: Leftover fabric, brown kraft paper, or even your kids’ artwork can make for charming, unique wrapping.
- Try Furoshiki: This Japanese technique uses cloth (scarves, bandanas, or tea towels) to wrap gifts. It’s reusable and stunningly chic.
- Get Creative: What do you have around your home? Repurpose old maps, newspaper, or pages from magazines for a fun, artsy vibe. What else can you come up with?
2. Deck the Halls (Sustainably)
Holiday décor is a huge part of creating that cozy, festive vibe. In fact, Christmas is the only holiday I really go all out for. I just love coming home in December to a beautifully decorated tree, little Christmas trinkets around the home, and stockings hung. If you’re anything like me, you’ll want to decorate too! But before you run out to buy the latest trends, consider how you can decorate in ways that are kinder to the planet.
- Go (Seasonally) Natural: Pinecones, dried orange slices, and evergreen branches make gorgeous, biodegradable decorations. Bonus—they smell amazing!
- Choose Quality Over Quantity: Invest in timeless, durable pieces that you can reuse year after year instead of trendy, flimsy items.
- DIY Your Décor: Turn old ornaments into garlands, make paper chains out your kids’ artwork, create popcorn garland, make your own ornaments using salt dough, create clay Christmas sculptures, grab some free Christmas tree trimmings from a tree farm and make your own wreath. I love following @heyjenbrannen on Instagram for all the holiday craft ideas you could ever dream of. Better for the planet AND making fun family memories? Sign me upppp.
3. Simplify Gift-Giving
We all love seeing our friends and family light up when they unwrap the perfect present, but the pressure to buy all the things can lead to waste. This year, consider sustainable holiday swaps focusing on meaningful, sustainable gifts. Even if that means less.
- Gift Experiences: Tickets to a concert, a cooking class, or even a membership to a local museum can create lasting memories without clutter.
- Go Secondhand: Thrifted treasures can be just as thoughtful as something brand-new—and they come with a smaller environmental footprint.
- Support Small Businesses: Opt for locally-made, sustainably-produced items to support your community and the planet.
If you like these options and want even more eco-friendly gift inspo, check out my Wrangle 2024 Gift Guide!
4. Rethink Holiday Cards
It’s fun to find more than bills and spam mail in your mailbox! Especially when they are holiday cards filled with photos of everyone you love. However, recycled paper still isn’t the greeting card standard (why not?!), so with billions of cards sent every year the environmental impact adds up.
- Opt for Recycled Paper: If sending cards is a must, choose ones made from recycled materials or printed on plantable paper.
- Go Digital: E-cards are a great way to spread cheer with zero waste (BONUS- they’re perfect for procrastinators. Not that I know what that’s like… at all…).
- Combine Efforts: If you’re already giving a gift, attach a small handwritten tag or note instead of sending a separate card. EASY.
5. Get Smart with Food
As a busy mom to two tinys I will never throw food away unless it’s actually inedible (gotta get creative and feed the children!) but some homes aren’t like that! If you find that your family usually throws out a lot of food, read below to learn how to curb food waste this holiday season with these three simple tips.
- Plan Ahead: Create a detailed shopping list to avoid overbuying, and portion recipes based on how many people you’re serving.
- Love Your Leftovers: Get creative with leftovers by turning them into soups, sandwiches, or even breakfast dishes.
- Compost the Scraps: Keep a compost bin handy for veggie peelings and food scraps to give back to the earth.
6. Light Up ~Responsibly~
Twinkling lights are non-negotiable in this family. My toddler lives for night walks to check out holiday decorations in our neighborhood. We should enjoy this part of the holidays and also be mindful as to not drain our planet’s resources.
- Switch to LED: LED holiday lights use up to 80% less energy than traditional ones.
- Use Timers: Set your lights to turn on and off automatically so you’re not wasting electricity when everyone’s asleep.
- Go Solar: If you decorate outdoors, consider solar-powered lights for a greener glow.
7. Travel Thoughtfully
Whether you’re driving to Grandma’s house or flying across the country, holiday travel can take a toll on the environment. While you can’t always avoid it, there are ways to minimize your impact.
- Carpool: If you’re heading to the same place as family or friends, travel together to cut down on emissions.
- Offset Carbon Emissions: Many airlines now offer the option to offset your carbon footprint when you book your flight.
- Pack Light: Less weight means less fuel consumption—plus, it makes your life easier!
8. Gift Sustainable Habits
One of the best ways to spread sustainable holiday swaps vibes is to introduce your loved ones to sustainable habits! Try incorporating one of these this season and see how it goes. They just might love it!
- Reusable Options: Reusable coffee cups, water bottles, or shopping bags make practical and thoughtful gifts.
- Eco-Friendly Kits: Put together a zero-waste starter kit with essentials like beeswax wraps, silicone food storage bags, or bamboo utensils.
- Share Your Knowledge: Give a great book about sustainability or sign someone up for a subscription to an eco-conscious magazine.
9. Give Back
The holidays really are the perfect time to focus on giving—not just to loved ones, but to your community and the planet.
- Donate to Charity: Instead of giving physical gifts, consider making a donation in someone’s name to an environmental or social cause they care about.
- Volunteer: Spend a few hours helping out at a local food bank, shelter, or clean-up event.
- Regift Thoughtfully: If you’ve received something you can’t use, pass it along to someone who can—just be sure it’s in great condition!
10. Be Mindful of Shipping
If you’re shopping online, take a moment to think about the impact of all those deliveries. This is tough as a busy mom, so don’t be too hard on yourself about this. Being mindful is already a great step forward.
- Consolidate Orders: Try to order everything from one retailer at once to reduce packaging and transportation.
- Choose Slower Shipping: Expedited shipping often means more emissions, so if you can plan ahead, opt for slower delivery.
- Reuse Packaging: Save boxes and packing materials to use for future needs instead of tossing them out.
Final Thoughts
The holidays don’t have to be perfect to be magical. By making a few simple sustainable holiday swaps, you can enjoy all the joy and magic of the season while staying kind to the planet. And who knows? You might even inspire others to follow suit. So this year, let’s focus on what really matters: spending time with loved ones, creating beautiful memories, and showing a little extra love to our home—Earth. Here’s to a holiday season that’s merry, bright, and beautifully green! 🌍✨
