If you are working towards living a sustainable lifestyle you might be stumped at how to have a sustainable Christmas. It is already difficult enough to find the perfect gifts, get travel plans in order, and find recipes that everyone will adore. Adding an element of making it eco-friendly too could seem even more overwhelming.
That’s why we put together this quick list of sustainable Christmas ideas that are simple and practical. Even just choosing a few ideas from this list to add to your normal Christmas routine can go a long way to help the environment!
By the end of this post, you will feel fully prepared to have a calm and festive holiday season that leaves a minimal impact on the planet!
This post is all about the best sustainable Christmas ideas.
The Best Sustainable Christmas Ideas
1. Choose a Sustainable Christmas Tree
When you think about it, Christmas trees are made out of a ton of plastic. When the fake little leaves fall off and get thrown in the trash they eventually turn into microplastics that pollute waterways and natural spaces.
Instead, we can opt for a sustainable Christmas tree like these ideas below:
- Renting a Christmas tree
- Potted plant as a Christmas tree
- DIY Christmas tree
- And more!
If you would like to read our full post about sustainable Christmas trees you can click here.
2. Sustainable Holiday Cards
Holiday cards can be pretty wasteful but they are a really fun part of the holidays! Instead, you can opt for less wasteful holiday cards like the ones found in this post.
Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Ecards through email
- Biodegradable cards
- DIY cards from repurposed materials
- 100% recycled paper cards
3. Zero Waste Gift Wrapping
Instead of wrapping our gifts in plastic paper that can be really difficult to recycle, we can opt for more sustainable Christmas paper wrapping like these below:
- Furoshiki Japanese wrapping method
- Reuse gift wrapping
- No wrapping paper
- Newspaper (specifically the comic section!)
{RECCOMENDED POST: Our Favorite 8 Zero Waste Gift Wrapping Ideas For Every Occasion}
4. Eco Friendly Stocking Stuffer
Sometimes stockings can be filled with somewhat random items or gag gifts. By finding small gifts our loved ones will truly love we can stay festive while also not harming the environment.
Here are a few ideas to get you started but the full detailed post can be found here:
- Sustainably made chocolate
- Gift card to local restaurant or business
- Loose leaf tea
- Pack of seeds
- For kids: thrifted toys!
5. Low Waste Holiday Gifts
Finding the perfect Christmas gift can be challenging enough but then when you add making sure it is an eco friendly Christmas gift it makes things even more challenging.
Even if all of the gifts you buy are not ethically made, organic and zero waste you can still be mindful about gifting!
Make sure the gift is something your loved one will really love and cherish for a long time. Sometimes in the frenzy of the holiday season, we can start buying stuff without considering the longevity of the item. Even if a product isn’t eco friendly, as long as it gets used and stays out of the landfill then that is great!
We have a post that can help you figure out the best gifts for your loved ones based on their love languages if you would like to check it out here.
6. Vegan Options For Chirstmas Dinner Or as Gifts
Even if you don’t want your entire Christmas meal to be vegan, consider adding in a few plant-based options as sides!
There are also tons of vegan dessert ideas if you are making sweets as gifts.
Eating vegan doesn’t have to be your whole lifestyle but adding in a few more vegan options can make a big impact on your health and the health of the environment.
If you would like to read more about the power of going vegan you can check out this article here by the Physicians Committee.
7. Be Mindful of Transportation Emissions
Depending on where your loved ones live, travel can be a big part of your holiday plans. In no way are we suggesting missing out on spending time with your loved ones but here are a few ways you can cut down on transportation emissions this holiday season:
- Carpool with other family members or friends that are going to the same home or nearby town
- Use public transit if possible. A train ride could be a really fun memory for your family!
- Walk, bike, or skip to your holiday party if it is close enough!
How are you planning to make your Christmas season a bit more sustainable this year? If I missed any good ideas please let us know in the comments below and it can help others as they try to ake their sustainable christmas plans!
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Stay well,
Maggie
This post was all about the best sustainable Christmas tips.
Other posts you may like:
- 6 Easy Tips To Go Vegan On A Budget | Sustainable Frugal Living Hacks
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- Top 5 Zero Waste Online Stores So You Can Make Eco Friendly Choices From The Comfort Of Your Home!
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