7 Amazing Sustainable Christmas Tree Ideas For Your Eco-Friendly Christmas Season

Wondering what is the top recommendation for sustainable Christmas trees this year? This post covers all the best alternative Christmas tree options that are kinder to the planet (and sometimes your budget!). 

Maybe you’re not a fan of the needles falling all over the floor. Or your baby is on the move and you don’t want them to accidentally eat tree or ornament droppings. Or maybe you’re a college student and want to make your dorm look festive but don’t have the extra cash (or space!) to splurge on a tree. 

There is pretty much an alternative Christmas tree option for every situation and budget! By the end of this post, you will feel fully prepared to find the right tree for your unique situation and the best part is that all of these trees keep the planet in mind too! 

This post is all about the best sustainable Christmas tree ideas.

The Best Sustainable Christmas Tree Alternatives

Rent a Christmas Tree

Did you know that there are businesses where you can rent a Christmas tree from?! What they do is grow the Christmas trees and then deliver them to your home or office. Once the holidays are over they come and pick up the tree and return it to their farm.

Instead of your yearly Christmas tree getting dumped into a landfill it can make its way back to its natural habitat to be replanted! 

There are also services where you can rent an artificial Christmas tree for the holidays! This is a great option too because reused items put less demand on companies to keep making plastic trees that will only be used once per year. 

Wooden Christmas Tree

If your home decor is more minimalistic, a wooden Christmas tree could work really well in your space! 

Opting for a wooden tree is also a great way to support local artisans in your community or online. Some makers create wooden Christmas trees from local scrap wood too. 

Some things to consider if you have little kids would be the sharp edges on the tree but other than that you don’t have to worry about cleaning up pine needles all season long! 

{RECCOMENDED POST: Our Favorite 8 Zero Waste Gift Wrapping Ideas For Every Occasion}

Potted Plant as a Christmas Tree

Instead of a 5-foot tree maybe opt for a Charlie Brown tree in a pot or even your favorite houseplant! Just make sure that the branches are strong enough for decor to hang on them. 

Sprucing it up with a festive blanket underneath and some lights can pull it all together nicely.

Here are some great houseplants to choose from:  

• Norfolk Island Pine 
• Rosemary  
• Italian Stone Pine

Books or Other Objects

This one will take a bit of creativity but there are so many adorable alternative Christmas tree ideas floating around on Pinterest and TikTok.

If you are a book lover you could make a tree out of books! If you are a painter you could make a pyramid like shape out of paint cans. This idea may seem kind of ‘out there’ but if you are a crafty person there is definitely a way to make this look really nice! 

Find a Tree at The Thrift Store

Believe it or not, sometimes thrift stores do have Christmas trees! Either people are moving and don’t feel like packing up a heavy fake tree or stores have too many Christmas trees at the end of the season that didn’t sell.

This tip definitely takes some luck but I have seen them! Even if you don’t score a tree, there are definitely plenty of gently used Christmas decorations at the thrift store to choose from! 

{RECOMMENDED POST: 14 Affordable Eco-Friendly Stocking Stuffer Ideas You Will Feel Good About Gifting}

Find Local Greenery and Clippings to Make a Christmas Tree. Think Driftwood, Branches etc.

If you are a crafty person this is a great option for you! Your best bet for inspiration is of course Pinterest.

I have seen so many adorable alternative Christmas trees made from branches and driftwood. If you can find these materials just outside in your backyard that is even better! No need to go out and buy materials when the earth provides them (: 

Buy a Local Christmas Tree Rather Than a Typical Christmas Tree

I would have never thought of this before living in Hawaii but because Christmas trees do not grow here (and it’s expensive and bad for the planet to ship them here!) Norfolk Island Pine trees are often used as Christmas trees. They are definitely not the typical Christmas tree look but that makes it kind of fun! As long as you deck it out with ornaments and other surrounding decorations it works out! 

Have you ever had an alternative Christmas Tree for the holidays? If I missed any good ideas please let us know in the comments below and it can help others as they try to find a sustainable Christmas tree option too! 

Be sure to sign up for the newsletter if you would like sustainability and wellness tips sent directly to your inbox! 

Stay well, 

Maggie 

This post was all about the best sustainable Christmas tree options. 

Other posts you may like: 

• 5 Unique Sustainable Holiday Cards For Your Zero Waste Holidays
• Your Go-to Guide For The Best Low Waste Holiday Gifts (Inspired By The 5 Love Languages!)
• 13 Practical Eco Friendly Teacher Gifts They Will Adore

If you would like to save this post for later-pin it!