Greener Holiday Décor Ideas: 7 Eco-Friendly Tips For A Sustainable Festive Season 

The holidays are a time for celebration, togetherness, and creating lasting memories. But as we deck the halls with twinkling lights, sparkling ornaments, and festive cheer, it’s important to remember that our celebrations can have an environmental impact. From waste to energy consumption, traditional holiday decor often contributes to the planet’s ecological strain. Fortunately, there are plenty of eco-friendly ways to make your home feel festive and bright while reducing your environmental footprint.

Here are some greener holiday decor ideas that are both beautiful and sustainable:

1. Embrace Natural Decorations

Instead of relying on plastic or synthetic decorations, bring nature indoors with natural elements. Think pinecones, holly branches, fresh evergreen boughs, and dried oranges. These items not only add a seasonal charm but also biodegrade after the holidays, unlike many plastic decorations that take centuries to break down. Best practice is to compost at home, when possible.

• Pinecones and Sprigs: Collect pinecones, acorns, and branches during a nature walk to create rustic centerpieces or garlands.
• Citrus Ornaments: Slice oranges, lemons, or grapefruits into rounds and dry them in the oven. These make beautiful, natural ornaments and garlands that also smell wonderful.
• Dried Flowers: Use dried lavender, eucalyptus, or other seasonal flowers to make wreaths or decorate mantelpieces.
• Beautiful boughs and branches: If you have greenery in your backyard, simply snip a couple of small branches and pop them in a vase or mason jar. Instant fresh smelling decor.

2. Choose Energy-Efficient Lighting

Holiday lights are a staple of festive decor, but they can be energy hogs if not used wisely. Opt for LED lights, which use up to 80% less energy and last significantly longer than traditional incandescent bulbs. Additionally, consider solar-powered outdoor lights for exterior decorations, which harness the sun’s energy during the day and light up your yard at night without increasing your electricity bill.

• Timers and Smart Plugs: Use timers or smart plugs to automatically turn off lights when not needed, reducing energy waste.
• Battery-Operated LED Lights: These can be a great option for areas where you don’t have easy access to electrical outlets, and they’re often more energy-efficient than traditional bulbs.

3. Repurpose and Reuse Decor

Instead of buying new decorations every year, consider repurposing items you already own or buying second-hand. Thrift stores often carry a wealth of vintage ornaments, fabric, and holiday decor that can be reimagined with a little creativity.

• Vintage Finds: Browse your local thrift store or online marketplaces for unique holiday items that have a story to tell.
• Upcycled Materials: Repurpose old holiday cards to make new garlands or cut up fabric scraps to create new ornaments. Not only will you save money, but you’ll also reduce the demand for new resources.

4. Sustainable Christmas Trees

The Christmas tree is often the centerpiece of holiday decorating, but its environmental impact depends on your choice of tree and how you dispose of it.

• Real Trees: A real tree is biodegradable, and many municipalities offer tree recycling programs, turning them into mulch or compost. If you go this route, choose a sustainably grown tree from a local farm.
• Potted Trees: If you prefer a tree that you can reuse year after year, consider a potted evergreen. After the holidays, you can plant it in your garden or keep it as a houseplant. Available at Murphy’s Tree Farm in Maple Ridge.
• Artificial Trees: If you already own an artificial tree, it’s more eco-friendly to keep using it for many years rather than constantly replacing it. Try to invest in a quality one from the get go, so it will last for many Christmases to come.

5. Homemade Ornaments and Crafts

Nothing beats the charm and personal touch of handmade decorations. Whether you make them with your family or purchase from local artisans, handmade ornaments often have a much smaller carbon footprint than mass-produced ones.

• Salt Dough Ornaments: These are easy to make with flour, salt, and water, and can be shaped into a variety of festive designs. Paint or decorate them with natural dyes. Find a recipe here.
• Cinnamon Stick Bundles: Bind a few cinnamon sticks together with twine to create fragrant ornaments or napkin rings. They’ll fill your home with a warm, spicy aroma.
• Baked Goods Decorations: Gingerbread men, cookies, or shortbread shapes can double as ornaments that smell delicious and are edible!

6. Create a Green Holiday Atmosphere with Scents

Instead of relying on synthetic candles and air fresheners, consider using natural alternatives that add ambiance without harming the environment.

• Essential Oils: Use essential oils in a diffuser or make your own natural potpourri with dried flowers, herbs, and citrus peels. Sage has some beautiful diffusers. Here is one of our faves.
• Soy or Beeswax Candles: Choose candles made from renewable, biodegradable materials like soy wax or beeswax, which burn cleanly and are free of harmful chemicals found in conventional paraffin candles.
• Simmer Pots: It’s as simple as putting a pot on the stove and adding beautiful, fresh ingredients like oranges, cranberries, cinnamon sticks, and cloves. Bring your pot to boil and then simmer on low for as long as you like, being sure to add some water as you go (for inspirations try this recipe here).

7. Opt for Vintage and Heirloom Pieces

There is something so special about the Christmases of the past. There was a simple charm to it all. Having special ornaments and/or decorations that are passed down from generation to generation and are brought out each year is what holiday memories are made of. If you are looking to infuse your own Christmas with some nostalgia, opt for vintage over cheap, new, plastic items. Go to your local thrift shops, church bazaars, and community flea markets. There are treasures there waiting for a new home to help you celebrate the holidays. 

With a little creativity and mindful planning, you can transform your home into a festive, eco-friendly wonderland. By choosing sustainable materials, reusing decorations, and embracing nature, you can celebrate the season while helping protect the planet for future generations. —Jennifer Pistor