It's the most festive time of the year, and you're ready to celebrate! Unfortunately, many traditional holiday practices are filled with potential waste: excess packaging, single-use decorations, and even food waste. If you're on a sustainability journey whether you've been at it for a while or getting started, you may need some ways to reduce that waste and ensure that the holidays don't mean piles of waste all without sacrificing the magic of the season. Check out these practical tips that you can use to increase sustainability this year.
1. Decorate Sustainably
There are plenty of incredible eco-friendly decorations available. Consider wooden, glass, or cloth ornaments, which are more likely to withstand the ravages of time and remain on your tree for years to come. Consider looking into DIY decorations: choose natural materials like pinecones, oranges, and cinnamon sticks to create beautiful (and great smelling!) holiday decor without breaking the bank. As you expand your holiday decorations, consider options you can store for next year. Avoid single-use plastics and other items you know won't make it back out of the attic next year (or, worse, end up in the trash at the end of the season).
2. Plan a Zero Waste Feast
For many families, the holiday season is all about incredible food that you don't get to enjoy the rest of the year. Fortunately, there are several strategies you can use to decrease food waste, even when there's an overabundance on the table.
Shop Smart
Eco-friendly holiday meals start with your shopping list. First, plan to shop local whenever you can, and use seasonal ingredients as the base for your holiday meals. Next, plan to buy only what you need. Avoid overstocking on items just because they're on sale, especially if you don't have a plan for using them later. This is also a great time to scrap that traditional dish that no one in the family eats.
Reduce Food Waste
Planning can help you reduce food waste and make the most of your favourite holiday dishes.
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Meal plan: Plan not only the holiday meal, but also what you'll do with the leftovers! Having a clear plan in place can make it easier to ensure that everything gets used.
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Freeze the leftovers: If you know you won't be able to finish them before they go bad, freeze them! You can even freeze items as individual servings, making them easy to pop out of the freezer for simple meals in January and beyond. Holiday treats and baked goods can also be frozen for future use.
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Compost: For scraps and items that are no longer edible, try composting! The scraps can nourish your garden next year.
These simple strategies can go a long way toward ensuring that you use all the holiday food you've prepared.
Use Sustainable Tableware
One of the simplest swaps can make some of the most significant differences over the holiday season: using reusable plates, cutlery, and napkins instead of disposable products for your holiday meals. You can always do the dishes together after your meal!
3. Try Out Eco-Friendly Holiday Cards
Holiday cards can create a lot of paper waste. Digital cards, whether via apps or e-cards, can help save a significant amount of paper over the holiday season. You can also use recycled paper cards or cards made from plantable seed paper to stick with this popular tradition without creating a lot of paper waste. If you're avoiding the usual holiday cards and the excessive waste that will go along with them, consider short, handwritten notes to the people who mean the most to you this holiday season.
4. Engage in Mindful Holiday Activities
Materialism often runs rampant over the holidays. Everyone has an extensive gift list, not to mention the need to pick up the latest goodies from every store running a sale or special. Try prioritizing experience over materialism. Try volunteering together as a family, going for nature outings, or enjoying family game nights.
Remember, it doesn't have to be all about excess, either. Look for options that provide meaningful rituals for you and your family, rather than excessive consumption. Going for a ride together to enjoy holiday lights can open opportunities for connection and communication, while volunteering together is a great way to give back to your local community and feel a more profound sense of connection.
The Beauty of Community Sharing
As you increase your focus on mindfulness, look for ways to connect with members of the local community and share what you have with one another. Swapping gifts, clothing, and decorations with neighbours and friends can keep things fresh and new without increasing your costs, not to mention giving unwanted items new life.
5. Explore These Waste-Free Wrapping and Packaging Tips
Gift packaging can generate significant unnecessary waste. Fortunately, there are several ways you can try waste-free packaging.
Gift Wrapping Alternatives
Instead of using wrapping paper, a one-time-use item that can lead to considerable waste in many households, try some of these alternatives.
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Reusable fabric wraps (furoshiki)
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Fabric scarves or tea towels as wraps
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Recycled paper
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Baskets
These simple changes can make a big difference in the amount of waste your packaging generates.
Natural Adornments
Instead of using expensive one-time-use bows, try using natural items! Twine, sprigs of evergreen, or dried fruit can all make great gift adornments, making your packages stand out without increasing waste.
6. Rethink Your Gift-Giving
The way you give gifts can have a substantial impact on holiday waste. Fortunately, there are several ways you can give gifts that will not increase waste or end up in a landfill before you know it.
Sustainable Gifts
Focus on sustainability when you choose gifts for those closest to you! Try:
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Handmade gifts, especially if you have a hobby or craft that you're good at
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Experiences, from bigger gifts like theme park tickets to smaller gifts like a trip out for ice cream
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Digital gifts, including games, funds to popular gaming sites, or access to websites or programs the recipient uses regularly
These items often involve far less waste than store-bought gifts and often last far longer.
Second Hand Gifts
In many cases, second hand gifts can be more valuable than new items. Upcycled presents and thrifted items can be surprisingly well-received, and many of those older items are in better shape than the items you can buy new. Vintage treasures can also often bring unexpected smiles.
Shop GreenBirdi
If you're looking for sustainable, eco-friendly gift items, check out GreenBirdi. Our products have been GreenBirdi approved and are eco-friendly, so you can feel confident that you have chosen gifts that will wow your friends and family, and are better for the environment. Check out our holiday bundles to find the perfect gift for everyone on your list, whether you're looking for delicious treats, bath and body items, or a little something for your furry friends, or shop by category to find items ranging from bath and body to stickers, blankets, and more.
Reduce Your Waste This Holiday Season
As the holiday season approaches, there are plenty of strategies you can use to reduce waste while keeping the magic alive. From choosing your gifts with care to packaging them with sustainable practices rather than disposable gift wrap, there are many little ways you can make a difference. If this is your first year planning an eco-friendly holiday, pick a couple of strategies from our list and expand them as the years go by. Some of them might even become your new favourite traditions!
