During the holidays, our top priorities probably look like hosting family, buying gifts, visiting loved ones, or putting up decorations. In such a fun-filled and celebratory time, sustainability is probably the last thing on our minds, but the truth is that the holiday season is peak time for overconsumption and excess waste. However, the good news is that it’s simple, (and fun), to reduce your environmental impact while having a festive holiday!
One of the top environmental issues during the holiday months is food waste. Many gatherings are centered around food, oftentimes with each person or family bringing a different dish to the table. To minimize food waste, use a sign-up sheet or similar strategy to ensure that everyone only makes as much food as needed, and that nobody brings duplicate dishes. When you’re cooking, don’t overlook scraps such as vegetable peels or turkey bones; they can be used to make a delicious homemade stock! Additionally, no matter whether you’re hosting or attending, come prepared with reusable food containers. Use leftovers for next week’s dinners, or freeze them to be eaten at a later date.
Another way to keep your holidays sustainable is to focus on your decorations. Instead of buying new decorations, which are often made with flimsy materials such as foil and single-use plastic, you can make your own decor! Table centerpieces can be constructed from natural materials such as pine cones, berries, and flowers. Materials you already have, like bows, old ornaments, mason jars, and candles, provide a great holiday flair to those displays as well. You can try making your own wreath with foraged branches, or oven-dry orange slices to string into a natural (and amazingly scented) garland! And when it comes time for Christmas lights, make sure you buy LED bulbs. They’re 75% more efficient than standard lights, plus they last 25 times as long!
Lastly, we can’t possibly forget to mention gifts! Giving and receiving gifts is often a highlight of holiday get-togethers, but unfortunately, it’s also a primary source of excess waste. A super easy way to decrease waste is to wrap gifts in recycled or repurposed materials, such as newspapers, old paper bags, or reusable boxes. (If you do need to buy wrapping paper, though, make sure it’s recyclable.) Further, it’s important to remember that we easily get caught up in buying or asking for more than we need, especially when it comes to gifting. Do you really need the latest must-have gadget, or has it just been blowing up on TikTok lately? Instead, consider buying from a local vendor, or creating homemade gifts such as yarn crafts, body scrub, or a batch of cookies. One of my personal favorite sustainable gift-giving strategies is gifting experiences rather than objects. The options are endless – you can give concert tickets, spa vouchers, theme park passes, pottery classes, or anything you want!
By making a few simple changes, we can have a festive and fun holiday season while also being kind to the planet. From reducing food waste to repurposing decorations and being mindful about gifting, there are countless ways to make our holidays more sustainable. So, let’s embrace the spirit of the season and have a wonderful, eco-friendly holiday!