24 Wonderful Tips to Have a Sustainable Christmas in 2023

How to Have a Sustainable Christmas

Did you know that in places like the UK, the amount of waste goes up 30% during the Christmas season? Thousands of tons of plastic are thrown away all around the world during the holidays. Not to mention that we’ve all been in that uncomfortable situation when we get a Christmas gift we don’t want. Well, these gifts end up being thrown away too.

When you see the numbers, it makes you wonder if the Grinch had a valid reason for stealing Christmas, but the good news is that it doesn’t have to be this way. Going green and having a more sustainable Christmas is not so complicated. Each of us can contribute to a greener Christmas and still have a joyful holiday.

Here are 24 ways to have a sustainable Christmas that may inspire you to celebrate in an Eco-friendly way. Since the way to someone’s heart is through their tummies, let’s start with the food.

4 Tips to Have a Sustainable Christmas Dinner

1. Be more mindful of what you eat and drink. Go for food that farmers cultivate with greater environmental awareness.
2. Avoid making too much food by planning ahead. In 2023, we used up a year’s worth of resources in just 7 months. Much of this was due to food waste. If you’ve found that you have thrown away food in the past, then plan your Christmas dinner. Reduce the number of courses or items in each course.
3. Have your guests each bring a dish for dinner. This can even replace Christmas gifts. This way, everyone can eat what they like, and you won’t get unnecessary gifts.
4. Choose Eco-friendly utensils and table decorations. Use less energy and save effort by recycling them.

Now that you are no longer hungry, let’s create the right atmosphere.

How to Make Sustainable Christmas Decorations – 7 Ideas

5. Buy plastic free decorations
6. Search for decorations made from reused or natural materials such as organic cotton, raffia, old fabrics, or recycled textiles. Also, look for decorations made from FSC-certified wood.
7. Support Eco-friendly brands that specialize in decorations.
8. DIY – do it yourself is the key to sustainable decorations. The next three are some ideas for DIY.

9. Upcycle items from your kitchen. Re-using things is a wonderful way to be more sustainable. Use old clothes and fabrics to sew decorations or create ribbons. You can also use natural items such as pinecones and evergreen branches.
10. Create tree decorations using recycled paper. Origami serves as a versatile base for various decorations. With transparent paper, you can even light them up. Models such as the flower ball or a 3D star are a great fit too. You can even flatten some models and store them to use next year.
11. Decorate the tree with apples and nuts, like in old times. You get to celebrate a piece of Christmas history this way. You can even Take it a step further and decorate the house with evergreen fir leaves and holly.

You have all the decorations ready, now it’s time for the tree.

How Sustainable Are Christmas Trees?

The Christmas tree is not only a lovely tradition, but a large industry. There are 25-30 million real Christmas trees sold in the US each year. Even with this large turnover, the natural trees are more sustainable than artificial ones.

In the US, there are 350 million Christmas trees growing in farms. They help preserve green spaces and create jobs. For each tree harvested, farmers plant 3 new seedlings. The National Christmas Tree Association reports that there are 4000 recycling programs in the US.

12. Buying a real tree grown locally is a great way to go green. You help local farmers, and you save on long-distance delivery costs.

But there are other ways to ensure your Christmas tree is a sustainable one.

Sustainable Christmas Trees – Reuse or Recycle

13. You can rent a living tree and then replant it after use. In some cases, you can adopt and rent the same tree every year as it grows.
14.  Bring your tree to a recycling collection point after use. This way you ensure it is reused. There are a variety of possibilities for recycling Christmas trees. They range from plant chemicals’ extraction to textiles.

Now all you have to do is wrap up your presents, or do you?

6 Tips to Make Christmas Wrapping More Sustainable

15. Use a wrap that is part of a gift. This could be cookies in a jar, a jewel box, a clutch bag or purse, or a basket.
16. Avoid the scotch tape. You can fold the paper, so it holds itself, or hold it with twine. (Tip: Using Hallmark sustainable Christmas wrappers can help you cut paper waste. It also simplifies folding along the lines on the back).
17. Make the card a gift itself, and not an addition to one. For example, a coupon for a favourite store, or cards that gift an experience or facilitate a donation.
18. Use gift bags instead of wrapping paper. When people open the present, they tear the paper. But gift bags can be reused. Gift bags can also be made from many kinds of recycled materials, even seaweed!
19. Avoid the paper, just tie a ribbon. It’s symbolic and decorative. The ribbon can also be made from recyclable materials.
20. Decide with your family and friends that this year it’s no wrapping all around. After all, people throw the wrapping away just to see what’s inside. 

Now, you just need to decide what you will put inside the gifts you give this year. (That is if you cannot agree to a “no gifts truce” with loved ones and just have an all-out feast.)

Lastly, 4 Ideas for Sustainable Christmas Gifts

22. Give your loved ones the gift of creating new experiences:
    • You can give your friends a coupon or gift card for their favourite brand. 
    • You can also give them a subscription to a magazine they love. 
    • Another option is to get them an annual ticket to a museum or zoo. 
    • They may also enjoy a ticket to the theatre or a special experience like paragliding for two.

23. Gift your time and help. You can help your sister by babysitting her children. You can also assist with cleaning and small tasks. If you are good at something, then consider teaching your friend a new skill. 
24. Buy a gift at second hand stores or charity shops. This way you know the gift is recycled, the price is lower, and your money will go to a good cause.
25. Consumables are a great sustainable gift. Homemade is the best – it’s more sustainable and more personal.

These 24 ways to have a sustainable Christmas will help you create a greener holiday. Next year, we will have 24 more for you. Until then, stay inspired!