Christmas is that time of joy and togetherness and of course for those who love to celebrate, decorating for this season is essential to create the atmosphere that reflects the joy and spirit of Christmas, however, it doesn’t have to come at the expense of our planet. By embracing sustainable choices, you can create a festive season that looks beautiful while also reducing your carbon footprint and having a low-toxicity environment in your home, which benefits your health and the planet.
Here’s how you can make your Christmas beautiful and meaningful with sustainable and eco-friendly choices
From eco-friendly decorations to zero-waste gift wrapping, these simple ideas will help you celebrate in style while reducing waste and keeping your home free of harmful toxins.
DIY Sustainable Christmas Decorations
Dried Orange Slices
A simple, beautiful and aromatic option that adds a festive feel around the home, while being biodegradable and versatile. You can hang them on the Christmas tree or combine them with pine branches or eucalyptus; herbs and spices such as rosemary, cinnamon stick and anise stars to create beautiful décor pieces such as garland or centre piece. The best thing is that these can be reused for Christmas decorations year after year. If stored properly, they can last a few years, so make sure you store them in an airtight container to avoid mold.
How - to:
Slice oranges thinly and pat them dry.
Lay them on a baking tray and bake at 200°F (93°C) for 2-3 hours, flipping halfway, or use a dehydrator if you have one.
Let them cool down and they are ready to use.
Natural Wreaths
Natural wreaths are so much fun to make, they are a healthier option for you and can be composted after the holidays. You can tailor the wreath to your style, using materials that resonate with you, your space or your Christmas theme. They look stunning and add a beautiful Christmas fragrant to your home. Be creative and reuse materials like dried flowers, ribbons, or ornaments from previous years to save money and reduce waste. Use your wreath as a centrepiece, door decoration, or wall accent, you can even do mini wreaths with rosemary branches to hang in your tree, use as napkin holders or as seating place cards.
How - to:
Gather fresh greenery like eucalyptus, pine or any of your preference as well as any other elements you would like to add such as berries, pinecones or dried fruit.
Get a grapevine wreath base or wire wreath (or make your own using flexible branches).
Cut greenery and flowers into manageable stems.
Take small bunches of greenery and flowers if using any and layer them in one direction around the frame, use floral wire to secure the bundle by wrapping the wire tightly around the stems and the frame.
Overlap each bundle slightly with the previous one to cover the wire and create fullness. Continue until the entire frame is covered.
Once the base is complete, add your decorative elements like pinecones, berries or citrus slices, distribute them evenly or cluster them for a focal point, they can be secured with floral wire or hot glue.
Sustainable Gift Wrapping Ideas
Fabric Wrapping (Furoshiki)
Furoshiki is a traditional Japanese wrapping cloth used for a variety of purposes, such as carrying items and wrapping gifts. I love this option because is reusable, functional and aesthetically pleasing and embodies Japanese values of mindfulness, beauty and resourcefulness.
Opt for natural materials like cotton, linen or silk for an eco-friendly option. It can be re gifted or re purposed in many different ways, you can use muslin for a baby gift, cotton or linen for people to use as tea towels or silk to be used as a scarf. I love that it can be reused repeatedly, making it a sustainable alternative to disposable bags or gift wrap.
How - to
Lay the cloth flat on a surface in a diamond shape (a corner pointing towards you).
Place the item in the centre.
Take the corner closest to you and fold it over the item.
Repeat with the corner furthest from you.
Bring the left and right corners to the centre.
Tie the two corners together
You can opt to add more character to your gifts by decorating with twine, herbs like rosemary or thyme, flowers and/or dried orange slices.
Brown Paper with Natural elements
Another recyclable and biodegradable option to wrap your Christmas gifts. Unlike many glossy wrapping papers that contain plastic, kraft paper can be easily recycled and decomposes naturally, so by choosing brown kraft paper, you are not only making an eco-friendly choice but also giving your gifts a charming and personalized touch. I love that it gives an elegant yet natural and clean look that is perfect for both casual and more sophisticated presentations.
Here are a few creative decorating ideas you can do using plain kraft paper.
Twine and Dried Flowers: Add a rustic touch by tying your gift with natural jute twine and decorate them with stems of dried lavender, olive or eucalyptus.
Stamps and Stencils: Personalize the paper with festive stamps or create designs using stencils for a unique touch.
Greenery, Dried Fruit and Pine Cones: wrap the gift with twine and tie a small bunch of greenery, dried fruit, cinnamon sticks, or miniature pine cones for a festive nature-inspired look.
Fabric Ribbons: Use reusable fabric ribbons or strips of cloth instead of plastic ribbons to keep the theme sustainable.
Handwritten Messages and drawings: Write heartfelt messages, holiday wishes and drawings directly on the kraft paper for a unique touch.
Upcycled Magazine or Newspaper Wrapping
Using magazines or newspapers for gift wrapping is a creative and eco-friendly alternative to traditional wrapping paper. It is definitely a cheaper option and it is beneficial for both you and the planet. Plus! It is a great option for last-minute wrapping.
The Joy of a Sustainable Christmas
Creating a sustainable Christmas isn’t just about being eco-friendly; it’s about cherishing the season's spirit with mindful choices. Handmade decorations and thoughtful wrapping turn the holidays into a more meaningful celebration for you and your loved ones.
By incorporating these ideas into your festivities, you'll create a healthier home, save money, and help the environment—all while celebrating in style.
Happy Holidays!