How to Decorate and Host The Holidays Ethically & Sustainably

The holidays are a time to celebrate, be with family and friends, and enjoy the company of those we love.

But they’re also a time when we’re often asked to put our ethical and sustainable values on the back burner in favor of convenience, tradition, and “the way things have always been done.” This year, let’s commit to doing things differently.

There are many ways to make our holiday celebrations more sustainable, from choosing locally sourced and organic foods to decorating with reused or recycled materials.

And when it comes to hosting parties, we can reduce our impact by ensuring that our guests have a safe and enjoyable time.

Here are some tips on how to ethically and sustainably decorate and host the holidays!

Ethical and Sustainable Ideas For the Holidays

There are a lot of ways to be more sustainable this holiday season, and it all starts with being conscious of the impact our choices have on the planet. One of the best ways to do this is to buy locally sourced, eco-friendly, and fair trade products whenever possible.

Food

It’s easy to overlook issues of sustainability when preparing lavish holiday dinners, despite the fact that the feasting portion of winter celebrations is arguably a major component of the festivities. You might assume that in order to find such a wide range of ingredients, you’d have to visit a supermarket, where many products are imported from overseas. Thankfully, there are other, superior choices out there for you to consider.

Here are some tips for preparing tasty Christmas dinners and desserts without contributing to the rise of “industrial food” or increasing transportation emissions.

By purchasing locally, you can help the farmers and growers in your area. (It reduces the food’s carbon footprint while increasing its freshness.)
Support local merchants by shopping for holiday gifts and decorations. In this way, your money stays here and helps the local economy, which is to everyone’s advantage.
Pick organic foods since they weren’t cultivated using synthetic pesticides and fossil fuel-based fertilizers.
Grass-fed meat is better for you, tastier, and requires less grain than grain-fed meat. (A high intake of grains has been linked to a rise in atmospheric carbon dioxide.)
Buy less food. Smarter options include apps like Olio. They connect you with local needs. You list what’s available, take a photo, and publish your location. Compost and recycle scraps.
Try new things using the abundance of in-season foods. Try any of the many types of squash available, some of the earthy mushrooms, or some of the sweeter winter fruits like persimmons.
You don’t like to cook? Make a reservation at a nearby restaurant and give back to the community this season. Many eateries are having trouble staying open because to the epidemic and would appreciate your patronage.

Presents

We’ve all been in the situation where we need to buy a gift at the last minute, but there’s no time to think about whether or not it’s the best option. Instead of mindless consumerism that puts a strain on our natural resources, maxes up our credit cards, and often results in unwanted products ending up in landfills, the holiday gift-giving season should be about celebrating the season with those we care about. When it comes to presenting gifts, it is the thought that counts. Here are some ideas for celebrating the event without adding to our environmental footprint.

Consider giving the gift of used or pre-loved items such as books, clothes, and even toys.
Make your own presents. Gifts made by hand, whether with artistic skill, culinary expertise, or both, are always appreciated more than those purchased from a store.
Donate to the charities that were important to your loved ones or friends.
When gifting, keep an eye out for trusted environmental marks like Fairtrade, Rainforest Alliance, Scientific Certification Systems (SCS), Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), Energy Star, and Palm Oil Free.
For the sake of the planet and the economy of your community, do your holiday shopping at flea markets, farmer’s markets, and other independently owned establishments.
Consider giving presents that are locally manufactured, created using recyclable materials, or part of a fair trade initiative.
To save on petrol, try to make most of your purchases within walking distance. Shop for all of your presents in one day to save time and gas money by taking public transportation or carpooling with a friend.

Christmas Tree

Some people here really hate plastic trees. And then there are those who argue that it’s not necessarily environmentally sound to cut down genuine trees. (Both camps are arguing passionately.) Read on for advice on picking out the perfect Christmas tree and properly discarding it after the holidays are over.

The prolonged inertia of plastic gives artificial trees a negative reputation. However, feel free to utilize your artificial tree year after year without any remorse.
If you’re in need of a tree but don’t want to contribute to the cut down of actual trees, you can find a used plastic tree (with decorations) at a secondhand shop or flea market. Used goods are a fantastic way to both recycle and save money.
If authenticity is of the utmost importance, you should seek out a farm that uses organic and sustainable growing methods, such as planting new trees to replace those chopped and not using chemical pesticides.
Renting a real Christmas tree is another eco-friendly choice. When the holiday season is over, you can take your tree back to the nursery where it will be cared for and eventually planted outside.

Decorations

The energy efficiency of LED lights is 80-90% higher than that of incandescent bulbs.They are more cost-effective initially, but they end up paying for themselves over time through reduced electricity consumption.
Buy solar-powered LED lights to further reduce your carbon footprint.
Set up a timer so that your lights come on at twilight and go off at bedtime.
Swap store-bought plastic ornaments and tinsel for handcrafted works of art. You can use natural materials like evergreen branches, pinecones, and berries to make ornaments and mantle displays that are truly one-of-a-kind. The garlands made from popcorn and cranberries or dried orange slices and cinnamon sticks are absolutely stunning.
Fill a bowl with pinecones, pomegranates, red and green apples, almonds, and a ribbon for a one-of-a-kind centerpiece for the holiday table.
Find FSC-marked cards. This ensures sustainable and ethical paper production. The Woodland Trust shop sells packs that support Britain’s woods. Planting cards are popular. Wildflower Papers includes spring-sowing seed packet cards.
Switch to reusable crackers. Some are constructed from natural linen and allow personalized gifting. These are green Christmas table decorations.
Choose a real, fresh wreath made with natural, seasonal leaves and decorations. Better yet, make your own from fabric that will last for years.

Conclusion

The holidays are a time for family, friends, and celebrating. They are also a time when we can reflect on our ethical and sustainable values.

When decorating and hosting holiday gatherings, we can make choices that reflect our commitment to protecting the environment and to supporting fair trade. By doing so, we can create holiday traditions that are both meaningful and responsible.