One of the most memorable and exciting things about the holiday season is the decorating. From the lights on rooftops to the sparkling ornaments on a tree, it’s hard to think of the holiday season without also picturing the decor that goes along with it. However, the holidays also contribute to a large increase in waste. This time of year, the piles of garbage and electricity usage skyrocket. Instead of investing your hard-earned money into cheap, one-time-use decorations, we want to challenge you to do your holiday decorating eco-style! Sustainable decor looks amazing, and will also bring a smile to your heart and your planet.
Incorporate the Outdoors
As you begin to plan out your perfect winter wonderland, why not bring all that nature has to offer indoors? There are plenty of winter-esque decorations right outside of your doorstep. Some of the most timeless plant-based decorations are pinecones, twigs, berries, and evergreen branches. These items look (and smell) great placed in a wooden bowl on a table, or piled inside of a lantern. Just make sure you keep them clear of high heat or open flames! If you feel like being creative, take your nature finds and use them as an amazing foundation or addition to your holiday wreaths!
Poinsettias are considered the Christmas flower, but further research will show you that very few places are able to successfully grow these red blooms. The flower you’re purchasing has most likely been shipped from far away. This year, opt instead for hitting up your local gardening center. They can give you beautiful and environmentally-friendly winter bloom options to use around your home that will still make your heart feel glad.
When talking about the great outdoors, we can’t forget one of the biggest staples of holiday decorating: the Christmas tree! Understandably, not everyone can realistically go green and get a live tree. Allergies, travel, and living restrictions are a part of life. If you are going the artificial route, there are still ways you can avoid too much waste. First, check your local thrift stores! Many people upgrade their artificial trees each year and donate their old ones. You can find amazing, almost new Christmas trees that you will enjoy for many years to come. On that note, if you do purchase an artificial tree, make sure it will hold up throughout your festivities as long as possible. A well-stored artificial tree can be used for decades and eliminate the waste of needing to purchase a new tree each year.
If you are lucky enough to be able to enjoy the magic of a real Christmas tree, there are plenty of ways you can push your eco-friendly decoration to be even more sustainable. Although using a live tree is a better option than an artificial one, once the holidays are over these live trees get thrown out, too. Instead of cutting down a tree, purchase a potted one! Once the season ends, these trees can be replanted and with some care can become a wonderful addition to your backyard garden. Just make sure you follow the guidelines for time indoors and outdoors as the changing temperature will cause your tree to switch between its active and dormant growing seasons!
Lighting Options
With the warmth of the holidays comes the beauty of spending the extended darkness by candlelight. Instead of going with paraffin-wax candles, this season incorporate beeswax or soy candles into your home. You will still enjoy the calming glow of the flame and the winter scents you’ve missed all year, but you avoid the negative emissions from the chemicals in other types of candles. Check out some of our candle options and enjoy the beauty of being kind to the planet!
If you have pets or small children, you may want to avoid open-flamed candles regardless of how much you love the aesthetic of candlelight. There are now very realistic, flameless LED candles that give the same look as a burning candle. Just without the worry and danger!
You can also go green with the twinkling lights of the holidays. LED lights are becoming more and more beautiful. You can find them in a wide variety of colors and tones, which help bring the warm feeling of the holidays inside and outside of your home. Bonus for outdoor light lovers: You can also find outdoor solar-powered light options! Double win in the eco-friendly category.
Get Thrifty
Instead of purchasing your holiday decorations from a new store, there are a few environmentally sustainable ways to save money this season. If you enjoy crafting, take a time-out from the daily hustle to indulge in some DIY decor. Give hand-made wreaths a shot, or practice your sewing by making your stockings out of old sweaters! Challenge your family to a hand-made ornament making contest and enjoy your efforts (and the memories) for years to come.
If you are not a crafty person, you can still lessen the hit on the environment (and your wallet) by taking a stroll through your local thrift shops. Many people donate their no-longer-used decorations, and you can find beautiful treasures for a minimal cost. Also check with relatives to see what decorations they may be wanting to donate or toss. Hand-me-down holiday decor can be a powerful and sentimental reminder of all of your holidays past.
We hope you’ve found some great ideas and inspiration for making your home feel like the holidays without leaving a large dent in our environment.
At Nezza Naturals, we offer 100% natural, handmade products to our customers. We have plenty of options for gifts for everyone on your list this year, and we would love to answer any questions about our products you may have! Check out our website, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Instagram to see product reviews and other clients’ comments. You can also email us at info@nezzanaturals.com or reach out via phone at 1.250.388.9171.
