Deck the halls — but make it green, folks!
Christmas is coming, and it’s time to start decorating! 🎄 But what’s that? You’re tired of glittering plastic everything, wreaths destined for a landfill, and using enough electricity to rival the Times Square New Year’s Ball? Well, fear not festive friend, we’ve got 15 (yes, FIFTEEN!) fabulous, sustainable Christmas decor ideas that’ll keep both your holiday spirit and the planet jolly!
Ready to make Santa proud while Mother Earth does a little happy dance? Let’s dive into a holly, jolly, eco-friendly wonderland, Homespir-style!
1. Branch Out with Real Trees (but Think Local!)
If you’re planning to go au naturale, pick a tree from a local farm. It supports the community and doesn’t have to hitch a ride on a diesel-fueled sleigh from five states away! Bonus points if you give it a second life by recycling or even turning it into mulch for your garden. 🌲 Your cabbage patch will thank you.
2. Opt for an “Upcycled” Tree
Want to skip the real tree altogether? Channel your inner Christmas MacGyver—build one from recycled materials! Try wood scraps, old books, or even wine corks (after a few festive bottles, naturally). It’s festive, funky, and completely waste-free. Plus, it’s a brilliant conversation starter. “Oh, your tree’s plastic? Cute. Mine’s made from 200 wine bottles and sheer ambition.” 🍷
3. DIY Ornaments: Craft and Conquer
Grab your hot glue gun, ’cause we’re making ornaments out of everything! Old buttons? Ornaments. Pinecones? Fancy ornaments. Last week’s cereal? Alright, now we’re just getting weird… but still! You get bonus eco-points for using items destined for the trash bin. 🎨
4. Go Glitter-Free Santa
It’s hard to believe, but glitter = microplastic! (Cue dramatic music 🎼) Opt for eco-friendly alternatives like edible glitter (yum!) or plastic-free frosts for a sparkly look that doesn’t hurt the environment… or get stuck in your cat’s fur. Sorry, Fluffy. 🐱
5. Use Candlelight, Skip the Electricity
Why make your electric meter run like Rudolph when you can enjoy the flickering, romantic glow of candles? Opt for soy or beeswax candles for that cozy, warm atmosphere without the guilt—and your savings? Consider them an extra holiday gift! 🕯️
6. Recycled Gift Wrap? It’s a (Present) Wrap!
Step away from the glittery wrapping paper, we repeat, STEP AWAY! Instead, use newspapers, brown kraft paper, or literally old maps to give your gifts that chic, rustic look. Psst… Don’t forget to show off how you single-handedly saved the planet when your aunt asks why there’s a weather report on her gift. 🌍🎁
7. Go Natural with Greenery
Pine boughs for the mantle, sprigs of holly on the staircase, and eucalyptus in vases—oh my! Fresh greenery makes your home smell (and look!) like a Hallmark movie set. Pinecones make adorable, ready-made decor additions too. Pro tip: Forage from your own backyard and avoid buying imported or plastic versions.
8. Old Sweaters Become… Garlands!
Have an old sweater that makes you cringe just by looking at it? CUT IT UP! Use that ’90s relic to create beautiful handmade garlands. You’ll get the cozy look with all the sustainable feels. Bonus points if it’s ugly-looking and ugly Christmas-sweater-themed. Who would’ve thought your wardrobe missteps would be a holiday hit?
9. Fairy Lights on Steroids: Solar Edition
What’s more magical than twinkling fairy lights? SOLAR twinkling fairy lights! Perfect for outdoor use and a great way to avoid the annual “who tripped over the extension cord line?” debacle. 🌞 Perfect… unless you live somewhere cloudy, in which case, maybe buy some extra candles (see tip #5).
10. Swap Plastic for Glass Ornaments
Celebrate your inner vintage aestheticist by hunting down some beautiful glass ornaments. Check out thrift stores or family hand-me-downs for that retro glow up. They’ll make your tree look classy, and you’ll *look* classy for choosing a sustainable option. Win-win, darling.
11. Cinnamon Sticks & Dried Fruit FTW!
Smells = memories, right? There’s nothing like the scent of cinnamon and oranges filling your home. Make ornaments or garlands out of cinnamon sticks and dried fruit for a festive touch that’s eco-friendly—and snackable if you get desperate while waiting for Santa’s cookies. 🍊
12. Rent or Borrow Decorations
Let’s be honest, how many years can you realistically look at that same old blow-up snowman without wanting to chuck it out the window? Avoid clutter and waste by renting holiday decorations or borrowing some from the fam. Your home can still look merry without accumulating every mall Santa replica ever made. 🎅
13. Biodegradable Confetti: Let it (Environmentally Friendly) Snow!
Toss those plastic snowflakes away (just metaphorically – dispose of them responsibly) and opt for biodegradable confetti. Whether you buy it or make it, this snow won’t melt into an environmental disaster. Cue epic blizzard scenes made of paper snowflakes and oat bran. 🏔️
14. Fabric Bows? Bow-tiful and Reusable!
Skip the sticky-back bows that’ll be thrown away right after the gifts are torn open. Try festive fabric bows instead! Use leftover bits from old clothing or quilts, and once the presents are unwrapped, they can be reused or turned into next year’s tree ornaments. Fashion-forward and forward-thinking! 🎀
15. Keep it Local
Last but certainly not least—support local crafters and artisans! Whether it’s hand-carved Santas or macrame snowflakes, buying local means less shipping pollution and more unique, hand-made treasures. Plus, you’ll be the eco-chic Queen/King of the holiday market scene. 👑
And there you have it, friends! 🎅
With these 15 sustainable decor tips, you can have an eco-friendly Christmas that shines just as brightly as ever—minus the plastic glitter and carbon footprint. As always, our mission here at Homespir is to inspire you to create beautiful, mindful homes that reflect who you are and how you want to treat the world. 🌍💚
Want more inspiration? Stay in the loop by visiting homespir.com, follow us on social media for more creative tips, and absolutely DO sign up for our newsletter—you’ll even get to read exclusive tips before your nosy cousin does. Let us do the work, while you sit back with your holla-day beverage.
P.S: Don’t forget, your table decor may look sustainable, but its true success will be decided when Uncle Larry tries to sit on the centerpiece (again). Keep it low, people, keep it low. 🍽️
Happy eco-decking to all, and to all a good night! 🌟