Celebrate the Season Sustainably: Simple Ways to Have a Low-Waste Holiday

The holiday season is a time for joy, togetherness, and celebration, but it can also be a time of excess — whether it’s food waste, unwanted gifts, or disposable decorations. This year, why not give the Earth a gift by embracing a more sustainable approach to your holiday traditions?

Here are a few easy tips to help make your festivities both fun and eco-friendly.

Deck the Halls — Sustainably

Make your home feel cozy and festive with this low-waste decor:

• Paper Snowflakes: Grab some old magazines or scrap paper and cut out beautiful snowflakes to hang around your home.

• Popcorn Garland: String together some air-popped popcorn for a classic, compostable decoration.

• DIY Tree: Instead of buying a new artificial tree, create your own using books, a ladder, existing house plants or even branches for a minimalist, whimsical look.

• Natural Elements: Collect pinecones, dried leaves, and branches on your next nature walk. These items make for beautiful centerpieces, wreaths, or mantel accents.

Tip: Visit your local thrift store for unique, secondhand decorations – check out this reel from Educator Shania for inspiration! 

Low-Waste Feasts

Planning a sustainable holiday meal is easier than you think! 

• Make a List: Take a queue from Santa by creating a grocery list before you shop and make sure to check it twice. This helps ensure you only buy what you need and avoid overstocking.

• Compost Scraps: Inevitably, some food waste is bound to occur— for unavoidable scraps be sure they end up in the compost and not the landfill.

• Share the Leftovers: Hosting a holiday dinner? Encourage guests to bring reusable containers so everyone can enjoy the leftovers. Anything left after that can be frozen or turned into a soup to share with friends and family.

Tip: Looking for some planet-friendly meals for your celebrations? Check out the EcoCooks blog for recipes for plant-based Holiday Roast and our favourite holiday sides!

Thoughtful Gift-Giving

Did you know that nearly 30% of adults receive unwanted gifts each year? Avoid the waste by giving meaningful gifts that will be used and appreciated. Here are a few ways to rethink holiday shopping:

• Keep a Running List: Throughout the year, jot down gift ideas when someone mentions something they need or love.

• Ask Around: Unsure what to give? Check in with a close friend or family member for suggestions.

• One Big Gift: Instead of giving multiple small items, coordinate with friends or family to contribute toward one meaningful gift.

• Gift an Experience: Memories can last longer than things! Consider giving experiences instead of physical gifts, such as:

• A visit to a local garden, show or Christmas tree farm.

• A mason jar filled with ingredients for your favorite cookie recipe.

• A pottery, cooking or painting class for a creative, hands-on experience

Tip: Discover more tips on gift-giving (+ other great sustainable holiday tips!) at Metro Vancouver’s Make Memories not Garbage.

Stay tuned on our Instagram this month for more holiday ideas and inspiration - did someone say sustainable gift-wrapping? Oat nogg? Textile cards?

By making small changes in how we decorate, cook, and gift this holiday season, we can celebrate more sustainably while spreading joy and cheer. Happy Holidays!