The holiday season is here, and it's a time to reflect on the past year, spread joy, and connect with loved ones. But it's also an opportunity to think about how we can make our celebrations more sustainable. With a few mindful choices, we can reduce waste, save energy, and help protect the planet—all while still enjoying the warmth and magic of the holidays.

Here are some simple ways to make your holidays more eco-friendly this December:

1. Gift with Purpose

In our November newsletter, we covered ways to be mindful and respectful of the planet during the gifting season. But what does gifting with purpose really look like?

Think Experiences Over Things: Instead of material gifts, consider giving experiences—like concert tickets, a cooking class, a language course, or a cozy weekend getaway. These create memories, show you truly care, and have a lower environmental impact.

Some additional ideas that aren't "stuff": Museum memberships, wine tasting, coffee gift card (bonus points for virtual, not plastic!), spa package, restaurant gift certificate, botanical garden yearly pass, professional photo shoot, season tickets to the symphony/sports team/theater/ballet, yoga classes, annual streaming service subscription, movie tickets, audiobook subscriptions, National Park pass, a tarot reading

Support Local & Sustainable Brands: If opting to gift physical items, aka, "stuff," try to choose items from local artisans, buy from small businesses, or from brands that prioritize sustainable practices. Look for products made with eco-friendly materials or from companies committed to fair labor practices. If you're shopping for clothes. look for bamboo, hemp, and organic cotton. For children's toys, opt for wood or natural rubber instead of plastic.

Here are a few links to get you started when looking for more sustainable brands:

https://ethicalbranddirectory.com/

https://www.eco-stylist.com/sustainable-brands/

https://www.earthday.org/toolkit-how-to-shop-for-your-clothes/

https://www.ecolabelindex.com/ecolabels/

2. Sustainable Holiday Decor

Ah, the age-old question: is a real tree really more sustainable than a fake one? The answer is YES. Let us explain.

Trees that are cut down for sale at the holidays were grown for that purpose. It takes approximately eight years to grow a tree to sell, and during that time, other trees are being planted as well. And a tree planted is always better than a tree not planted. Zero trees are being planted to make faux Christmas trees, which are generally made of plastic from fossil fuels and shipped from China. They will end up in a landfill in a few short years where they will live forever. All parts of a real tree are compostable or reusable...because it's a tree! While this is a simplified version of this argument, you can read more about this topic at this link.

You could also purchase a potted tree, decorate it for the season, then plant it out come spring. What a wonderful way to honor the holidays, give back to the earth, and make lasting memories with your family! You then get to watch the trees grow, along with the memories you've made each year.

LED Holiday Lights: Swap out old incandescent lights for energy-efficient LED lights. They use less energy and last longer, saving you money and reducing your carbon footprint.
DIY Decorations: Get creative with homemade decorations made from recycled materials. Not only will this give your space a unique touch, but it’s also a fun, family-friendly activity. Consider making clay dreidels with your kids instead of buying plastic ones. Instead of plastic tree ornaments, decorate with natural items like pinecones, dried fruit, or cinnamon sticks. Many parts of the world have had a tradition of bringing the outdoors indoors during the shortest days of the year as a way to remind ourselves that spring that will always come, and to liven up otherwise gloomy and darker days. Let's hearken back to those days and bring in boughs and natural decor from outside! Here is some cute inspo.

3. Mindful Meals

Eat More Plant-Based: Holiday meals don’t have to be centered around meat. Plant-based recipes are just as festive and delicious. If you're hosting, offer a variety of plant-based options to accommodate all guests and reduce your carbon footprint. Your guests will be impressed by your compassion and dedication to the planet, as well as our cooking prowess! Check out our good friend Toni's website, Plant-Based on a Budget, for some show-stopping holiday recipes!

You could even consider leaving out oat milk for Santa!

4. Travel Light and Smart

Opt for Eco-Friendly Travel: If you're traveling this holiday season, consider taking the train or bus instead of flying. For short trips, carpooling is a great option. If flying is necessary, try to book direct flights (which tend to have a smaller carbon footprint), and pack only the bare essentials. OR - consider staying close to home and connecting with far-away loved ones virtually.

5. Zero-Waste Holiday Practices

Reusable Everything: Use reusable shopping bags when you are out, bring your own traveler mug when you go to get your peppermint mocha, and only serve holiday meals on real plates and flatware. This reduces the amount of single-use plastic and waste generated during the holidays.

Recycle Responsibly: Be sure to properly recycle holiday cards, gift packaging, and any other recyclable materials. Many cities offer special holiday recycling programs for things like Christmas trees or electronics. Some wrapping paper is recyclable (read more here), so long as it does not contain metallic finishes, glitter, or lamination. Gift bags are generally not recyclable, neither are bows, ribbons, or tissue paper, so skip these when you can!

Wrap Creatively: Skip the single-use wrapping paper altogether and try reusable gift bags, fabric wraps (like Furoshiki), or even newspapers and magazines. It’s a simple way to reduce waste and add a personal touch to your presents. Forgot your reusable shopping bag at the store? Get a paper bag that you can then reuse as wrapping paper. Add some twine, and maybe a sprig of rosemary, for an upscale and artisanal look that will impress your loved ones.

6. Give Back

Donate to Charity: Instead of giving physical gifts, consider making a donation in someone's name to an environmental charity or cause that matters to them. Sweet Farm offers animal sponsorship gifts that include a pdf certificate with the name of your gift recipient. You can also name a chicken in someone's name!

A note on volunteering during the holidays:

Nonprofits are inundated with volunteers around the holidays. When reaching out to find someplace to offer up your time, you will sadly often hear that they simply don't have the ability to take on new volunteers right now. While that can be difficult to hear when your goal is simply to help, the reality is that volunteering needs to be a regular commitment, not a once-a-year event. Training volunteers is incredibly time consuming for people who are either volunteers themselves, or employees who are short on time and long on work, as is usually the case at nonprofit organizations. So if you truly wish to give back by volunteering your time, pick an organization that is important to you and offer your time at some other time of year, and make a habit out of it. Make it worth their time investment to train you, and be reliable. That is how to be truly helpful.

We cherish our regular volunteers!

Our most dedicated volunteer, Charlie, helping move our newest goose, Loosey Goosey, to meet her new flock!

A Thought to Carry Into the New Year

The holidays are a time for joy, but they can also be a time for positive change. By making small, sustainable choices, we not only reduce our environmental impact but also help set the stage for a brighter, greener future for all. And remember, we are all leading by example. We are creating lasting memories for the next generation -- make them responsible and wholesome memories!

We hope these tips inspire you to celebrate the season with both joy and mindfulness. Wishing you and your loved ones a holiday season full of love, peace, and compassion.

Celebrate a Sustainable Holiday Season