Greening the Holidays: Eco-Friendly Tips for a Healthier and Sustainable Season

Detoxify your Holidays: Discover eco-friendly practices for a healthier and more sustainable holiday season from alternative Christmas trees to non-toxic candles and sustainable toys.

Detoxifying the Holidays with Eco-Friendly Practices

The holiday season presents different opportunities to embrace eco-friendly practices while celebrating and indulging in the festivities. By choosing sustainable alternatives, it can significantly reduce environmental impact and promote a healthier approach to the festivities. There are different ways to do this which may fit different lifestyles and incomes. Each year we like to identify one thing during the holiday season to replace or choose an alternative option. This year we opted to use the brown paper bags we’ve saved as wrapping paper instead of buying wrapping paper that cannot always be recycled. By using brown paper bags, we can also decorate the paper in different ways adding to the festivity. It can be fun identifying alternatives to frequently used items during the holidays or changing up a tradition. Put your creativity hat on and see what magic may unfold. 

Eco-Friendly Alternatives for Christmas Trees

In recent years, the demand for eco-friendly Christmas tree alternatives has led to the emergence of innovative options. While traditional cut Christmas trees are a popular choice, they can be sprayed with pesticides during the growing season, which then introduces toxins into your home environment. When buying a live tree, you may want to buy from an organic tree farm or ask about the use of pesticides before purchasing. After the holiday season, they can result in a significant amount of waste.

Potted trees or live Christmas trees provide a sustainable alternative, as they can be replanted or continue to grow, reducing the environmental impact associated with traditional cut trees. If you have allergies, you could opt for an alternative Christmas tree made out of different materials, such as reclaimed or sustainable wood, books, LED lights, fabric, etc. 

5 Uses for Live Christmas Tree After the Holiday 

• Use the branches to mulch perennial garden beds
• Replant the tree if bought with the root ball
• Compost the trunk and branches
• See if a local farm would accept your tree for their chickens or goats
• Use for firewood

Healthier Options for Holiday Candies

Who doesn’t enjoy in indulging of the sweets and candies during the holiday season? Holiday candies are a beloved part of the festive season, but the excessive consumption of traditional candies laden with artificial ingredients and high sugar content can negatively impact health. However, individuals can make healthier choices by opting for candies made from natural ingredients, such as organic cane sugar and natural food colorings, which offer a more nutritious alternative to traditional holiday candies. Furthermore, homemade fruit-based candies or dried fruit treats provide a healthier option for satisfying sweet cravings during the holidays offering a balance between indulgence and nutritional value.

Non-Toxic Candles for a Safer Environment

The ambiance created by candles is a hallmark of the holiday season, but it’s important to consider the potential health impacts of burning traditional paraffin candles, which release harmful chemicals when lit. In contrast, beeswax candles and soy candles are natural, non-toxic alternatives that promote a safer indoor environment. These candles emit minimal toxins when burned contributing to a healthier atmosphere during holiday gatherings. Additionally, candles made from essential oils and natural fragrances provide a non-toxic option for individuals concerned about indoor air quality and their well-being. By choosing non-toxic candles, individuals can enjoy the holiday glow without compromising their health.

Sustainable and Non-Toxic Toys

The tradition of exchanging gifts during the holiday season presents an opportunity to prioritize sustainability and safety when selecting toys for children. Wooden toys crafted from sustainably sourced wood are durable, non-toxic, and biodegradable, making them an eco-friendly choice for children’s gifts. Moreover, toys made from recycled plastic materials contribute to reducing plastic waste and offer a sustainable option for holiday gift-giving. Ensuring that toys are labeled with certifications such as “ASTM F963” or “CPSIA” provides assurance that they meet safety and non-toxicity standards for children, giving peace of mind to gift-givers and parents alike.

Environmentally Friendly Decorations

The process of decorating for the holidays offers an opportunity to embrace creativity and sustainability by incorporating environmentally friendly alternatives. DIY decorations using natural elements such as pinecones, twigs, and dried flowers offer an eco-friendly and cost-effective way to adorn living spaces during the holidays. Upcycling materials like glass jars, fabric scraps, and paper into holiday decorations not only promotes sustainability but also encourages resourcefulness and creativity. Choosing decorations made from sustainable materials like bamboo, jute, or recycled glass further minimizes environmental impact, offering an elegant and conscientious approach to holiday decor. This might be an opportunity of starting a new tradition of making homemade ornaments or decorations each year.

These are just a few ideas for alternatives during the holiday season to get you started on swapping out toxic items or identifying environmentally-friendly alternatives. Have fun coming up with your own ideas and making swaps. Use it as an opportunity to start new traditions or revitalize older traditions. The holidays are a great time to talk with grandparents and older generations about what they used to decorate or celebrate the holiday season. You might just find some non-toxic and environmentally-friendly ideas within their stories. Most importantly have fun; the holiday season is about joy afterall.