Make more conscious choices in a season typically associated with excess. Whether you're hoping to reduce your carbon footprint, lean into more sustainable materials, or minimize waste, here are some ideas for eco-friendly holiday decorations you can incorporate into your displays this year.
1. High-Quality Artificial Christmas Tree
Choosing a high-quality artificial tree is a great investment in eco-friendly decorating. It eliminates the need to cut down a new tree each year and can be reused for a decade or more. Plus, look into trees made with sustainable materials for an even more reduced carbon footprint. Balsam Hill's reNEW™ Christmas trees feature the same lifelike look and feel, but are crafted with recycled or plant-based plastic.
2. Thrifted or Vintage Ornaments
Support a circular economy and reduce overconsumption with these ideas:
- Shop estate sales or thrift stores for unique décor filled with charm and character.
- Host swap meets with friends and neighbors for new-to-you decorations.
3. Upcycled Holiday Accents
Give new life to old or broken ornaments by arranging them into festive centerpieces or holiday vignettes. Fill a fancy bowl, lanterns, or a shallow tray with a collection of these ornaments for a touch of Christmas cheer.
4. LED Christmas Lights
Reduce your holiday energy consumption and electricity bill by switching to LED lights for your tree and other holiday displays. They use up to 80% less power and last significantly longer than traditional incandescent bulbs, making them a smart and sustainable choice.
You can also consider solar lights for outdoor decorations and displays.
5. Natural Décor
Gather natural elements like pinecones, acorns, and evergreen cuttings to add a rustic touch to your holiday décor. Dried orange slices, bundles of cinnamon sticks, and mistletoe sprigs also make great seasonal accents. These can all be easily composted after the holidays.
Just be careful to keep organic décor out of reach of children and pets.
6. DIY Ornaments
Get little ones in on the holiday decorating fun and encourage them to make their own tree décor with recycled materials.
- Make your own salt dough ornaments.
- Paint wood slices.
- Fill clear Christmas balls with recycled wrapping paper, old ribbon, and other festive accents.
- Use wire and pipe cleaners or beads to make snowflake ornaments.
7. Heirloom-Quality Decorations
The saying "buy nice or buy twice” can apply to holiday décor, too. Invest in finely-crafted essentials like tree skirts, toppers, and ornaments in timeless or neutral designs, which you can mix and match or dress up year after year. It's a more sustainable choice in the long run, and these pieces will become part of your family's holiday memories.
Frequently Asked Questions
How To Sustainably Decorate for Christmas?
Sustainability can mean making more mindful choices with your resources, in the hopes of reducing negative impact on the planet in the long run. You can opt for recycling or upcycling decorations to lessen waste, or invest in high-quality décor you can use for many years. You can also look into local handicrafts made with more Earth-friendly materials and processes.
What Can Be Used Instead of Tinsel?
Tinsel is tough to recycle, so look into décor made with more eco-friendly materials to adorn your tree. Try paper chains, wooden or glass bead garlands, burlap ribbon, or even natural evergreen garlands are all festive touches.
What Is an Eco-Friendly Alternative to a Christmas Tree?
It depends on how you define what being eco-friendly means to you. For some, it means using a live Christmas tree that can be composted after the holiday season. For others, it's investing in a high-quality artificial tree they can use for over five years, which experts say negates its carbon footprint. You can also purchase artificial Christmas trees made with recycled post-consumer plastic or created with materials from renewable or sustainable sources, like Balsam Hill's reNEW™Collection.
Stay Connected
For Expert Advice
Call 1.888.55.BALSAM, Text 1.650.855.8663, or Contact Us