Most festive decor, from tinsel and ornaments to trees, is majorly made from single-use plastic. Most individuals don’t realize that when these items are disposed of improperly, they can break down into microplastics and enter the food chain, posing a serious threat to the overall well-being of all living organisms. That said, there is an easy solution: swap plastic decor with sustainable ones made from eco-friendly materials to reduce environmental impact and save money.
Repurpose and reuse
One of the most sustainable ways for one to decorate their homes for the holidays is by using things they already own. This will help minimize the need to purchase anything new, helping them save money and the environment.
One can rearrange pieces, such as vintage ornaments, or upcycle beaded garlands from fabric scraps and common household items to create a unique yet festive look.
Choose sustainable materials
If one does need to buy something, they should opt for decorative items made from sustainable materials
Wood
One can consider opting for the timeless and rustic elegance of wooden ornaments and festive decor. Not only is this a sustainable material, but it is also rather durable, reducing the need for multiple purchases and making it a great choice for decorating outdoors.
Wood can be incorporated into decor in a myriad of ways. They can be cut into shapes to make ornaments, coasters, and snowflakes to hang around the house or used as a pile of birch logs in a corner to create visual interest.
Pinecones
Pinecones are another fun and sustainable addition to the home. They can be stacked in a basket with some green twigs for a festive touch or strung together to hang them around the door or the tree. They hold colors well, so one can paint them in festive colors!
Dehydrated orange slices
If one wants to incorporate more natural elements, especially colorful ones, they can opt for oranges and lemons. These can be dehydrated and used to create wreaths and other decorative pieces. Once dehydrated, they can easily be stored for years to come.
One can cut the fruit to a thickness of around ¼ or ⅛ of an inch, blot them with a paper towel to remove any juices and excessive moisture, and arrange them on a baking sheet before popping them in the oven at 200℉ for three to four hours until they completely dry out. It is important to flip them over every 30 minutes so they don’t burn.
Herbs
One can set some herbs aside from the kitchen to create decorative pieces for the home. Popular ideas include tying up cinnamon sticks that can be attached to wreaths, added to potpourri baskets, or turned into little herb bundles. And guess what? These make for wonderful gifts for the guests, too!
Other sustainable items that can be used for festive decor include winter or sumac berries, fresh cranberries, holly, eucalyptus, and dried flowers.
Go out thrifting
One should consider giving pre-loved items a second lease of life. Instead of looking for “new” decor pieces around the holiday season, they can check out thrift stores and yard sales. This is also a great way of finding unique and vintage items at an affordable price.
While the actual range of items will differ from store to store, one will be able to find items like ornaments, garlands, cutlery, dishware, textiles, candle holders, craft supplies, and more at thrift stores.
Try DIY lanterns
One can also refurbish old glass jars and mason jars to make simple lanterns at home. This is a wonderful way of adding some light to the home in an eco-conscious manner. Clean the jars out, and place a battery-operated tealight or candle inside. One can make custom festive homemade candles using soy wax and essential oils. Decorate with faux snow, cranberries, or greens to suit the festive mood.
Use textiles to add a pop of color
To make the home feel more inviting during the festive season, one can also use textiles, including fun, themed blankets and pillows. For instance, plaid or snowflake blankets can be a fun addition to the Christmas season. One can use them as a throw on the couch or armchair or drape them around the tree to make a cute tree skirt. Similarly, one can decorate their home with various throw pillows and cushions. One can easily make the covers for these adornments at home using thrifted fabrics or old sweaters.
Take on craft projects at home
Sustainability can be a fun family activity, as can engaging in DIY craft projects at home. One can get the children involved in making decor using thrifted craft supplies like jars, ribbons, ornaments, buttons, and glitter. Use these to decorate the tree or make snow globes.
One can also DIY their wreath or fireplace mantle at home, using eco-friendly materials like conifer clippings, berries, dried flowers, and herbs.
To truly embrace sustainability, one also needs to consider how they dispose of and store their decor items. Plastic, cardboard, and paper items that can no longer be used must be sent for recycling, and winter greenery, including aged herbs, can be turned into compost for the yard. The tree can be clipped to turn into mulch, while smaller branches and needles can be added to the compost bin to reduce wastage. Additionally, one should donate any decorations no longer needed at thrift stores and charities or repurpose them for future use.
