10 Eco-Friendly Tips for a Greener Christmas

Cousin Eddie believes that the jelly of the month club is the true gift that keeps on giving the whole year, but really it’s swapping plastic gift bags and tissue paper for reusable gift bags or containers that can double as part of the gift. Think mason jars, cute tote bags, decorative baskets or comfy scarves. Wrapping paper is so last year (literally, it ends up in a landfill as soon as the gifts are opened).

After a big holiday meal there’s often so many leftovers and so little room in the fridge. But before you toss those turkey carcasses or half-eaten sides, think about creative ways to repurpose them. Make take-home plates for your guests, turn leftover veggies into soup, save that stuffing for a breakfast hash or make your own homemade dog treats.

Instead of stressing over finding that "perfect" gift for your best friend who, let’s be real, has enough novelty socks and coffee mugs to start a small store, why not donate to their favorite charity in their name? The charity benefits, your bestie gets the warm and fuzzy "I’m a good human being" vibe and you avoid the hassle of pretending to know what they actually want. It’s a win-win-win!

Instead of buying gifts for everyone in the office or your entire extended family, why not tone things down with a Secret Santa exchange? But here’s the twist: make the rule that all gifts must be regifted or something you’ve already bought but never used. Perfect for those "why did I even get this?" gifts from past years or random items you've totally forgotten about.

Who says you need glitter and plastic to make your home festive? This year, try going au naturel with your holiday decor. Not only does it look gorgeous and create a cozy, rustic vibe, but it's eco-friendly, biodegradable and mostly FREE! So, toss the tinsel and deck your halls with nature’s holiday swag — pinecones, branches and evergreen boughs.

Sure, seeing all the paper Christmas cards strategically placed on your fireplace (you know what I mean…the people you barely know are placed in the back — who even is Aunt Brenda?) feels festive, but they’re eventually headed straight for the recycling bin after the holidays. Why not skip the paper trail and send a digital card instead? You can do it all from the comfort of your couch, no freezing your butt off having to go to the post office.

Want to give a gift that’s both sustainable and satisfying? Opt for edible presents! Homemade jams, cookies or a jar of spiced tea are thoughtful gifts that come with minimal packaging and zero waste. Take it one step further by creating custom gift baskets with local, organic ingredients. These gifts won’t end up in a landfill…unless, of course, you give the gift of fruitcake.

Why buy new or automatically head to Amazon when you can go treasure hunting at your local thrift store? Whether it’s a totally rad ‘80s retro sweater that would look so fly on your sister or a quirky piece of jewlery that perfectly matches your besties vibe, thrift store finds are the perfect mix of eco-friendly and unique. Who wouldn’t want to hear, “Where did you get that? It’s amazing!” instead of, “I have two of those myself”. Bonus holiday goodness: you’ll be supporting a charitable organization while you’re at it.

Instead of giving more stuff, give the gift of memories. Skip the knick-knacks and give something that won’t collect dust. Think less third bathrobe and more picnic in the park, cooking class, spa day or a cozy movie night with all their favorite snacks while rewatching their most-loved movie for the umpteenth time. These experiences won’t take up space…except the space in their hearts (awww...). Best of all, you won’t have to worry about return policies.

This holiday season, skip the travel-heavy ingredients and embrace seasonal produce like squash, Brussels sprouts and sweet potatoes, which are perfect for hearty plant-based meals. Try swapping out traditional meats for delicious plant-based options like a lentil loaf or mushroom Wellington that’s as fancy as it sounds. You’ll create a festive spread that’s fresh, flavorful and good both the planet and your health.