Photo: stev.ie

This Christmas, take some simple eco-friendly measures to reduce waste, protect the environment, and save money in the process.

The Tree

The first step to a green Christmas is picking the right tree. For years, artificial trees were considered the best option as they saved real trees. However, the production and disposal of artificial trees cause much damage, utilizing and emitting harmful chemicals and ending up in a landfill.

Cut Trees

A better idea is to source a real tree from your local organic tree farm. These farms continuously plant and replant trees, negating worries about deforestation and environmental damage. Furthermore, many of these farms offer other organic produce as well as tree recycling options.

Potted Trees

The other option is to rent or buy a potted tree. These trees come with living roots, which means you can return the tree after the holidays or keep it for the next few years. Once the tree outgrows the pot, replant it in your yard or donate it to a local park or farm.

Creative Trees

If you’re up for some crazy creativity, recycle assorted scrap lying around the house and fashion your very own tree. Empty bottles, beer cans, coat hangers, cardboard, whatever you fancy. Need some inspiration? Look at these ideas over at Eco Friend.

Recycling the Old Tree

Once the tree has run its course, be sure to recycle. If you have a garden, turn the tree into mulch, a great way to supplement soil nutrients. If not, find a shredding center in your area or an organic farm that will turn the tree to mulch. In case of artificial trees, call the local recycling center for the best possible options.

Decorations

The holidays are a time for family, so gather around and bond as you transform old magazines, pieces of fruit, empty bottles and bits of lace into Christmas decorations.

Try Upcycling

Upcycling is the process of transforming out-of-commission items into something useful. This means you can create unique Christmas decorations out of scrap materials like expired light bulbs, old CDs, empty tins and used cups.

Our 10 ways to reuse wine bottles article also falls in this category.

DIY Eco-Displays

Play with cardboard, origami, old jewelry and organic materials like fruits, pine cones, dry branches, and flowers to create festive displays. These are small, simple decorations– sticks of cinnamon tied with gold trim as place settings for the big family dinner, painted pine cones on the coffee table, or your own wreath – that add to the festivities.

LED Lights & Green Candles

Photo: Thijs

Switch from conventional Christmas lights to energy efficient LED Christmas lights. You’ll have lower electricity bills and a brighter Christmas. Also ,replace petroleum based candles with eco-friendly natural-vegetable-based candles, like soy candles.

Gifts and Cards

Season’s Greetings

Make sure your gifts and cards work for the environment. There are a number of eco-friendly gift options to choose from. Add a personal touch by attaching handmade cards, using papers and other recycled items, to your gifts.

Green Packaging

When gifting, especially within the family, use fabrics as wrapping material instead of paper. Pull out unused scarves, left over fabric and cloth bags to wrap Christmas gifts. If this idea appeals to you, look up the art of furoshiki, a traditional Japanese gift wrapping technique using fabric.

Similarly make use of eco-friendly bags, old wrapping paper or create your own personalized collage wrapping paper.

Do you have other tips to share? Leave them below in the comments.

Community Connection:

Looking for gifts that make a difference? Check out our guide to Gifts for a Good Cause.