Ways to Have a Sustainable Christmas

Updated on May 11th, 2026

Christmas is a wonderful time when family and friends come together. However, the holiday season can come with a lot of waste from unwanted gifts to excessive packaging. Here are ways you can be more sustainable this Christmas from mindful gift-giving to eco-friendly decor.

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Mindful Gifts

Presents are often a large focus of Christmas especially for children. Gift giving can become excessive though with giving items the giftee will not use or packaging that is thrown in the trash. However, there are ways you can still give gifts this season while being mindful of the environment. The first tip is to consider the gifts your family and friends would actually use. You can ask for their wishes to ensure your gift will be used and not forgotten the week after Christmas ends.

When shopping for gifts, you can shop locally to support small businesses and the local economy. You can also shop secondhand and you can often find items in good condition that you can re-gift. When shopping for gifts, you should also be mindful of the packaging. If a gift is in plastic packaging, the packaging is often thrown in the trash while cardboard boxes can be recycled. It is even better if the gift is packaging-free.

Furthermore, you can gift an experience. One of my favorite gifts to receive around Christmastime is tickets to the movie theater where I can pick a movie I want to see. You can also gift a meal at a restaurant, a class, concert tickets, a spa visit, a weekend getaway, and more. Lastly, you can make your own gifts. If you are creative, you can knit a scarf, write a poem, make a scrapbook or photo album, make your own beeswax wax melts, handmade soaps, body scrub, homemade jam, or bake cookies. One Christmas I made a painting of a cabin in the snow for my partner’s grandfather that he hung up in his home. Making your own gifts is a thoughtful way to celebrate the holidays.

Eco-Friendly Wrapping Paper

You may already know this, but not all wrapping paper is recyclable. Foil, glitter-decorated, and laminated wrapping paper is not recyclable because it contains more than just paper, and it is likely to end up in the landfill. Opt for eco-friendly wrapping paper instead, which is made from recyclable materials. Instead of using regular tape, you can use Kraft Paper Tape, which is plastic-free and recyclable. Other eco-friendly options for wrapping gifts are fabric (furoshiki), newspaper, kraft paper, and a reusable tote bag. Also, if you have any gift bags from the previous holidays, you can use them again for Christmas presents this year. By being mindful of how you wrap your gifts, you can do your part to make Christmas a little more sustainable.

Sustainable Christmas Decor

There seems to always be a debate over having a real or fake Christmas tree. However, both options can be environmentally friendly. If you are opting for a real Christmas tree, purchase a potted tree that can be replanted after the holidays are over. If you are going for an artificial tree, ensure it is a quality tree that can last for years to come. It is better if you can find an artificial tree at a thrift store instead of buying a new one. Growing up, my parents always had an artificial Christmas tree that we used for about 20 years until they moved out of state.

For other Christmas decorations, you do not have to go out and buy new decor every year. You should use the decor you already have. If you are looking for something new, you can shop secondhand and see what you can find. You can also make your own decor and use fallen pine tree branches and pine cones around your home. Furthermore, you can make salt dough ornaments, dried orange slices for ornaments or garlands, and paper garlands. Lastly, you can opt for solar-powered lights or LED Christmas lights, which use less electricity than regular incandescent lights.

Christmas Cards

Even though sending a Christmas card is a nice gesture, the cards are often thrown away after the holidays. If you still want to send Christmas cards this year, consider plantable cards. The cards are made with seed paper, and after the holidays, the cards can be planted outdoors or in a pot indoors. You can also make your own Christmas cards instead of buying new cards to send to family and friends. For kids who want to write a letter to Santa, you can look into getting a plastic-free Santa Letter Kit. The kit includes a letter to Santa, an envelope, stickers, and a thank-you Santa postcard. Lastly, you can send e-cards. E-cards can be a nice way to show you care for family and friends who live out of the country.

Plan Christmas Dinner

If you are cooking Christmas dinner, there are steps you can take to be more sustainable. You should plan for how many people are coming to dinner. You can create a shopping list, so you do not buy excess ingredients. When shopping for ingredients, opt for loose produce when you can. You can also look for ingredients that are in glass jars or metal cans, which can be recycled. For dinner, you should also use plates and utensils you already own instead of paper plates and plastic utensils, which would be thrown in the trash. After the meal, you can compost any food waste and save any leftovers for the next day.

Christmas Activities

When you have family and friends visit for the holidays, there are numerous sustainable activities you can do together. One suggestion is to go for a walk in nature. Going for a walk is a refreshing activity, especially after a large meal. Kids can even do a winter scavenger hunt or gather items to use for crafts while on the walk. Other activities can include playing board games, baking and decorating Christmas cookies, making pinecone bird feeders, and listening to Christmas songs. You can also watch a Christmas movie on Disney+ or a Christmas-themed movie on Netflix.

Sustainable Christmas Outfit

Lastly, you do not have to go out and buy a new outfit for Christmas that you may just wear once and then forget about in your closet. You can shop your closet and wear an outfit you already own. If you do want a new outfit for Christmas, I recommend shopping secondhand either in stores or on online marketplaces. You can also do a clothing swap or rent clothes for the holidays.

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Are you making any plans to be more sustainable this Christmas?