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Could a vintage Christmas hold the key to sustainability? Embrace traditions that reduce, reuse, and recycle this holiday season.
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Festive linens, freshly pressed, decorating the table. Comforting scents of soft pine, minty eucalyptus, and lightly spiced oranges warm the room and decorate the tree. Underneath, gifts galore, lovingly chosen from small, local makers and artisans, are wrapped in silky scarves or simple boxes accentuated with bright sprigs of winter berries. These cozy, festive choices are not only ways to curate a warm Holiday ambiance, but they’re also ethical choices that harken back to simpler times.
These days, the holidays tend to arrive in a whirlwind of lights, gifts, and the indulgence of shopping at large retailers promising next-day deliveries. It’s become a season that’s equal parts joy and excess. But when you pause and curate the experience with more intention, Christmas becomes something richer: a celebration that honors beauty, meaning, and gentleness toward the planet. A sustainable holiday isn’t about doing less; it’s about savoring more — choosing traditions that feel grounding, gifts that feel thoughtful, and rituals that make the season feel like it belongs to you again.
That said, here are some ways to indulge in the festive elements in a softer, more eco-friendly way this holiday season.
Have a vintage Christmas
Pack of 12 Vintage Satin 1″ Vintage Christmas Ornaments are from the 1990s and also available in baby blue, fuchsia, and burgundy $9.99
Look to the past for vintage Christmas decorations that are just as beautiful now as they were during a Christmas a long time ago. Decorate your tree with shiny glass bulbs, woven satin ornaments, accents, woven garlands, and kitschy figurines of Santa, nutcrackers, and reindeers. Sites like Etsy have hundreds of unique vintage finds to decorate your tree and home during the holidays.
Bring nature indoors
Turn orange slices into natural and biodegradable Christmas decorations.
1. Thinly slice oranges.
2. Bake them on a wire rack in the oven at 200 degrees for 3-6 hours.
3. Flip them every 30-60 minutes until firm and translucent.
Simple, organic materials — pine branches, eucalyptus, dried citrus, herbs, gathered pinecones — add texture and fragrance without relying on plastic décor. They create an atmosphere that feels luxurious yet grounded, and once the holiday season is over, you can compost and let them decompose in nature.
Go Small. Shop Locally.
Support the makers and doers in your hometown. Visit a farmers’ market, Christmas village, or other local marketplace to buy your gifts. Choosing to shop locally rather than buying from a large retailer directly supports small businesses and reduces emissions from travel. Plus, you’re more likely to find interesting, unique items handmade by artisans.
Choose the right tree for you
Norfolk Island Pine 24- 36” tall $199
Don’t mind a smaller tree? Buy a potted tree for Christmas that you can decorate your home with year-round. By choosing a tree that you won’t throw out yearly, you’ll reduce deforestation and organic landfill waste.
Whether you prefer a real or artificial tree, the key to reducing your environmental impact is choosing your tree thoughtfully. Every year, Americans throw away an estimated 20 million Christmas trees, with most of these ending up in landfills. Yet, there are alternatives to this waste that will still allow you to enjoy the ambiance of the holiday spirit.
Invest in an artificial Christmas tree. Yes, they’re made from plastic. But a quality one can be used for 6 to 15 years. Love the woodsy notes of a live tree? Another option is to go small and choose a potted tree. From spruces to pines, dozens of retailers offer small potted evergreens you can decorate for the holidays and use as a houseplant in your home all year long.
If you love the tradition of picking out the perfect Christmas tree, look into tree rental services. Oftentimes, these will be large potted trees you’ll pick out via a catalogue that will then be delivered to your home. At the end of the season, the tree is taken back to the farm to be repotted and cared for until next year. Or, if you do visit a traditional tree farm, make sure the tree is composted, recycled, or repurposed — not simply discarded.
Gift Donations
Donations are an excellent gift option. You can make a donation in your giftee’s name to an organization or cause they’re passionate about. That’s where the joy is found.
Is your father a bird lover or an amateur bird watcher? Give him a membership to the Audubon Society, where a yearly donation will go towards initiatives to protect endangered bird species. International organizations like UNICEF accept donations to help deliver necessities to children in war-impacted areas such as Ukraine and Gaza, and make great gifts for the teachers in your family or friendship circles.
Wrap beautifully — and sustainably
Christmas Furoshiki Gift Wrap $7
Furoshiki is a traditional Japanese wrapping cloth used for gifting that can be reused again and again. To wrap gifts, place the item in the center and bring the opposite corners together, tying knots over the item. Tuck the ends for a neat finish.
Millions of pounds of wrapping paper are thrown out during the Holiday season. Not only is wrapping paper single-use, but oftentimes it’s coated in plastic for a shiny or sparkly finish. This season, skip the single-use plastic and wrap your gifts in fabric, kraft paper, reusable boxes, and twine to elevate your presentation. Play with bow styles, textures, and natural elements (twigs, berries, firs), to make your gift feel even more luxurious than glittery plastic wrapping paper .
Embrace the idea of “just enough”
More isn’t always better. Allow yourself to edit: fewer decorations, fewer commitments, fewer expectations. A pared-back approach creates calm, beauty, and presence — the things we’re really craving during the holidays.
Be intentional with your holiday meal
Whole Foods Christmas meals $159-499
Indulge in the tastes of the season, not the stress. Unsure of what to cook, choose a meal delivery service that will do the heavy lifting for you with delectable holiday meals delivered to you or available for pickup.
The kitchen is the heart of a holiday get-together. This year, mingle your luscious meat dishes with fruits and veggies in warm spiced blends. Imagine a spread of roasted whole carrots or diced sweet potatoes drizzled with cinnamon, cardamom, and honey. Get creative with stuffed squash, a vibrant, winter salad bursting with the juiciness of pomegranate, and of course, fresh homemade cranberry sauce.
Holiday cooking doesn’t need to be excessively dependent on meat and dairy to feel indulgent. Vegetables and fruits can be just as flavorful and delightful. And, the planet will be better for it, too. Studies show that plant-based diets contribute to as much as 75% fewer emissions and less water pollution than their meat-based counterparts. Even mixing in one or two plant-based meals will make an impact. The goal is to eat, drink, and be merry, blending in your traditional recipes with fresh new ones.
Support makers who prioritize doing good
When buying new items, look for artisans, small businesses, and brands committed to ethical production. Read their stories to learn about their materials, factories, and certifications. Plus, you’re bound to touch the heart of your giftee with the added depth and intention to your holiday choices.
Opt for reusable tableware
Tannenbaum Holly Napkin Sets are made from 85% cotton and 15% linen. $48
Choose place settings that you can wash, reuse, and enjoy forever, versus disposable items that become trash after one use, to embrace a green holiday.
Cloth napkins, ceramic plates, and real silverware transform the holiday table into something that feels indulgent — and they eliminate a surprising amount of waste. Choose linens and pieces you’re excited to bring out year after year.
Sustainability doesn’t take the shine out of Christmas — it refines it. When you simplify, choose consciously, and prioritize connection, the season begins to feel like a breath rather than a blur. And the beauty is that these choices don’t just lighten your environmental footprint; they make your holiday richer, calmer, and far more meaningful.