An Eco-Friendly Holiday Guide: 5 Simple Tips for a Greener Season

While anticipation grows for holiday celebrations, you’re probably planning festivities, gifts, and time with loved ones. But you might also be looking to make more sustainable choices during a season known for high waste, like piles of discarded gift wrapping and single-use decorations.

Good news! We’ve compiled five eco-friendly holiday tips to make your season more sustainable. With a few easy tweaks and swaps, you can savor the joy and togetherness of the season, minus the carbon footprint. Here’s our guide to celebrating with environmentally friendly holiday wrapping, eco-conscious holiday gifts, and more ways to keep your festivities green.

1. Planet-Friendly Presents

Gift-giving is at the heart of holiday celebrations, but it’s also a huge source of waste. Just think of the last time you unwrapped a gift only to be left with piles of paper, plastic, and packaging. Choosing eco-conscious holiday gifts can make a big difference.

Experiential Gifts: Instead of buying things, why not gift experiences? A massage session, a gift card for a spa day, or a reservation at a local restaurant is meaningful without the clutter. Experiential gifts often come with reduced material waste while giving the recipient an opportunity to relax or make memories.

Handmade and Local: Supporting local artisans is a great way to give unique gifts. Look around town for locally-made items like candles, handmade soaps, or pottery. Many small businesses use recycled materials and less single-use packaging. Plus, you’re contributing to the community by shopping local. Think of it as a gift to the planet and your neighborhood.

Eco-Friendly Product Sets: When gifting beauty or wellness items, choose products made from natural ingredients and eco-friendly packaging. We offer Aveda’s cruelty-free, plant-based products in our online store—a perfect gift for the wellness enthusiasts in your life.

2. It’s a Wrap On Waste! Environmentally Friendly Holiday Wrapping Ideas

Traditional wrapping paper is often not recyclable due to glitter, foil, and dyes. Thankfully, there are many environmentally friendly holiday wrapping alternatives that also create a unique, rustic touch.

Reusable Fabric Wraps: Inspired by the Japanese art of furoshiki, fabric wrapping can turn any scarf, tea towel, or scrap fabric into a reusable gift wrap. Recipients can then reuse it in their home or pass it on with another gift. It’s beautiful, eco-friendly, and functional—a win-win!

Kraft Paper and Natural Decor: If you love the look of paper wrapping, kraft paper is a great option. Known for its durability and cardboard look, it’s both biodegradable and recyclable. Decorated with sprigs of pine, dried orange slices, or a cinnamon stick, it takes on an earthy, seasonal look.

Repurposed Materials: Use what you already have! Old maps, magazine pages, and newspaper comics make quirky, personalized gift wraps. Top it off with twine instead of plastic ribbon for a completely recyclable package.

Plantable Gift Tags: Take gift tags up a notch with seed paper that can be planted after the gift is opened. It’s a simple way to add a little “green” to your gift-giving, literally. Seed paper tags are made from biodegradable paper with embedded seeds, which means your recipient can plant them in their garden come spring.

3. Deck Your Halls with Sustainable Decorations

We all love a festive home, but plastic decorations end up in landfills once they’ve lost their shine. Instead, try these sustainable alternatives that are just as beautiful but more earth-friendly.

DIY Natural Ornaments: Pinecones, dried fruit, and cinnamon sticks are natural ornaments that add a warm, organic feel to your holiday decor. Stringing popcorn and cranberries adds vintage holiday charm and makes for a fun seasonal activity. Unlike their plastic counterparts, these materials break down naturally when the season is over.

LED Lights: If you’re stringing lights on the tree, consider LED lights, which are more energy-efficient and last longer than traditional bulbs. This small swap can save a surprising amount of energy over time and help lower your holiday power bill.

Live or Potted Christmas Tree: Consider a potted tree that you can replant after the holidays! Unlike artificial trees, a live tree can continue growing, and many nurseries even rent potted trees for the season. If you prefer a cut tree, check out local recycling programs that turn old trees into mulch or repurpose them in other ways.

4. Party Smarter, Waste Less

Holiday gatherings can easily lead to trash cans full of single-use waste. Here’s how to keep things festive and sustainable.

Plan Mindful Portions: Over-preparing food is easy during the holidays, but mindful planning can cut down on food waste. Estimate portions based on your guest list and, if you do have leftovers, send guests home with food in reusable containers or compost what you can.

Compostable or Recyclable Serveware: If you must go the disposable route, opt for compostable or recyclable serveware. Look for options made from bamboo, palm leaves, or recycled paper that break down easily and don’t harm the environment.

Eco-Friendly Candles and Scents: Holiday scents can bring warmth to any gathering, but be mindful of what’s in the air. Choose eco-friendly candles made from soy or beeswax, which are more sustainable and release fewer toxins than traditional paraffin candles. For a cozy, natural scent, try simmering spices like cinnamon sticks, cloves, and oranges on the stove.

5. Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle After the Holidays

After the gifts are opened and the feasts are finished, recycle or repurpose the leftovers. If you used eco-conscious holiday gifts and environmentally friendly holiday wrapping, cleanup should be easy!

Recycle Gift Wrap: Gather any recyclable wrapping paper, kraft paper, and cardboard to put in your recycling bin. Double-check your city’s recycling guidelines for specific instructions on what can be recycled.

Compost Natural Decor: If you used natural materials for decor, compost them after the season. Pine branches, dried fruit, and twine all make great additions to a compost pile.

Store Decorations for Next Year: Carefully pack reusable decorations and gift bags for next year’s festivities. Reusing items not only reduces waste but also saves you money.

With these eco-friendly holiday tips, you can celebrate in a way that’s mindful, meaningful, and still full of joy. As we look forward to another festive season, let’s make each moment count for ourselves and the planet.

Happy Holidays at Canyon River Spa

When all is said and done, it’s the memories we most cherish. If you’re racking your brain for gift ideas that bring joy, relaxation, and bright memories, consider a Canyon River Spa gift card. Your loved one can book a spa package, a pampering day at the salon, or enjoy a much-needed massage.