How to Have a Low-Waste Christmas: Celebrate Sustainably This Holiday Season
The holiday season is a time for joy and celebration, but it’s also one of the most wasteful times of the year. From excess packaging and single-use decorations to food waste, Christmas can leave a surprisingly large environmental footprint.
In many countries, household waste jumps by 25–30% as people overbuy, wrap gifts, and throw away decorations and food. For example, the UK discards tens of thousands of tonnes of wrapping paper and packaging each Christmas, while Canadian households throw out hundreds of thousands of tonnes of gift bags and wrapping materials. Real Christmas trees, when sent to landfills, contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, and over-purchased holiday food adds even more waste. Most of the wrapping paper and decorations we use can’t be recycled and often contain plastics or glitter that harm the environment. Even producing these items consumes energy and raw materials, contributing to carbon emissions. Altogether, the festive season creates a significant environmental footprint, highlighting why sustainable alternatives are so important.
Fortunately, with a few simple changes, you can enjoy a festive holiday while keeping waste to a minimum.
What You Can Do
1. Rethink Gift Giving
Gifts are at the heart of the holidays but they don’t have to come with mountains of packaging. Consider things like:
Experiences over things: Concert tickets, cooking classes, or a family outing create memories instead of clutter.
Handmade or DIY gifts: Knitted scarves, homemade candles, or baked goods are personal and eco-friendly.
Secondhand treasures: Thrifted toys, books, and vintage items can be just as special as new ones!
Here are some other great gift ideas for kids!
2. Wrap Smarter
Traditional wrapping paper often isn’t recyclable, and ribbons, bows, and glittered paper are usually single-use. Try:
Reusable wrapping: Cloth gift bags, scarves, or decorative boxes that can be used year after year.
Eco-friendly paper: Recycled kraft paper or newspaper with twine adds charm without the waste.
Get creative: Old maps, sheet music, or even kids’ artwork make unique and sustainable wrapping options.
We even have a full blog post about eco-friendly ways to wrap gifts!
3. Choose Sustainable Decorations
Decorations can create holiday cheer but they don’t have to pile up in the landfill. Here are some alternatives instead:
Natural decorations: Pinecones, branches, or dried oranges look beautiful and are compostable.
LED lights: Energy-efficient lights use less electricity and last longer.
Avoid single-use items: Skip disposable tinsel, plastic confetti, and balloons.
DIY decorations: Get your craft on and make you own decorations with recycled cardboard and newspaper. You can even make this a family activity!
Here’s a fun DIY Christmas tree you can create as a family.
4. Plan for Low-Waste Meals
Food waste is a big part of holiday waste. To reduce it:
Shop wisely: Plan meals to avoid overbuying, and choose local, seasonal ingredients when possible.
Compost scraps: Save vegetable peels, egg shells, and coffee grounds for composting.
Store leftovers creatively: Turn extra food into soups, casseroles, or snacks for later.
Here’s a favourite stuffed pepper recipe we love to make with out leftovers!
5. Reduce Travel and Packaging Waste
Eco-friendly shipping: Combine deliveries, choose minimal packaging, and support sustainable shipping options.
Shop local: Supporting local shops and artisans is a simple way to reduce holiday waste and support your community.
Travel sustainably: Walk, bike, or carpool when possible to reduce emissions.
You can read about some of our favourite local Vancouver brands we love to visit.
A low-waste Christmas doesn’t mean sacrificing all the fun, it just means celebrating thoughtfully. By choosing eco-friendly gifts, wrapping, decorations, and meals, you can enjoy the magic of the season while protecting the planet. This holiday, focus on experiences and conscious choices, get a little creative, and make sustainability part of your festive tradition.
Celebrate consciously, give mindfully, and make this Christmas merry and low waste!