The holidays can be expensive and you can be left with a ton of waste to throw out. Here are some tips to avoid the wastefulness and make the best of this holiday season.
1. Use Recycled Christmas Cards or Scrap Ribbons to Make Decorations
Christmas cards are often made of beautiful paper. They can be cut into different shapes to make various decorations. Strips of the cards can be looped to create a paper chain garland. By cutting the cards into holly leaves, you can glue them together to form a Christmas wreath.
Pieces of ribbon that are too short to make bows or tie around gifts can be recycled into Christmas ornaments or other decorations. Tying short scraps of ribbon to a small stick and making a loop at the top can turn into a small but beautiful decoration. This can hang from a tree or from the mantle.
2. Use Recyclable Wrapping Paper
Wrap your gifts this year using sustainable materials. Brown paper or other eco-friendly wrapping paper are the best options. Bonus points if you save the wrapping paper and reuse it next year!
3. Choosing a Tree Sustainably
The first choice you have to make is whether you want a real or artificial Christmas tree.
If you prefer a real tree for the holidays, be sure to pick one out that is sourced sustainably. When the holiday season comes to a close, follow the proper procedures to dispose of your tree responsibly.
If an artificial tree is more your style, take your time shopping around for the best tree. Try to find one that is good quality enough to last for many holiday seasons to come.
4. Carpool Home for the Holidays
Reduce your carbon footprint if usually drive a long distance home for the holidays. Opt to share your ride home with a friend or relative going in the same direction.
5. Shop for Gifts that Will Last
Even the gifts you buy can be sustainable. Put thought into every gift you buy and consider what your loved one will keep through the years. If you come across something that may or may not end up being thrown out, opt for a different gift.
6. Make the Right Amount of Food for Dinner
Plan your Christmas dinner portions around the amount of people that will be in attendance. Freeze any leftovers that you will not eat in the next couple of days. Compost anything you might need to throw away including cooking scraps.