As the holiday season approaches, many of us are excited to transform our homes with festive decorations. But what if you could make your holiday setup beautiful, budget-friendly, and eco-conscious? Embracing sustainable Christmas decor doesn’t mean sacrificing style—it simply means getting creative with eco-friendly alternatives that add charm and character to your celebrations. Let’s explore some ideas to get you inspired!
10 Sustainable Christmas Decorations and Eco-Friendly Gifting Alternatives
Here are ten inspiring sustainable Christmas decor ideas to bring cheer while being kind to the planet.
1. Reusable or Biodegradable Decorations
When choosing sustainable Christmas decor, look for items that are either reusable or made from biodegradable materials like wood, paper, or natural fibers. This helps reduce waste and ensures you’ll enjoy them year after year.
- Ideas:
- Try handmade paper, wood, or fabric decorations instead of plastic ornaments.
- Garlands or wreaths made from dried orange slices, popcorn, or cinnamon sticks add a festive yet eco-friendly touch to your home.
2. Eco-Friendly Gift Wrapping Alternatives
Traditional wrapping paper can be difficult to recycle, but eco-friendly wrapping ideas add both beauty and sustainability to your gifts.
Sustainable Wrapping Paper Swaps:
- Use brown kraft paper, newspaper, or even old maps for a vintage look.
- For a cozy touch, wrap gifts in scarves or fabric scraps.
- Finish your gifts with twine or a sprig of evergreen for a rustic, festive presentation.
Eco-Friendly Gift Baskets:
- Thrifted baskets make beautiful reusable gift containers. Decorate baskets with twine, holly, or a bit of ribbon, and fill them with wrapped gifts or holiday treats for a charming, rustic look under the tree.
- Shredded brown paper bags or packing fill makes excellent filler for gift boxes. Simply cut or shred brown paper bags to use as rustic, recycled filling in boxes or gift baskets.
3. Thrifted and Vintage Finds as Sustainable Christmas Decor
Thrift stores are incredible places to find unique pieces that make excellent sustainable Christmas decor. Upcycling vintage items not only reduces waste but also adds one-of-a-kind charm to your holiday decorations.
- Ideas:
- Look for vintage glassware, plates, or candle holders to add some vintage elegance to your decor.
- Transform old picture frames with paint, or ribbon for an eye-catching decoration.
4. Upcycled Candle Decor for a Cozy, Eco-Friendly Ambience
Candles add warmth and charm to any holiday setting, but constantly buying new ones can add up quickly. Instead, consider upcycling old candle jars or creating your own DIY candles in reused containers for a truly sustainable Christmas decor idea.
- DIY Crystal Jar Candles: If you have a collection of old crystal jars or thrifted glassware, transform them into beautiful DIY candles. Simply melt wax, add your favorite essential oils, and pour the mixture into your cleaned crystal jars. Once set, these elegant candles can add a beautiful touch to your holiday decor or make wonderful, unique gifts.
Learn how to DIY Crystal jar candles like those pictured above as a sustainable Christmas decor addition. - Refilling Old Candle Jars: Instead of tossing out old candle jars from brands like Bath & Body Works, clean them out and refill them with fresh wax and a wick. This way, you keep the jars out of the landfill while refreshing your holiday ambiance with a fragrance of your choice.
5. Natural Centerpieces for Sustainable Christmas Table Decor
For a holiday table centerpiece that’s both beautiful and eco-friendly, incorporate natural elements from your yard or local area.
- Ideas:
- Gather pinecones, branches, or dried leaves, and arrange them in a bowl or vase.
- Add dried citrus slices or cinnamon sticks for a pop of color and fragrance.
These centerpieces are sustainable, compostable, and effortlessly festive.
6. Upcycled Christmas Tree Ornaments
Instead of buying new ornaments, consider repurposing items you already have at home for a sustainable and personalized Christmas tree.
- Upcycled ornament DIY ideas:
- Turn small jars into glittery candle holders
- use mason jar lids as frames for photos or fabric ornaments.
- Old jewelry, beads, and fabric scraps can be used to create unique and meaningful tree ornaments.
7. DIY Holiday Village and Elegant Displays with Glass Jars
Use a collection of glass jars and bottles to create various holiday displays. These versatile items can be repurposed into a glowing holiday village or as chic vases and candle holders. Grab these gorgeous printable holiday village stencils from Ella Claire Inspired!
- Holiday Village: Paint the bottoms of glass jars white, add holiday decals if desired, and place a tea light in each to create a softly glowing village scene.
- Elegant Displays: Glass bottles can be upcycled as vases or candle holders by wrapping them in twine or giving them a quick coat of spray paint. Fill them with greenery, holly, or taper candles for a chic, sustainable decoration.
8. Sustainable Upcycled Christmas Decorations
Pretty much anything you’d consider tossing in the trash or recycle bin can be repurposed into something beautiful. Here are just a few ideas of how you can transform everyday items into upcyced sustainble Christmas decorations.
- DIY Fabric Garland: Use old fabric scraps to create a colorful, sustainable garland for your tree or mantle. This simple DIY adds a cozy, rustic touch to your sustainable Christmas decor.
- Scrap fabric Christmas stockings: Got old jeans lying around? Of course you do! With some basic sewing skills (or a trusty hot glue gun!) you can turn them into adorable upcycled Christmas stockings.
- Toliet Paper Roll Advent Calendar: Now, I know you’ve got toilet paper rolls. All you need to do is remember to collect them! Then, turn them into the sweetest little toilet paper roll advent calendar anyone would be proud to display!
9. Nature-Inspired Christmas Wall Decor
For a fresh take on holiday wall decor, embrace nature-inspired pieces like dried wreaths, hanging branches, or natural ornaments that can be composted after the season.
- DIY Wall Decor Ideas:
- Make a holiday wreath with dried herbs, pinecones, or evergreen branches.
- Hang a branch or wreath on your wall and decorate it with dried flowers, small ornaments, or even pinecones for a rustic, earth-inspired decoration that celebrates the season.
10. Eco-Friendly Holiday Scents
Add natural holiday scents to your space using simmer pots or DIY essential oil sprays, keeping your home fresh and festive without synthetic air fresheners.
- Simmer Pots: Add orange peels, cinnamon sticks, and cloves to a pot of water, letting it simmer to release seasonal scents.
- DIY Essential Oil Spray: Combine essential oils like pine, cinnamon, and orange with water in a spray bottle for an all-natural holiday room spray that’s perfect for refreshing linens, too.
Sustainable Christmas decor isn’t just about protecting the planet; it’s a way to celebrate the holidays with intention and creativity. By incorporating reusable, thrifted, and natural items, you’re crafting a festive atmosphere that’s both beautiful and kind to the Earth. Try these sustainable Christmas decor ideas this year to spread holiday cheer in a way that’s uniquely you and wonderfully green.