It’s easy to get swept away by the pressure to over-consume during the holiday season. An eco-friendly Christmas is not always top of mind but with a little planning, it’s pretty easy to stay “green” this time of year. Below I listed my favorite ways to strive for an eco-friendly Christmas holiday when throwing parties, decorating your home and tree, and purchasing gifts.
PARTIES
- Turn down the heat before guests arrive – warm bodies will heat up the space naturally and you will save energy
- Keep to-go containers on hand to send guests home with leftovers to reduce food waste
- Use cloth napkins instead of paper – re-usable AND fancier table presentation
DECORATIONS
- Shop used! Look at second hand stores for your holiday decorations. The best time to do this is immediately after the holiday season to prepare for the following year – this is also a great way to save money!
- Use smaller LED lights, they require less energy and they’re more durable
TREE
- There are strong debates about whether a real or fake Christmas tree is more eco friendly, but the ultimate option is using a living tree already in your home. This year we wrapped Christmas lights around our house plants instead!
- Buy used ornaments – flea markets often have vendors selling awesome antique ornaments (my mother in law is fantastic at collecting these!)
- Use compostable decorations – stringing popcorn and creating gingerbread or dried citrus slice ornaments are great alternatives to plastic tinsel or store bought ornaments
GIFTS
- Buy used whenever possible
- Gift experiences instead of “things”
- Bring your own bags when shopping for gifts
- Be mindful of shipping waste (this is something I can definitely improve on!) shopping in stores can reduce excessive packaging and fuel waste
- Use recycled wrapping paper

Kait is the founder and editor of A Clean Bee. She is passionate about discovering natural, eco-friendly, and sustainable ways to clean and organize her home. Kait has been featured in online publications such as NBC News, Oprah Magazine, BuzzFeed and PopSugar for her expertise in natural cleaning techniques. She enjoys spending her off-time outside in her garden with her husband and their two small boys.