The holiday season of the year is here! Lights twinkling, cozy nights, and all the excitement in the air feel magical. But it is just for humans, not for our earth. Every holiday season ends the same way for most of us: too much trash, things we didn’t really need, and a “wow” moment when the electricity bill arrives.
Going green doesn’t have to suck the fun out of the holidays. It’s actually the opposite. A handful of small adjustments can ease the stress and do something good for the planet at the same time.
Check out these easy-peasy six ways to celebrate your holidays in an eco-friendly way.
1. Give Gifts That Actually Count
Now that I think about it, a lot of gifts don’t last very long in everyday life. I know mine haven’t. Instead of impulse buying, pick gifts that feel personal. Handmade items, local crafts, or even experiences are awesome. They feel personal and create way less waste.
Last year, I gave my small sister a recipe book instead of a Barbie doll. She loved it. And guess what? Zero wrapping paper mountain. Win-win.
A climate activist, Greta Thunberg, has shown through her own lifestyle choices, choosing fewer material items and focusing on meaningful experiences can be one of the most powerful ways to reduce waste and respect our planet. (Source)
2. Decorate Smart (And Still Pretty)
I don’t think anyone needs a brand-new set of decorations every season. What you already own or can reuse differently usually does the job. Another way is to go natural and use things like pinecones, dried oranges, and fabric ribbons look great and don’t add to landfill.
LED lights are another win. They not only reduce your energy bills but also have a longer life with the perfect glow without the guilt. Sustainable decoration is more creative and purposeful as compared to ordinary decoration.
Get the Best Value for Your Device
Compare buyback offers and get paid fast.
3. Don’t Let Food Go to Waste
Holidays and meals make a perfect treat. But multiple dishes result in leftovers becoming waste later. Share extra food with neighbors, freeze what you won’t eat right away, or save leftovers for the next few days.
And if you’ve got peels and scraps left over, compost them. It keeps food out of the trash and actually feels good knowing it’s not going to waste.
Holiday meals generate more food than we can eat. In the U.S. alone, hundreds of millions of pounds of holiday food go to waste, much of it ending up in landfills where it emits methane, a greenhouse gas far more potent than CO₂. (Source)
4. Resell or Recycle Your Old Electronics
Let’s be real: gadgets multiply fast. Phones, tablets, and laptops all end up in drawers collecting dust once we upgrade. And here’s the kicker: many of these devices have materials that are actually harmful if thrown away. Instead of letting them sit there, you can resell or recycle them responsibly.
Electronic waste (or e-waste) has become one of the fastest-growing waste streams in the world, with about 62 million tonnes produced globally in 2022 alone, yet only around 22 % of it is formally recycled. Many old devices contain toxic substances like lead and mercury that can pollute soil and water if thrown in the trash, while also holding valuable precious metals that can be recovered through recycling. World Health Organization+1
Sites like Webuybackelectronics make it super simple. Seriously, it’s one of the easiest green holiday moves you can make.
5. Wrapping That Works
Brightly wrapped gifts look amazing, right? But the thing is that most wrapping paper can’t actually be recycled. Glitter, metallic finishes, plastic coatings… all that stuff means it’s basically trash once it’s unwrapped.
Honestly, I usually just go with reusable gift bags, fabric wraps, or even old newspaper. Yes, I save ribbons from last year… and the year before that. It sounds unnecessary, but they’re still perfectly usable.
6. Limit the Travel
Having friends and family fly or drive in from different places is what makes the holidays feel complete. Still, all that movement comes with a cost. When it’s doable, sharing a ride or cutting down on extra trips helps more than we think. And some years, staying home and calling in is just the better option.
At home, it’s the little stuff. Turning things off, unplugging what you forgot about, and not letting the lights stay on all night. The holiday vibe stays right where it is, just without the extra waste.
