Holiday Decorating for the Sustainable Home

Ready for all the nostalgia but none of the toxins? We’ve curated our top tips for holiday decorating for a sustainable home. And the best part? It’s surprisingly easy to create a sophisticated holiday concept to usher in the cheer. 

Decor Tip 1: Natural Materials

Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

Always easy and timeless, natural options are a wonderful way to decorate for the holidays. Use clippings from Christmas trees and greenery to decorate around your home. If you’re worried about sap, you can also get clippings from local evergreens. 

Beeswax candles, pinecones, and garlands made from cranberries or dried fruit such as orange slices are iconic holiday decorations and fun to assemble with your loved ones.

Decor Tip 2: Ditch the Disposable Wrapping

Photo by Kira Auf Der Heide on Unsplash

A wonderful swap is to avoid disposable wrapping, which is often unable to be recycled and doesn’t break down easily.

Gift boxes and vintage scarves from second-hand stores are great one-time investments. If you are in need of more traditional wrapping paper, opt for unbleached, natural papers. Use a large roll of butcher or craft paper if you’d like to wrap it for the little ones to rip off their gifts. 

And of course, lovely ribbons or natural twine add an elegant touch without the waste of plastic bows. 

Decor Tip 3: Invest in a Living Christmas Tree

Photo by Mourad Saadi on Unsplash

With our penchant for protecting nature, you can understand why a sustainable tree option would be so important. That’s why we love the idea of investing in a living Christmas tree. This allows you to avoid the waste of a traditionally cut tree and the plastic consumption of a fake one. 

A potted living tree can be moved outside once the holidays are over and moved back inside the following year. Once it becomes too large, you’ll be able to plant it in your yard and start the tradition all over again with a fresh tree. 

House Beautiful has some wonderful tips for caring for your potted Christmas tree. 

To make your home decor sourcing just a little more fun, I’ve curated 5 collections that embody each of the 5 feng shui elements, so you can begin to identify and incorporate each element into your spaces this holiday season and beyond.

Happy Holidays, my friend!