The holiday season can be so much fun, but it can also be stressful and incredibly wasteful if we aren't careful about what we buy and how we decorate our homes and Christmas trees.
Thankfully, it only takes a little effort to use eco-friendly decoration methods to make your home look great without cluttering landfills with plastic junk and stripping the natural world of its resources. Here are some easy tips to help you spruce up your home in an eco-friendly way this Christmas!
Adjust room temperature to lower
One of the most critical steps to take is turning your thermostat down. The Department of Energy says that heating accounts for about half of a home's energy use.
They also say to set your thermostat at 68 degrees Fahrenheit or 20 degrees Celsius. This will result in a 15% savings on heating costs.
Light up candles at night
Lighting up candles at night is one of the easiest ways to create a warm, cosy ambience. Light up a few candles in different areas of your home, such as by your couch or kitchen table.
You can also add a little holiday cheer by tying a ribbon around them with an ornament attached. This makes for a great decoration during the holidays that's also eco-friendly!
Use real trees in moderation (or get an artificial tree)
It's that time of year again! It is time to decorate your home with festive holiday décor. One of the most popular ways people do this is with a real tree. However, there are some drawbacks. For example, trees are expensive, must be watered daily, and can't stay up all year.
Plus, some people (especially those who live in apartments) need more room for a big tree or pot. So what's an eco-conscious person to do?
Avoid wrapping gifts with plastic bags
It's easy to make your gifts look extra particular this holiday season with a bit of creativity. Wrap them in fabric, use wrapping paper with a design you like, or cover them in festive ribbons.
There are so many ways you can wrap a gift without using plastic!
Buy presents made from recycled materials
Consider buying eco-friendly gifts that are made from recycled materials. Not only will you be helping reduce waste, but you'll also be supporting a small business.
You can find many unique items on Etsy or Facebook Marketplace - just make sure they're handmade before you buy!
Turn off the decoration lights during the daytime when you are away from home
Lights are a popular decoration during the holiday season, but they can be one of your home's most wasteful pieces of equipment. When you aren't at home, turn off your lights so they don't continue wasting electricity.
This is especially important if you live in a cold climate where heaters must work overtime to keep your house warm!
Wrap presents in reusable paper instead of wrapping papers that come with a plastic layer
You can spend less money on wrapping paper this holiday season. There are many ways to make your own beautiful wrapping paper at home! You only need some craft paper, scissors, markers, and tape.
Here's how:
- Step 1: Cut out fun shapes like snowflakes, angels, trees, and gingerbread men.
- Step 2: Fill in the shapes with festive colours before folding them half lengthwise to create a long strip about 2 inches wide.
- Step 3: Fold one end over on itself so it's about 1 inch wide. Place the fold vertically on top of your present and wrap tightly around it until you reach the opposite side. Cut off any excess paper from the bottom of your gift.
