The holiday season is a time of joy, celebration, and togetherness, but it can also come with a significant environmental footprint. From the decorations we choose to the way we prepare and clean our homes, every decision contributes to the season's impact on our planet. Fortunately, with a little creativity and the right products, you can create a magical holiday atmosphere that’s both beautiful and sustainable. In this guide, we’ll explore eco-friendly holiday decor ideas using upcycled, natural, or sustainable materials, paired with cleaning hacks featuring Averdant’s range of environmentally safe products.
Sustainable Holiday Decorating: Beauty Meets Responsibility
1. Upcycled Holiday Decor: Transform What You Have
Before buying new decorations, look around your home for items that can be repurposed into festive decor.
Old Jars as Candle Holders: Empty glass jars can become charming candle holders. Wrap them with twine or lace, fill them with tea lights, and add sprigs of rosemary or cinnamon sticks for a seasonal touch.
Wine Cork Garlands: Save corks from holiday gatherings and string them together to create rustic garlands. Add beads or dried cranberries for colour.
Fabric Scraps as Ornaments: Repurpose old fabric or clothes into ornaments. Sew or glue scraps into shapes like stars or hearts, adding a touch of nostalgia to your tree.
2. Natural Decor: Bring the Outdoors In
Nature offers endless inspiration for holiday decorations that are biodegradable and beautiful.
Foraged Greenery: Gather pinecones, eucalyptus leaves, and branches from your garden or a nearby park. Arrange them as centrepieces or wreaths.
Citrus Ornaments: Slice oranges and dry them in the oven for fragrant and colourful tree ornaments. Use twine to hang them or add them to garlands.
Homemade Potpourri: Combine dried flowers, orange peels, cloves, and cinnamon sticks in bowls for a natural way to fragrance your home.
3. Sustainable Lighting: Choose LEDs and Candles
Replace traditional string lights with energy-efficient LED options to reduce power consumption. For a cosy, warm ambiance, choose eco-friendly soy or beeswax candles, which are biodegradable and free from harmful chemicals.
4. Wrapping With a Conscience
Gift wrap can be one of the most wasteful aspects of the holidays. Try these eco-friendly alternatives:
Fabric Wraps: Use scarves or fabric squares as reusable wrapping. This technique, inspired by the Japanese art of furoshiki, doubles as part of the gift.
Recycled Paper: Brown kraft paper can be decorated with stamps or painted designs for a rustic look.
Nature-Inspired Embellishments: Top gifts with sprigs of rosemary, twine, or dried citrus slices instead of plastic bows.
5. DIY Advent Calendars
Instead of buying store-bought advent calendars filled with single-use plastic items, create a reusable version.
Use small fabric pouches, envelopes, or jars to hold treats or activities.
Display them on a foraged branch or in a wooden box for a rustic, festive look.
6. Swap Plastic for Wood or Metal Decorations
Choose decorations made from sustainable materials like wood, metal, or ceramic. These can be reused year after year, reducing waste and adding timeless charm to your decor.
Look for locally crafted ornaments to support small businesses and minimise shipping-related emissions.7. Edible Decor
Combine beauty with functionality by incorporating edible elements into your holiday decor.
Hang candy canes, cookies, or gingerbread ornaments on the tree.
Create a garland using popcorn, dried fruits, or cranberries. Not only are these decorations fun, but they’re also compostable or consumable after the holidays.
8. Choose a Sustainable Christmas Tree
Choosing a Christmas tree that’s kind to the environment can make your holiday season both festive and eco-friendly.
Choose a native tree or shrub from your local nursery that can be planted after the holidays or kept in a large pot to use again in the future.
If you prefer an artificial tree, invest in a high-quality one that will last for many years.
9. Give Thoughtful, Sustainable Gifts
This holiday season, make your gifts meaningful and eco-friendly by choosing options that prioritise sustainability and thoughtfulness. From locally crafted items to experience-based presents, thoughtful gifting can reduce waste while showing plenty of love.
Select gifts made from eco-friendly, recycled, or upcycled materials.
Consider gifting experiences (e.g., tickets to an event, a cooking class) instead of physical items.
Support local artisans or small businesses to reduce the carbon footprint of shipping.
10. Minimise Food Waste
The holiday season often leads to an abundance of food, but with careful planning and creative reuse, you can celebrate without contributing to unnecessary waste. By minimising food waste, you’ll not only save money but also reduce your environmental impact.
Plan meals carefully to avoid over-purchasing.
Get creative with leftovers by repurposing them into new dishes.
Compost food scraps instead of sending them to the landfill.
Prepping Your Holiday Space: Eco-Friendly Cleaning Hacks
Before you start decorating, a clean slate is essential. But cleaning doesn’t have to mean harsh chemicals and toxic fumes. Averdant’s eco-friendly, 100% natural cleaning products make it easy to prep your space sustainably.
1. Start Fresh With Averdant’s Everyday Cleaner
Dusting and wiping down surfaces is the first step to creating a festive home. Averdant’s Everyday Cleaner with Orange Blossom and Tangerine is a powerful yet gentle solution for cleaning countertops, tables, and shelves. Its natural ingredients leave surfaces spotless without harming the environment, and the fresh citrus scent adds an uplifting holiday vibe.
Tip: Use reusable microfiber cloths instead of disposable wipes to further reduce waste.
2. Focus on High-Traffic Areas
Pay special attention to areas where guests will gather, such as the living room and kitchen.
For fabrics and soft furnishings, refresh them with Averdant’s Aromatherapy Room and Linen Spray in Lavender and Sweet Orange. This product not only sanitises but also infuses your space with a calming fragrance perfect for holiday gatherings.
For carpets and rugs, sprinkle a mixture of baking soda and essential oils or our aromatherapy sprays, then vacuum to lift odours naturally.
3. Tackle Meal Prep With Averdant’s Fruit and Vegetable Wash
The holiday season means plenty of cooking and entertaining. Before you start preparing festive snacks and meals, ensure your produce is clean and safe with Averdant’s Fruit and Vegetable Wash. This eco-friendly product effectively removes dirt, wax, and pesticides without leaving harmful residues, ensuring your holiday treats are both delicious and safe.
4. Keep Hands Clean Without Drying Out Skin
Holiday gatherings often involve frequent handwashing. Averdant’s Alcohol-Free Foaming Hand Sanitiser is a gentle, travel-friendly solution that’s safe for the whole family. Non-drying and free from harsh chemicals, it’s ideal for keeping hands clean and soft during the festive season.
Maintaining the Holiday Spirit: Post-Decorating Cleanup
Decorating can leave behind a trail of glitter, pine needles, and other messes. Here’s how to tidy up sustainably:
1. Glitter-Free Alternatives
If you’ve used glitter in your decor, be mindful of its environmental impact. Switch to biodegradable glitter or avoid it altogether. For accidental spills, sweep up as much as possible with a damp cloth.
2. Tidy As You Go
Clean up small messes as you decorate to avoid overwhelming tasks later. A quick spray of Averdant’s Everyday Multipurpose Cleaner on tabletops or furniture will keep your space sparkling.
3. Freshen Up the Air Naturally
Forget synthetic air fresheners. Averdant’s Aromatherapy Room and Linen Spray in Eucalyptus and Mint is a natural way to refresh the air. Spray it in your bathroom, guest rooms, or even your car for an instant festive boost.
5. Eco-Friendly Floor Care
Floors often bear the brunt of holiday messes. Sweep hardwood and tile floors with a microfiber broom or vacuum. For a deeper clean, mop using a natural cleaning solution:
Mix warm water with a splash of vinegar and a few drops of essential oil for an easy DIY floor cleaner. Alternatively, use Averdant’s Everyday Cleaner with Orange Blossom and Tangerine diluted in water for a refreshing and effective solution.6. Quick Cleanup for Holiday Spills
The holidays are notorious for accidental spills of wine, coffee, or holiday treats.
Blot stains immediately and treat with a mixture of baking soda and water.
For tough spots on surfaces, Averdant’s Everyday Cleaner can effectively remove residue without harsh chemicals.
7. Maintain a Guest-Ready Bathroom
A clean bathroom is essential for hosting. Use Averdant’s Aromatherapy Room and Linen Sprays to refresh the space between uses. Keep a bottle of Averdant’s Alcohol-Free Foaming Hand Sanitiser in the bathroom for guest use, ensuring hygiene while being gentle on the skin.
Celebrate the Holidays With Conscious Living
The holidays are a time for joy, but they don’t have to come at the planet’s expense. By choosing sustainable decorations and eco-friendly cleaning products like Averdant’s, you can create a warm, inviting space that aligns with your values.
This season, make every moment—from decorating to cleaning—an opportunity to care for your home, your loved ones, and the environment. With thoughtful choices and a little creativity, you can deck the halls sustainably and inspire others to do the same.
Happy eco-friendly holidays from all of us at Averdant!