Christmas is one of our favourite times of year: the food, the cosy evenings together, and of course: the decorations! We both love the colour and the lights at Christmas time, bringing those dark nights alive. But with a love for sustainability too, how can we both enjoy Christmas without damaging the planet? That’s when we started to get creative and came up with these 7 ways you can decorate for a sustainable Christmas!
1. Make your own wreath using natural materials
A wreath is a Christmas classic, and so much fun to make yourself. Use what you have for the frame, such as some metal wire or an old metal hanger. You could even buy a second hand one to use. Then simply forage for some natural foliage to use to create your wreath, and attach with wire or twine. The possibilities are endless, so have fun making your own wreath!
2. Hang up some mistletoe
This is such a simple one, and who doesn’t love mistletoe? Mistletoe actually grows on other trees and is more common than you think. Have you ever seen those bird nest looking type things in trees but aren’t dense enough to be a nest? That’s mistletoe! You can often find low hanging mistletoe or even some that has fallen down onto the floor. Have fun trying to hunt it down! Alternatively use a different type of foliage as your mistletoe if you can’t find any.
3. Decorate your table using natural materials and items you already own
If you already own Christmas decor for your table, by all means, keep using it! But you could use items you already own that may not be typically Christmassy. However, paired with some Christmas foliage such as pine branches or holly, it can bring the whole look together and create a unique display!
4. Buy or hire a real, living tree
Buying or hiring a real, living tree is such a fantastic sustainable option for your tree. Having a tree still in its pot means you can bring it in again year after year. Alternatively, if you have the space, you could even plant it in your garden. You could get a new tree every year and enjoy past Christmas trees in your garden. Just make sure the tree has light and you water it every day. The tree does best when not kept in a really warm part of the house. Be gentle with returning it back outside as well. Try to adjust it back to a cooler temperature before just putting it out in the freezing cold! However, if you don’t have the space to keep it after Christmas, there are also companies that can hire out a real tree to you.
5. Decorate with dehydrated oranges for a sustainable Christmas
A sustainable decor classic, dehydrated oranges are such fun to make and last for years. Simply slice oranges up, put in your dehydrator or oven on a low temperature, turning often until dry. Be careful not to burn! Alternatively, you could put them on a radiator to dry out as well to save on energy.
6. Create compostable fake snow for pine cones and foraged foliage
Creating fake snow for pine cones and other foliage is so much fun, a great activity to do with little ones. First make your glue – mix one part flour with one part water. Coat it onto your pine cones or holly, or whatever it is you would like to have that snowy effect. Then simply sprinkle salt or sugar on the glue and allow to dry overnight. You will have the most perfect looking snow! Once Christmas is over, you can simply compost the decorations easily if you do not want to keep them.
7. Make twig and twine stars for a sustainable Christmas
Another simple but effective decoration is twig and twine stars! Pick up some straight twigs and form a star shape, then tie the twine around the places where the twigs overlap. It can be a little fiddly at first, but once you get the hang of it is an easy decoration. It looks so beautifully rustic and we love them on our tree!
How are you decorating for your sustainable Christmas? Are you doing anything unique?