Eco-Friendly Christmas Decorations For The Home
The tree is the centre of the house at Christmas. Though trees are often seen as the most eco-friendly Christmas decorations, this is not always the case.
Many trees are grown intensively in time for the festive season, cut, then thrown out a few weeks later, just for the process to be repeated the next year! A much more sustainable option is to buy a Christmas tree in a pot.
What you may compromise in size, you’ll make up for in longevity. Trees can live for years in pots and can be taken into the garden after Christmas and brought back in year after year.
Another Yuletide favourite in many households is tinsel. The shiny strings catch the light and are great for setting spirits alight, but at the end of its life tinsel ends up in the bin.
It’s easy to make your own Christmas decorations and tinsel alternatives from hemp string and pine cones or paper snowflakes and wooden beads; all of which can be recycled or reused next year.
A minimalist Christmas needn’t be boring either. In fact, it can feel even more special as all your decorations will be carefully placed and made with love.
Zero-Waste Tree Decorations
Now you’ve got your zero-waste Christmas tree, it’s time to decorate it!
Homemade cookies tied up with string are a wonderful way to decorate the tree and you know there will be no waste when it comes to teatime on Christmas day. Plus, baking your own stars and candy canes is a great way of getting cheap Christmas decorations without compromising on style.
Another beautiful eco-friendly tree decoration is to use cinnamon sticks and dried orange rounds. The colour of the oranges and the smell of the cinnamon creates the perfect Christmas combo.
If you’re looking for a touch of class, handmade glass baubles will add elegance and style to your Christmas decorations. Adopt a minimalist approach and hang a few well-placed baubles on your tree for a simply stunning finish.
Plastic-Free Christmas Party Decorations
If you’re planning a Christmas blowout and you’re looking to create your very own winter wonderland, then you don’t need to reach for the fake snow and plastic icicles. One plastic-free Christmas decoration idea is to use paper pompoms. Reusable and recyclable, paper pompoms are a great option to create that winter wow factor at your party.
For a more intimate occasion, nothing beats the glow of a fire on a cold and frosty evening. But you don’t have to have a fireplace fit for Santa. Natural and soy wax candles will give your house a cozy glow.These candles are free from nasties that can irritate your guests and will burn longer and brighter.
Pick scents of cinnamon, spruce and clove to keep your house smelling of Christmas.
Best Places To Buy Eco-Friendly Christmas Decorations
This year at Hoxton Arches, Zero Waste Goods is hosting London’s first zero-waste Christmas market!
There will be stalls selling ethical and fair trade decorations and gifts – and remember to bring your KeepCup for the mulled wine! If you’re considering going plastic-free this Christmas, then there’s no better place to start.
Christmas markets are a great place to pick up artisan and eco-friendly Christmas decorations. If you’re looking for a Christmas market in East London we’ve created the ultimate guide.
Eco-Friendly Christmas Decorations: Our Top 3 Tips
1. Buy your tree in a pot or from an ethical provider like The Christmas Forest
2. Make your own Christmas decorations out of natural materials and baked goods
3. Buy artisan or handmade decorations from local stores or markets
We hope you have found our guide to a greener Christmas useful!