You see it in social media ads and billboards — the holidays are right around the corner. Corporations are vying for everyone’s attention, trying to encourage you to spend tons of money and resources to have the best holiday season ever. 

The increasing interest in global environmentalism is spreading awareness of how some holiday traditions lead to wasteful behaviors, contributing to the climate crisis. How can you and your loved ones take the most cozy time of year in a greener direction?

Use Natural Decorations

Whether you’re considering a future Thanksgiving gathering or New Year’s shindig, most decorations households have used for decades are wasteful. They are primarily plastic and made from nonrecyclable materials. 

Many people know of fast fashion, but fast deco is a similar industry making a mark. It entices people to buy trendy pieces annually when families should reuse favorite staples every season. Here are ideas for biodegradable options:

• Carved pumpkins
• Autumn leaf garlands
• Orange slices
• Pinecones
• Wood decorations
• Plant-based candles

Always go to a Christmas tree farm to pick the perfect one? Reconsider this shopping tradition with something better. An artificial tree with eco-conscious materials for reuse is better than chopping one down and not replanting it. You could also consider growing your own or renting a live Christmas tree you can return when you’re done.

Many are also getting creative with virtual decorations, such as projected displays, to avoid creating physical waste. Powering this equipment with renewable energy can be even more impactful.

Be Creative With Leftovers

Each Thanksgiving, around 312 million pounds of food is thrown out in the U.S. Combine this with the winter celebrations, Halloween candy wrappers, New Year’s spreads and countless perfectly good meals going to landfills. The new tradition this year should be to reimagine leftovers with intention.

First, you can start a post-dinner compost collection tradition. Composting is one of the best ways to have a positive impact on the planet, no matter how many leftovers you have. Composting renourishes soils, making soil more resilient against severe weather and encouraging better crop growth. All you have to do is look up a simple list of what to compost, choose your method and toss food scraps into the right place. 

Second, you can set new expectations for visitors. You can request everyone bring reusable containers to take home leftovers. Another great action is to contact local soup kitchens, food banks and shelters before meal prep and see if there is a way you can donate leftovers.

Gift With Purpose

Gift-giving for Christmas, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah and beyond brings so many people joy. You don’t need to get rid of it in the name of sustainability, but try something new with how you package them. Instead of leaning on shopping traditions and buying objects without intention, purchase experiences, do a DIY project from the heart, or create an edible gift. 

Packaging, wrapping paper and cards provide a few seconds of fun and joy until they go into the trash, forgotten in moments. Instead of having a wrapping party with slick, environmentally damaging paper, make handmade cards and use recyclables to keep gifts a secret. Old newspapers and repurposed brown paper from shipping boxes could get a second life here.

Around 67% of Americans consider ecological impacts before buying gifts, but that number needs to increase, if we want to make a greater impact toward sustainability goals. 

Throw an Eco-Conscious Party

Parties are one of the most vibrant parts of the season, but they often include tons of single-use items, like plasticware, plates and cups. Here are a few ideas on how to craft an eco-friendly party to rewrite traditions, no matter how cute the festive disposable plates are:

• Have people bring their own reusable drink containers, like Mason jars. Make it a party activity to decorate and personalize them with low-waste embellishments.
• Challenge guests to wear upcycled or secondhand costumes and festive outfits.
• Establish a sustainable party theme like a plant-based potluck.

To spice things up, you can also incorporate a fun environmental stewardship activity into the festivities. The crisp fall air is perfect for zero-waste activities like apple bobbing or tree planting.

Travel Smart

Worldwide, many people engage in the most travel they do all year during the holidays. While planes are highly resource-consumptive, they may be necessary to get from one point to another. Pick a direct option, if possible. Some booking sites offer insight into the most eco-friendly route using the least fuel.

When traveling domestically, consider public transportation or carpooling to eliminate the need for excess cars. When road-tripping or traveling, try to still recycle food packaging, avoid smoking, use reusable containers and preserve water as much as possible, because the small things add up. 

Rent or Borrow Instead of Buy

Do you really need a new outfit for the holiday party or will the red, sparkly dress from last year be appropriate? Do you need to purchase the newest kitchen appliance to cook a viral recipe or should you stick with what works? 

These questions are essential to ask in holiday prep. It is easy to feel inclined to buy something new when it shouldn’t be habitual — especially if it only gets one or a few uses. Instead, borrow or rent an item, if you want or need something you don’t have. It will overcome toxic fast fashion and e-waste urges.

Choose Local and Plant-Based

While a Thanksgiving turkey or roasted ham is often the dining table centerpiece, try thinking outside the box. You don’t have to give up on your favorite foods, but everyone should try to make plant-based options more plentiful for holiday meals. One typical holiday meal consumes 70% of one person’s daily carbon budget based on determinations by the Paris Agreement. A vegan alternative would use 14%. 

Incorporate one or two more plant-based sides as a challenge to yourself, or make the meat gravy mushroom-based instead. You may also introduce a new protein to the family, such as seitan or tempeh. 

If you don’t want to give up on the classic family recipe, change up where you buy the animal products instead. Try a local butcher or market. This will have inherently lower emissions than other supermarket options because it doesn’t use as many transportation resources to reach you.

Challenging Conventional Traditions

Put a spin on your favorite holiday traditions this year and help save the planet. It’s never too late to try an eco-friendly alternative. With the change, you might feel the spirit of the holidays more, spreading positivity and eco-awareness with your loved ones and community for years to come.