Go green this holiday season with these eco-friendly Christmas decors

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It’s that time of the year again. For most Filipinos, Christmas is the time to celebrate and get their festive spirit on. But for Mother Earth, it is also the most damaging time of the year thanks to the waste materials we produce during this busy season.

But this need not be the case anymore. Below are some eco-friendly Christmas decors that are less toxic to you and the environment.

Potted Living Christmas Tree

Taken from Cainta Plant Nursery's Facebook Page

Artificial Christmas trees may be reusable and may last for six to nine years, but it is still made of PVC. Eventually, you have to dispose of these plastic “trees” that are harmful to the environment.

For this year, it’s time to opt for potted living Christmas trees. Yes, you can use actual trees like the Araucaria in place of a faux Christmas tree. You can easily find this plant in the Cainta Plant Nursery.

After the holidays, you can plant it in your backyard or keep it potted. The latter lets you use it again for Christmas next year.

LED Lights

Christmas lights are an essential décor to set the mood this season. But instead of using the traditional incandescent lights, adorn your home with LED.

LED lights are more eco-friendly than incandescent. They use less energy and are relatively safer. They also don’t burn nor get hot to the touch, and they last longer.
Today’s LED lights are also better-looking with omnidirectional glow and new warm colors.

But if you already have your old lights that are still in good working condition, we don’t recommend throwing them out. It’s just wasteful, and it would be more damaging to the environment than getting a replacement.

LED Lanterns

Photo by Marta Branco from Pexels

In the Philippines, the “parol” is another indispensable décor for the holidays. These Christmas lanterns are an iconic symbol that’s been part of the country’s culture.

The good news is most Christmas lanterns made here use eco-friendly materials. If you’re buying one, go for a Christmas lantern that uses LED bulbs.

Vegetable-based or LED Candles

Scented candles can set the festive ambiance this Christmas, but petroleum-based candles would only pollute your home and the environment. Replace them with vegetable- or soy-based candles that are biodegradable and smoke-free.
You can also opt for LED candles. They are made of real wax, but these candles don’t use flame and don’t produce smoke. They are also safer for your lungs and are not a fire hazard.

Fabric Wreaths

If you feel guilty for the evergreen trees whose branches got cut off just to make Christmas wreaths, you’re not alone. On that note, go for handmade fabric wreaths this year.

There are plenty of chic designs to choose from, and they are made of eco-friendly materials. Fabric and burlap are nature’s best friends for these wreaths. Also, you’ll be supporting the artists to make a living. That’s what Christmas is all about, anyway.

Fabric Gift Bags

Photo by Joanna Kosinska on Unsplash

Forego the glossy wrapping papers underneath the Christmas tree. You may think these wrappers are eco-friendly because technically, they are papers. But they are not. These glittery and shiny wrappers contain plastic that is absolutely anti-environment.

This Christmas, wrap your presents in fabric gift bags. They are pretty, paper-free, and reusable. You can wrap these fabrics in different ways to achieve various looks.

For the gift tags, replace the traditional ones with seed paper. These gift tags are made from seed paper that can be planted. Yes, you can grow some plants with it which is totally eco-friendly.