Sustainable & Eco-Friendly Holiday Tips

While wrapping paper looks great, it’s not always good for the environment. Plain paper can often recycle but glittery, shiny wrapping paper can’t, and we tend to use tons. Instead of traditional wrapping paper, use recyclable alternatives, like old newspapers, paper bags, and brown craft paper which offer a stylish and unique appeal. Scarves, decorative dish towels, and even clothing items provide another alternative that family and friends can continue to use.

For another solution, check out recyclable wrapping paper options. Though a little pricier, recyclable wrapping paper allows you to wrap your holiday gifts with the classic festive look, only eco-friendlier!

If you still own traditional gift wrap or receive a gift that used it, try reusing it! Check out our blog to find ways you can reuse your gift wrap to avoid tossing it in a landfill.

Get creative with your holiday decorations! Making your own holiday decorations adds a fun and artistic way to celebrate the holidays. You can also turn it into a fun family activity!

Find a wide variety of holiday decorations to add cheer to your home, such as:

• Mason Jar Snow Globe
• Christmas Tea Tree
• Origami
• Homemade stockings
• Painted ornaments
• And many more

LED Christmas lights offer an energy efficient alternative to traditional string light options. Traditional Christmas lights typically use incandescent bulbs, which waste 90 percent of their energy as heat. LED lights can use up to 75 percent less energy than incandescent and produce very little heat. LED Christmas lights can also last around 4,000 hours.

In addition to LEDs, investing in a light timer can help reduce the amount of energy used for holiday lighting. A light timer prevents you from accidentally leaving the lights on all night or when you’re away.

While an artificial tree may seem like the most environmentally conscious option, they contribute a high carbon footprint due to their energy-intensive manufacturing process. Additionally, their transportation process increases carbon emissions, and they often end up in landfills at the end of their life.

For a greener alternative, use a real tree. Potted trees offer the most sustainable option. As long as you find a tree native to the area, it can be replanted! If that’s not an option, local programs may allow you to recycle a real tree once the holiday season ends. These organizations can typically use them to support local conservation and habitat projects.

However, if you already own an artificial tree, don’t despair! Maintaining the tree and reusing it each year helps offset the environmental impact.

Celebrate an eco-friendly and sustainable holiday season this year. Do a little holiday shopping with HomElectrical to find a variety of LED string light options including a SMART LED string light!