3 ways to plan for a "green" holiday season 🎄🕯️

The holidays are all about joy, celebration, and…waste?

Yep, it’s easy to go a little overboard this time of year — wrapping paper, extra lights, and all those leftovers add up fast!

But what if you could enjoy everything you love about the season and still be kind to the planet?

With these simple and eco-friendly ideas, you can plan a holiday that’s just as festive but way greener — because saving the earth never goes out of style.

Celebrate with a Greener Tree Choice

Wondering which is better for the environment: natural or artificial tree? The answer isn’t straightforward, but the key eco tips are re-using artificial trees and properly recycling natural ones when the season’s done.

Use LED Christmas Lights

LED lights are energy-efficient, safer, and can save up to 90% on holiday lighting costs . Set them on a timer to keep electricity bills low by limiting usage to nighttime hours.

Send E-Cards and Invitations

Skip paper cards and invitations — email options save time, money, and resources, with plenty of free, eye-catching templates available online.

Plan Parties Wisely

• Serve food without wrappers or plates when possible.

• Shop local, and use locally sourced food.

• Reduce waste by using reusable napkins, plates, glasses, and decorations.

• Store, freeze, or re-purpose food for future meals.

• Donate or compost leftover food waste instead of throwing it away.

Recycle Thoughtfully

• Recycle wrapping paper, packaging, and decorations.

• Support sustainability by choosing disposable items made from recycled materials.

• Avoid wasteful materials like cellophane, opting for eco-friendly alternatives like paper wrap with pinecone decorations or reusable cloth wrapping.

Green travel is about making thoughtful and eco-friendly choices.

Pick Green-Friendly Places to Stay

Start your eco-vacation right by choosing places that care for the planet.

• Choose hotels or lodges that recycle, conserve water, and use renewable energy.

• Staying at eco-resorts means you can relax without worrying about your environmental impact.

Travel with the Planet in Mind

Transportation adds to your carbon footprint, but you can take steps to reduce it.

• If time allows, take a train instead of flying — it’s more scenic and has a lower environmental impact.

• No electric car? Use public transportation — it’s cheaper and less polluting.

• Plan your routes wisely. Walk or rent a bicycle to get around.

Shop and Stay Local

When planning an eco-friendly vacation, think about how you can support the local community.

• Take tours and activities led by local guides for authentic experiences and deeper cultural engagement.

• Interact with the local community to learn about their culture, traditions, and way of life.

• Buy souvenirs from local artisans — not only do they make great gifts, but you also help support local livelihoods.

• Purchasing locally-made products contributes to sustainable tourism practices.

Nurture Nature and Wildlife

Follow the Leave No Trace rule when visiting natural areas to avoid leaving any environmental impact.

• Stay on designated trails to protect local plants and animals. Walking off the trail can harm delicate plants that take time to recover.

• Keep a safe distance from animals and never feed them, as human food can be harmful or even deadly to some wildlife.

• Use water and energy wisely. If you're staying in a lodge, take shorter showers, and switch off lights and air conditioning when you're not in the room.

Nicholas has arrived in a small coastal town for his holiday. He’s staying at an eco-lodge and wants to keep his trip as environmentally friendly as possible — but he’s facing a new decision today.

He wants to explore a nearby nature reserve, buy a small gift to take home, and choose an activity for the afternoon.

Several options are available, and each one has a different impact on the environment. Nicholas pauses and thinks: What’s the greenest set of choices I can make next?

Which option should Nicholas choose to stay true to his eco-friendly intentions?

A. Take the local bus to the nature reserve, follow marked trails, join a community-led walking tour, and buy a handmade craft.

B. Rent a private car for the day, explore off-trail areas for better views, and buy a mass-produced souvenir.

C. Walk to the reserve but join a commercial wildlife tour that gets close to animals and buy imported souvenirs.

D. Take a discounted boat trip that approaches wildlife closely, then buy whatever souvenirs are cheapest.

Photo by Valentina Sotnikova on Unsplash

By including these eco-friendly habits in your plans, you can enjoy a great holiday and help protect the environment.

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