Gift the Planet Some Love: 10 Actions for a Greener Holiday Season

The holidays are coming, bringing joy, merriment, and, unfortunately, waste. Over 100,000 tonnes of plastic packaging is thrown away each Christmas (Aylmore, 2023). We’re not here to spoil your Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or any other celebrations. Instead, we’re offering ideas that might help you include the planet on your gift list this holiday season, in ways that suit your own traditions and means:

1. Keep it Secret
   Gift-giving can sometimes lead to stress and unneeded consumerism. In a family of four, for instance, if each member buys gifts for everyone else, that’s 24 presents, each with its own carbon footprint from shipping and packaging. A secret gift exchange, where each person gives just one gift, can be an alternative that’s often both sustainable and economical. If your family or friends like the idea, websites like Elfster can help plan it.
2. Mindful Gifting
   In 2021, the UK saw £1 billion worth of presents go unopened, eventually filling landfills. Consider practical, thoughtful gifts that might be used and enjoyed rather than discarded. Experiences—like a cooking class or a guided tour—can be meaningful, especially if they align with the recipient’s interests, and research shows experiences often bring more joy than possessions. Tailor this to what feels right and realistic for your loved ones.
3. Modify the White Elephant Game
   While many enjoy the traditional White Elephant (or Yankee Swap) game, it can sometimes result in impractical trinkets that go unused. If it suits your group, you might consider modifying the game to include more meaningful or reusable items, or even replacing it with a fun activity, like a scavenger hunt. This can help reduce waste while keeping the fun alive.
4. Choose a Thoughtful Tree
   Choosing between a real and an artificial tree can be challenging. Real trees are often grown in monoculture fields, which may impact biodiversity, and they’re sometimes burned afterward, releasing carbon. If you go for a real tree, consider buying locally from sources that recycle them, or think about a potted tree if you have the space to keep it year-round. Artificial trees, on the other hand, are made from plastic, but reusing them over multiple years can make them the greener choice. Consider the option that works best for you and your space.
5. Leftovers for the Win
   Holiday feasts often result in leftover food, with around 7 million tonnes wasted each year. To minimize waste, try to plan meals around the number of guests, consider plant-based dishes where possible, and find creative ways to use leftovers. If there’s extra food you won’t eat, donating it to a local food bank can make a big difference, but remember to check local rules on food donations. You can find resources here for food banks in Australia and in the USA.
6. LED Up!
   Cozy lights add charm to the holiday season, but holiday lighting in the U.S. alone could power millions of refrigerators! If you’re looking to make a change, LED lights use 75% less energy than traditional bulbs, so you can enjoy the ambiance while reducing energy use.
7. Go Matte
   Each year, we use about 50,000 trees for gift wrap. Shiny or glittery wrapping paper isn’t recyclable, so if you’d like a more eco-friendly option, try recycled matte paper or consider upcycling items you already have, like fabric scraps or old maps, which can give gifts a unique touch.
8. Sustainable Greetings
   According to Hallmark and the Greeting Card Association, over 1.3 billion Christmas cards are sent each year in the U.S. alone, impacting both forests and the environment. Many cards include glitter or foil, which aren’t recyclable. If it suits you, consider e-cards, cards made from recycled paper, or even seed cards, which can grow into a tree when planted!
9. Road Trip
   Visiting family and friends during the holidays is often special. Driving instead of flying can reduce environmental impact, and for those open to it, carpooling or public transport—like trains—can make travel greener. But, of course, sometimes flying is necessary, and the important thing is making memories with loved ones.
10. Green Glow
    Holiday scents add a warm, cozy feel to any home. Many candles, though, are made from paraffin, a petroleum byproduct. Beeswax or soy candles can be gentler on the environment, or you could try DIY alternatives like simmering spices on the stove to create holiday aromas.

References

Click here to view the references for this article.

• References:
• Are candles bad for the environment?. Science Questions | Naked Scientists. (2011, December 18). https://www.thenakedscientists.com/articles/questions/are-candles-bad-environment
• Aylmore, F. (2023, December 20). Christmas: The environmental impacts. The Oxford Blue. https://theoxfordblue.co.uk/christmas-the-environmental-impacts/#:~:text=The%20manufacturing%20and%20shipping%20of,from%20packaging%20and%20wrapping%20paper.
• Conca, J. (2021, December 10). The energy to light christmas. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/jamesconca/2020/12/20/the-energy-to-light-christmas/
• David, C. (2010, May). When is flying greener than driving?: Essential answer. Stanford Magazine. https://stanfordmag.org/contents/when-is-flying-greener-than-driving-essential-answer
• Ending hunger in Australia. Foodbank. (2024, June 18). https://www.foodbank.org.au/?state=au
• Find your local food bank. Feeding America. (n.d.). https://www.feedingamerica.org/find-your-local-foodbank
• How many christmas presents are thrown away each year?. Waste Cost Solutions. (2023, April 14). https://www.wastecostsolutions.com/how-many-christmas-presents-are-thrown-away-each-year
• How much electricity do Christmas lights use?. Mr. Electric. (2020, December 22). https://mrelectric.com/blog/how-much-electricity-do-christmas-lights-use
• Jacobo, J. (2022, November 23). Hidden ways the holidays harm the environment and how you can reduce the waste. ABC News. https://abcnews.go.com/Technology/hidden-ways-holidays-harm-environment-reduce-waste/story?id=93487258
• Mills, G. T. (2023, December 8). This year, it will cost more to send Christmas cards. here’s how much and when to send by. The Florida Times-Union. https://www.jacksonville.com/story/business/2023/12/07/2023-holiday-shipping-deadlines-for-usps-fedex-ups/71769903007/
• University Of Colorado At Boulder. (2004, December 28). Experiences make people happier than material goods, says University of Colorado Prof. ScienceDaily. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2004/12/041219182811.htm
• What is the environmental impact of Christmas?. Energym. (2021, December 10). https://energym.io/blogs/braingains/what-is-the-environmental-impact-of-christmas?srsltid=AfmBOorMu4i25cHFYaO3XMFgjgcCG_WUYdLng2wydkW4GwZzq8ifkWL3

Make Your Voice Heard

Do you have other ideas to make this holiday season more sustainable? We’d love to hear your thoughts and share them with others looking to make a difference in ways that fit their own traditions and preferences.

Alternatively, you can also participate in our 24-hour online poll below and let us know which one touched your heart and mind the most?

About From the Heart

HeartBeat Blog’s From the Heart series is a heartfelt exploration of the many ways we can create a kinder world. Making a difference and paying it forward don’t have to follow a single path—just because someone chooses a different way to contribute doesn’t mean their impact is any less valuable. Acts of kindness, generosity, and positive change take many forms—some visible, some quiet, but all meaningful. True change happens when we acknowledge and respect the diverse ways people give back, whether through direct action, advocacy, education, or simply offering support in ways that might not be immediately obvious. Every effort counts, and the key is not to measure impact by our own standards alone but to recognise the many ways people strive to make the world better in their own way.

From the Heart captures this spirit through essays, opinions, poetry, non-book reviews, and musings—sharing both everyday and extraordinary moments that inspire change. Alongside these reflections, you’ll find news, event announcements, and updates from the Store with a Heart community, celebrating the many ways we can impact lives and lift one another up. Whether through personal stories, creative expression, or reflections on life’s small but meaningful acts, From the Heart offers an open space to inspire, connect, and celebrate the journey toward a better tomorrow.

Disclaimer

The content on HeartBeat, a blog by Store with a Heart, is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. The views expressed by authors and contributors do not necessarily reflect those of Store with a Heart. While we strive for accuracy, we do not guarantee the completeness, reliability, or validity of any information shared. None of HeartBeat‘s write-ups are paid for by any of the individuals, organisations, or brands mentioned. Any ads or sponsored posts are clearly marked as such. For more details, please review our Full Disclaimer, Privacy Policy, and Terms of Service.

HeartBeat Links

Here are shortcuts to our content:

• Book Review Requests
• Book Review Requests Step 3
• Books with a Heart
• From the Heart: Stories, Reflections, and Inspiration for a Kinder World
• Heart to Heart: Inspiring Action, One Interview at a Time
• HeartBeat: Your Pulse of Positivity
• Home
• Important Announcement
• Memorabilia for Award Winners
• Our Blog’s Disclaimer
• Our Blog’s Privacy Policy
• Our Blog’s Terms of Service
• Purpose-driven Insights
• The Difference Makers
• Universal Kindness Awards Nomination Form Step 1 and Step 2
• Universal Kindness Awards Paid Nominations, Sponsorships, and Other Forms of Financial Support for the Awards
• Universal Kindness Awards Policy for Reporting on Awardees and Minimum Nominee Criteria
• Universal Kindness Awards Supporters
• Universal Kindness Awards – Nomination Policies
• Voluntary Contribution Policy
• Winners of the Universal Kindness Awards

Nominate for the Universal Kindness Awards

We are accepting nominations all year round. It’s free to repay kindness with kindness. There’s no cost to make a submission (unless you choose to voluntarily pay for the nomination and help pay it forward). Nominate a difference maker today!

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Our Collective Impact

To know how our entire global community of generous individuals and participating platforms has been making a difference, click here.

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Visit Store with a Heart‘s online shop today!

Make a difference with every carbon-neutral gift that makes a difference. Check out our products and services. As you are one of our valued community members, you can use the code SWAH10 to get your 10% discount on every purchase you make.

“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” – Aesop

Copyright © 2020-2025 Store with a Heart®: Making a Difference. All Rights Reserved.