Greener Festivities: How To Reduce Your Impact While Having Fun

Celebrations bring people together, fostering joy, connection, and lasting memories. However, the environmental impact of traditional festivities can be substantial. Embracing green celebrations is not only an opportunity to reduce our ecological footprint but also a chance to instill sustainable values in our traditions.

From Easter and Christmas to Thanksgiving, Halloween, birthdays, and parties, here’s a guide on how to make every celebration a planet-friendly affair.

Easter: Eco-Eggs and Thoughtful Treats

1. Ditch Plastic Eggs: Opt for reusable or biodegradable eggs instead of plastic ones. You can fill them with treats or, for an added touch, plant seeds inside for a symbolic representation of growth and renewal.
2. Natural Egg Dyeing: Choose natural dyes made from fruits, vegetables, or spices to color your eggs. It’s a creative and eco-friendly alternative to chemical-laden dyes.
3. Sustainable Baskets: Use baskets made from sustainable materials like bamboo or jute instead of plastic or synthetic ones. These can be reused for years to come.
4. Choose Recyclable Foil: When buying easter eggs for your celebrations or as gifts, stick to those wrapped in foil and cardboard. Avoid those that have plastic packaging, as this is often not recyclable.

Find more great tips on how to have a low-waste Easter.

Christmas: Mindful Gifting and Decorations

1. Eco-Friendly Gift Wrap: Wrap gifts in reusable fabric, old maps, or newspapers. Encourage recipients to reuse or recycle the wrapping afterward.
2. Consider Gift Choices: Studies have found that, more often than not, people receive unwanted gifts over the holidays. The truth is many of us already have everything we need, and if we don’t, we generally just buy it. So when it comes to Christmas, ask yourself if gifts are even necessary, it’s the memories that really matter. If you find it hard to give up a gift, then ask your family what they really need, choose eco-friendly or recycled products, or give the gift of an experience instead.
3. Sustainable Decorations: Consider decorations made from recycled materials or ones that can be reused each year.
4. DIY Ornaments: Get crafty and create your own ornaments using recycled materials. This adds a personal touch to your decorations while minimizing waste.

Here’s some reading for reducing your waste at Christmas:

• 9 tips to reduce waste at Christmas​
• ​How to recycle your Christmas lights​
• ​Is wrapping paper recyclable​
• ​Recycled Gifts to Fill Your Stocking

Thanksgiving: Gratitude for the Earth

1. Food Sharing: Plan your portions wisely to minimize food waste. Encourage guests to bring containers so they can take home leftovers.
2. Locally Sourced Menu: Opt for locally sourced, seasonal ingredients to reduce the carbon footprint of your Thanksgiving feast.
3. Reusable Tableware: Invest in reusable plates, utensils, and napkins instead of disposable ones. If disposables are a must, choose compostable options.

Learn more about Reducing and Recycling at Thanksgiving.

Halloween: Sustainable Costumes and Low-Waste Treats

1. DIY Costumes: Create costumes from items you already have or repurpose old clothes. Avoid single-use, store-bought costumes that contribute to textile waste.
2. Low-Waste Treats: Opt for treats with minimal packaging or hand out non-edible items like stickers, small toys, or pencils. Consider locally sourced or organic options.
3. Compostable Decor: If you decorate your home or yard, choose compostable decorations that won’t linger in landfills after the holiday.

Get more tips to lower your waste at Halloween.

Birthdays: Eco-Friendly Gifts and Wrapping

• Gift Experiences: Consider gifting experiences rather than physical items. This reduces the demand for new products and creates lasting memories.
• Sustainable Party Supplies: Choose reusable or compostable party supplies. Avoid single-use plastics and opt for decorations that can be repurposed or recycled.
• Minimalist Approach: Embrace a minimalist mindset when planning green celebrations. Focus on meaningful moments rather than excessive decorations and disposable items.

Valentine’s Day: Other ways to celebrate your love

• Give the gift of experience: Plan a picnic, hike, or even a weekend getaway. This year I chose a dinner at a local restaurant.
• Create personalized vouchers: What about making up your own personalized vouchers for your partner? You can offer a free foot massage, breakfast in bed, or a day off from their regular chores while you take over, like looking after the kids.
• Choose low-waste gifts: Maybe something made from recycled or upcycled materials or a living gift such as a pot plant.
• Consider the packaging: Before you buy a gift, take a look at what the packaging is made of. Ask questions like Can it be recycled easily? Are there better options that are recyclable?

Get some more tips for a more responsible Valentine’s Day.

Parties: Hosting Responsibly

• Zero-Waste Party: Challenge yourself to host a zero-waste party by minimizing single-use items, encouraging guests to bring their own containers, and composting food scraps. Or why not borrow or rent a kit from the Party Kit Network?

the party kit network

The Party Kit Network connects communities with reusable party kits, reducing single-use waste by providing sustainable alternatives for events and celebrations.

You can borrow everything in one go, save money, and help save thousands of single-use items from landfills.

Find a Party Kit

• Digital Invitations: Send electronic invitations instead of paper ones to save resources. There are various online platforms that allow you to create beautiful, personalized invitations.
• Sustainable Entertainment: Opt for eco-friendly entertainment options and activities that minimize waste. Consider renting, borrowing, or buying second-hand items instead of new ones.

Celebrating with Purpose

Green celebrations not only benefit the planet but also add depth and intention to our festivities. By making mindful choices in our decorations, food, gifts, and overall event planning, we contribute to a more sustainable and eco-conscious way of celebrating. It’s about fostering joy, connection, and gratitude while being mindful stewards of the Earth. As we continue to embrace green celebrations, we pave the way for future generations to enjoy the beauty of festivities in harmony with the planet.