As the holiday season arrives, it's the perfect time to embrace sustainable practices that benefit both your celebrations and the planet. From thoughtful gift-giving to eco-friendly decorating, small changes can make a meaningful difference.

Shop Mindfully

Taking a deliberate approach to holiday shopping helps reduce waste and unnecessary consumption.

• Plan your purchases in advance to avoid impulse buys—a strategy that's good for both the environment and your budget.
• Focus on quality over quantity, choosing fewer, well-made items that will last.
• Consider giving experiences like concert tickets, memberships, or workshops, which create lasting memories without adding clutter.
• Shop locally and in person rather than relying on delivery services, which increase carbon emissions. Supporting neighbourhood retailers also reduces your environmental impact and helps your community.
• Consider making homemade gifts that reflect the recipient's unique interests and show extra care.

Reusing What You Have

Before heading to the store, look around your home for opportunities to reuse and repurpose.

• Look for gently used items in your home that would make perfect gifts for someone else.
• Save gift wrap, bags, and ribbons from previous years to reuse—and when you need more, choose recyclable options, since most traditional wrapping paper can't be recycled.
• Explore secondhand options through Facebook Marketplace, Kijiji, and local thrift stores, where you can often find items on your list at lower prices.
• Choose pre-loved or eco-friendly gifts to reduce everyone's carbon footprint.

Decorate with Nature

Transform your home into a festive space using natural materials instead of disposable plastics.

• Create beautiful decorations with evergreen boughs, garlands made from popcorn and cranberries, natural twine, and dried citrus slices.
• Switch to energy-efficient LED lights or create ambiance with candles.
• Make your own living ornaments! All you need is a holder, moss, and plants to tuck in that you can hang on your tree. (Visit our holiday display at The Leaf, Luminous, to see ours in person! We used spider plant babies and succulent hens and chicks.)
• If your holiday lights stop working and can't be repaired, take advantage of our upcoming holiday light recycling program (stay tuned for details!)
• If you choose a real Christmas tree, keep it out of the landfill by participating in your local tree recycling program.

These simple yet impactful changes will keep your holidays merry and bright while supporting a healthier planet.