Ah, the holiday season. Seemingly getting longer and longer each year, the U.S. typically celebrates Thanksgiving and the winter holidays (Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, New Year's) near the end of each year. Since we've already explored food waste in this guide entitled, Sustainable Thanksgiving: How to Throw an Eco-Friendly Feast, all about reducing food and environmental waste during America’s favorite feasting week, we're now focusing on sustainable decorating, gifting, and wrapping in this little primer with some eco-friendly gifting tips and tricks. Think an eco-friendly party can’t be festive? Think again — and read on for proof!
Household waste increases by up to 25 percent in the weeks between Thanksgiving and New Year’s, much of it having to do with the accouterments of the holiday season — lavish decorations, mountains of gifts, thousands of miles of ribbon and wrapping paper. This year, reduce your holiday carbon footprint by asserting your creativity and making a few small changes to your usual routine. With this helpful guide, you can green up your holiday decorating and gifting while giving life to new traditions.