Growing up next door to my grandparents, our family had two Christmas trees: one silver, with an old-fashioned color-wheel light that shone onto the tree’s metallic branches; the other a forever-green plastic tree with bendable branches. Looking back, I remember them both with a great deal of fondness. But I’ve learned since then that neither option is sustainable. I mean, think about it; chemical-laden plastics make fake trees a not-so-green alternative to live trees. Also? Many of them are made in China and shipped abroad. When I was a kid, we didn’t know any better. Now, we do. And that means we need to make better choices.
“But Drema,” you say, “your blog posts have reiterated again and again that we need trees. If I don’t use a plastic tree, that means I’ll be cutting down a living tree. Right?” Maybe not. It’s true that in past years, a “live” tree usually meant a “dead” tree that had been hewn for the purpose of holiday decorations, and which would go out for composting afterward.
That, however, is changing. Now there are live-tree rental companies where you can rent a Christmas tree in a pot.
So far, the trees are only available in certain areas in the U.S., and in London. The companies bring the tree to your home in a pot, along with instructions for care. While in your possession, you are responsible for watering and feeding per instructions; at the end of your rental, they pick it up, return it to the nursery, and care for it until the next year. After 7 years, the tree is usually too large to fit into someone’s dwelling, and is then planted in its forever home, somewhere in the local community, or a nearby forest.
Maybe you’d rather buy your own potted tree. Be sure to pick an evergreen species that’s right for your planting zone; native species are the best options. Then, after the holidays, plant it in your yard where you can continue to enjoy and decorate it year after year. Or plant in a nearby public space where others can enjoy it with you. Check with local authorities first, though. Not every city will allow private plantings like this; they may want to be sure your tree is healthy (they can’t chance it spreading diseases to other nearby trees), planted in a safe location away from power/sewer/water lines, located in a space that is not planned for development, and so on. If you are fortunate enough to live near large, open woodlands or natural areas, it may be safe to plant there. Check with your area’s conservation management teams to be sure.
But Christmas is only one holiday that falls in the coming season. And choosing the right tree is only one step toward greening your festivities. Here are a few others:
- Instead of feeding into the buying frenzy, which can be quite wasteful, offer more sustainable gifts.
- Give “coupons” for housecleaning, lawncare, or dog walks.
- Teach an elder how to use the internet, or download some new, helpful apps to their phone and include a lesson in how to use them.
- Give the gift of professional services, like massage, spa, or music lessons.
- Surprise your loved one with experiential gifts, like tickets to a show, membership in an organization that sponsors activities they might enjoy, or maybe a car- or bike-sharing club.
- Help them plan, dig, and plant a garden.
- Think outside the gift-wrapped box!
- Consider second-hand gifts. Re-gift collectibles or other items in your own home that you’ve loved and are now ready to pass along. Buy unique gift items from local thrift stores or flea markets.
- Homemade items—especially edibles—are always a treat.
- Giving to a family with kids? Consider games the family can enjoy together—items like puzzles, board games, and mind-challenges that don’t require batteries.
- Pare down the buying frenzy by playing secret santas! Put names of your adult family members into a hat, and every adult draws a name. Then prepare a gift for that one person only. Don’t tell who you picked! Keep the mystery as part of the surprise. Want to get the kids involved? Let them have their own secret santa drawing, and the fun that comes with it, or include their names along with the adults’.
- Buy local. Visit craft and art shows, and find items made right there in your own city. When you find just the right gift item, be sure to ask the artisan for the story that goes with it; every craft item has a background, and every single one is unique.
- Recycle gift wrap and ribbons.
Although we’ve come to think of this season as gift-centric, that’s not really what other winter holidays are about, at their hearts. Other aspects include the greenery, which we’ve discussed, but also lights, family and friends, turning inward for the cold months, and more. Here are some helpful tips for making the most of your green winter festivals.
- Choose sustainable candles made from responsibly sourced beeswax, coconut wax, rapeseed wax, or soy wax. No paraffin—which comes from the oil industry. Look for wicks made from cotton, hemp, or wood. Candles in simple paper packaging are best; cut out plastic packaging whenever possible.
- Choose natural decorations. Branches, berries, seedpods, etc. make lovely décor. Ribbons of natural fibers tied around cinnamon sticks and anise pods are bright and festive. Skip the tinsel and plastic garlands.
- Purchase eco-friendly decorations made from natural materials and recycled goods. Even better? Make them yourself.
- Use LED lights.
- In your gatherings, skip the disposable dinnerware. Instead, choose reusable plates, glasses, utensils, and napkins. Send digital invitations.
- Plan carefully to minimize wasted food. Send leftovers home with guests or save them for your family’s next few meals or snacks. Compost what you can’t reuse. (Remember my post from March 2023, “Introduction to Composting”? The EPA estimated that in 2018, the U.S. generated about 63 million tons of food waste.)
- Donate unwanted/unneeded gifts or décor.
As we head into the winter season, there are so many reasons to be grateful! Let’s make this year’s holiday one of the best. If we keep sustainability in our plans for the coming years and learn more as we go about how to green our lifestyles more effectively and completely, every winter season can be better than the last.
Links for more info:
You Can Rent a Live Christmas Tree
How Renting a Christmas Tree Works
Living Christmas Trees (Rent or Adopt)
The Living Christmas Company
Making Christmas a Bit Greener
(Canada) Tri-Star Nursery
(UK) Rent a Christmas Tree: How tree renting works, where to rent from, and choosing the right one
How to Have a ‘Green’ Christmas
How to Have a Green and Sustainable Holiday Season
10 Tips for a Mor Sustainable Winter Holiday
Photo credits:
Tree in a Basket, by Kaboompics.com
