Celebrate a Green, Joyful, and Eco-Friendly Holiday Season!

As the holiday season draws near, it’s the perfect time to gather with loved ones, celebrate the year's joys, and consider ways to make a positive impact in the year to come. If you’re looking to start a greener lifestyle, you can begin before the New Year by embracing sustainable choices that keep the season both festive and eco-conscious.

Celebrating an eco-friendly holiday season also means rethinking how we approach holiday meals and gatherings. Consider sourcing ingredients locally to support nearby farmers and reduce the carbon footprint associated with long-distance food transportation. If you’re hosting, plan meals to reduce food waste by cooking just the right amount or saving leftovers for creative post-holiday recipes. Composting food scraps is another great way to ensure that what doesn’t get eaten helps enrich the soil rather than contributing to landfills.

Here are some simple tips to create a joyful, green holiday celebration:

• Donate to Environmental Causes: Consider gifting to environmental charities on behalf of loved ones to support causes that matter and reduce the need for physical gifts. Please consider a tax-deductible gift to PDE!

• Give the gift of year-round sustainability: Encourage family and friends to sign up for PDE's quarterly newsletter, Estuary News, here. Best of all, it's free!

• Send E-Cards Instead of Paper: Spread holiday cheer digitally, reducing paper waste and keeping your greetings eco-friendly.

• Switch to LED Lights: Light up your home with energy-efficient LED lights, which last longer and use less energy than traditional bulbs.

• Choose a Potted Tree: If you opt for a natural tree, go for a potted one that can be replanted after the season or kept alive to use next year.

• Recycle Wrapping Paper: Reuse or recycle wrapping paper and packaging to minimize waste. Look for recyclable or reusable gift wrap options.

• Give Eco-Friendly Gifts: Choose gifts made from sustainable materials or products that encourage a low-waste lifestyle.

• Decorate with Natural Elements: Get creative with natural decorations like pinecones, holly, and greenery instead of plastic decor.

• Use Responsibly-Sourced Candles: Opt for candles made from beeswax, coconut, rapeseed, or soy wax for a clean, sustainable burn.

• Skip Cheap Stocking Stuffers: Avoid small, plastic items that often end up as waste. Instead, focus on quality, meaningful gifts.

You can make a donation to PDE here. We are so grateful for your support! With these small changes, you can create a holiday season that's joyful and memorable and leaves a lighter footprint on the planet. Enjoy a sustainable celebration that embodies the true spirit of giving back!