Sustainable Holidays 2025 Blog Post
Celebrate the Holiday Season with Joy, Peace, and Planet-Friendly Cheer! by DelawareEstuary As we enter the holiday season, many of us are turning our thoughts toward togetherness, reflection, and meaningful ways to welcome the coming year. If you’re hoping to embrace a more earth-friendly lifestyle, there’s no need to wait until January. Small, thoughtful choices during the holidays can keep the season joyful while taking things easy on the planet. An environmentally mindful celebration can begin right at the table. Choosing locally grown or produced ingredients supports nearby farmers and reduces the environmental cost of long-distance transport. When planning your holiday meals, consider preparing portions that fit your gathering or finding creative ways to reinvent leftovers in the days that follow. By composting any scraps that remain, you can give back to the soil and close the loop in a simple yet meaningful way. Want more ways to bring a little extra joy—and a lot more green—into your holiday season? Give these a try:
Donate to Environmental Causes: Donating to environmental charities on behalf of loved ones support causes that matter and can replace physical gifts. Please consider a tax-deductible gift to PDE!
Make your own Wildlife-Friendly Ornaments: Check out these creative outdoor holiday decorations that double as tasty healthy treats for birds! (link: https://www.audubon.org/magazine/diy-outdoorholiday-decorations-double-delectable-treats-birds)
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.
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.
Give Eco-Friendly Gifts: Choose gifts made from sustainable materials or products that encourage a low-waste lifestyle. Check out retailers such as EarthHero, GOODEE, and ZellJoy for options.
Switch to LED Lights: Light up your home with energy-efficient LED lights, which last longer and use less energy than traditional bulbs.
Reconnect to nature: The holidays are a wonderful reminder to slow down and enjoy the company of loved ones. Consider adding a nature walk through a nearby park or preserve to your seasonal traditions. A little time spent soaking in the sights, sounds, and calm of the natural world can be a meaningful gift to yourself.
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!