Submitted by Sarah Neal, Haddam Sustainability Committee
(December 6, 2025) — As the song says, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year!” However, it can also be a stressful and commercialized time of the year. Here are a few ideas to help create a sustainable holiday – for the planet and for you. Try one or more of these suggestions so that you can enjoy more of your holiday celebration.
- Buy local to support small businesses and bring your own reusable tote bag.
2. Consider gifting something consumable – buy something from a specialty store (tea, coffee, etc.) or perhaps you can bake something. Consider gifting experiences rather than things. One of the favorite gifts I received for my birthday one year was a live online cooking class with a home chef in Morocco. Restaurant gift cards are also a nice option.
3. Use sustainable wrapping to wrap your (hopefully) sustainable gifts. Options include reusing single-use wrapping paper or gift bags, using brown paper or newspaper with a festive (and reusable) ribbon or a spray of greenery, using a piece of cloth or even a tea towel as part of the gift, and making cloth gift bags that can be reused year after year.
4. Burn candles from sustainable sources such as beeswax and soy. If you choose scented candles, check that the source of the scent is from essential oils and doesn’t just list “fragrance.”
5. If you are setting up a Christmas tree, choose a real tree, harvested from a tree farm that is sustainably managed (fewer or no pesticides and herbicides). Fake trees are made from plastic and have their own issues. If you already have an artificial tree and it is in good condition, continue to use it.
6. For Christmas tree lights, switch to LED. These use less energy and will save you money on your electric bill. They are also safer since they produce less heat. You can recycle your old holiday lights at some big box stores that have a program for this. Avoid buying plastic decorations and skip the tinsel.
7. Make your own ornaments and holiday decorations from nature. Evergreen branches, berries, flowers, fresh fruit, bark, popcorn, and herbs are some good choices.
8. If you are hosting a holiday meal, plan the menu and how much food you will need to have. Use containers (preferably glass) for leftovers or ask your guests to bring a container if you want to send them home with some food. If possible, use real utensils and dishes.
9. Keep your own schedule manageable so that you don’t get overwhelmed. It’s okay to say “No” to some invitations so that you can conserve your energy for other events.
10. Be gracious when opening a gift, even one you might not have chosen. Thank the giver. You can always regift or donate the item. Remember the reason for the season.
