The Best Ways to Have Zero-Waste + Eco-Friendly Holidays!

What are the best ways to have zero or minimal waste holidays? Below are the most awesome ideas for living an eco-friendly + zero-waste lifestyle and how to include that in your holidays! These tips are definitely transferable to any holiday that you celebrate.

These are the holidays that I currently have in mind: Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Eve Party

• Use reusable plates, cups, bowls, silverware that you can wash afterwards or use compostable ware. Some cities even have lending libraries for party items where you check out the items and return them (clean) once you are done
• Use 100% recycled or bamboo napkins or reusable cloth napkins
• Make food items yourself, preferably vegan
• Buy snacks in bulk from the bins at Natural Food stores 
• Make easy to eat items and finger foods, such as veggie kebabs, vegan patés, dips and our favorite, bruschetta
• Use a SodaStream for fizzy water instead of buying cans or bottles
• Buy large bottles of wine, alcohol, juice if you are going to serve these drinks
• Use natural elements for decoration such as herbs, flowers, plants, fruits, veggies, pumpkins, acorns, leaves or other items found outside in nature

Halloween

• Give out vegan candy from eco-friendly packaging
• Give out non-food items such as paper pads, pencils, markers, and stickers

Costumes

• Buy at second-hand stores
• Borrow a costume from a friend or neighbor
• Make your own costume that you can reuse or donate
• Find items around your house that can be used for your costume
• Ask your local Buy Nothing Group for what you are looking for

Clothes for celebrations

I always recommend buying second hand clothes. You can find some amazing pieces at various thrift stores and second hand stores. You could always host a small swap between some friends and/or borrow some of your friends’ items. Asking on your local Buy Nothing Group is a great way to re-purpose items.

Christmas

• Choose a fresh Christmas tree from a reputable source. We typically bought our Christmas tree from Whole Foods and after the holidays, we would use the pine needles as mulch in our backyard garden and then put the remaining parts of the tree on our curb for compost pick up. 
• Make a fresh wreath for your front door.
• Decorate with items found in nature. It’s so much fun to search for these items with your family and then proudly display them throughout the season.
• Instead of a Christmas tree, buy a small rosemary tree or plant. Or make a Christmas tree display with items you find in nature. Your house will smell amazing!

ALL HOLIDAYS

Make new traditions with your family and children that don’t involve buying things. Some ideas: go for a walk, spend time in nature, make food together, watch movies, go to free events and holiday displays in your neighborhood and city, go Christmas caroling, spend time with friends, donate your time or money to causes you care about and do fun indoor activities together, such as board games, especially cooperative games, puzzles, art work, etc. If you feel you must spend money on your loved ones, give them gift certificates to local activities or choose an experience that you can all do together. Because, after all, aren’t the holidays about bringing people together?!

These are the best ways to celebrate the holidays in a zero-waste + eco-friendly manner! What are your favorite ways to celebrate the holidays? Do you have any tips for keeping them as eco-friendly as possible?

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The 5 items we are so happy to have on all of our trips!

1. Merrell women’s light hiking shoes – these are amazing because they are lightweight, but are extra grippy and helpful for all the hills in Portugal! I also have this pair that I always get compliments on: Merrell Rainbow shoes. Fernando loves his Asics trail runners which are also grippy and perfect for walking in Portugal.
2. Thermoflask water bottle – like a Hydroflask, but more affordable! We don’t go anywhere without these water bottles full of purified water.
3. North Face Aphrodite 2.0 capris – I seriously wear these pants every.single.day! I couldn’t live without these ultra-comfy, lightweight pants that dry so quickly. They are 100% worth the money!
4. Osprey Day Pack – this is an awesome lightweight backpack that we can easily put the belongings we need at hand for traveling around the city and on public transportation.