How to Celebrate Sustainable Holidays: Plastic-Free Christmas Tips
Going through some old photos, I found this one from Christmas in Australia 10 years ago.
This is a picture of me, organizing gifts under our Christmas “tree”.
We used this peel-and-stick option because we didn’t have much space for a real tree and definitely didn’t want a plastic one.
It made me think of other ways to reduce plastic consumption and create truly sustainable holidays while still enjoying the traditions we love. Although it’s over 50 years old, the “3 Rs” of Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle are still a good guide here.
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Spruce Up Sustainably: Eco-Friendly Decorating Ideas
Avoid “zombie” trees
Almost all artificial trees are made with PVC. Even the ones that use bioplastic are still mostly made of PVC. They still shed microplastics and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into your house. You can read more about the dangers of plastics to your health in this blog post.
If you’re going to have a tree, go “old-school” and get a real one if you can. They look great, and smell great. They’re local and sustainable, so you avoid the environmental cost of shipping from overseas as well.
Use non-plastic ornaments
If you are using a tree, one of the fun parts is decorating. Most ornaments are plastic, but the alternatives often look way more premium! Glass, wood, even wool! There are a lot of options.
Tree skirt alternatives
Many people use polyester Christmas tree skirts. They can look good, but it’s more plastic that you don’t need.
My co-founder used her old ettitude sheets as a tree skirt in the past. The white gives a lovely impression of snow.
There are also tree “collars” which can be made out of metal or other recyclable non-plastic materials.
Eco-friendly options for smaller spaces
If space is an issue, like it was for me 10 years ago, consider one of these options.
String lights or garland: Attach string lights or garland in a triangle shape on a wall to mimic a tree. The garland can be made from vines and other plants, pinecones, or recycled materials like paper or cardboard.
Stack books: Arrange books to create a tree shape on a shelf or in a corner.
Branch in a vase: Place large, festive branches in a vase and decorate them with ornaments for a Scandinavian feel.
Twig tree: Arrange twigs in the shape of a tree and add lights.
Potted trees: A small, live tree in a pot can be a great option for indoors and can be planted later.
Ornament display: Hang ornaments from the ceiling, a curtain rod, or doorknobs, arranging them in a festive shape.
Cardboard trees: Use a decorative cardboard tree that can be folded flat for storage.
Ladder tree: Decorate a ladder with lights, garland, and ornaments. This works well for a rustic aesthetic.
Christmas card tree: Hang Christmas cards on the wall in a tree shape.
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Sustainable Gift Wrap & Beyond: Packaging for a Plastic-Free holiday season
Find alternatives to wrapping paper
Earth911 estimates that approximately 4.6 million lbs. (over 2 million kg) of wrapping paper are produced in the U.S. each year, and that about 2.3 million lbs. (over 1 million kg) end up in landfills.
That’s enough to gift wrap the planet several times.
So your first priority should be to reduce the amount of wrapping paper you use.
There are a number of reusable gift bag options available. Just make sure you’re not substituting one type of plastic for another.
You could use fabric too for a premium look.
I often repurpose the drawstring bags that our ettitude bedding comes in as gift bags.
Reuse wrapping paper
When I was a kid, my mom never let me just rip into a present, tearing it open excitedly to get to the goodies inside.
She made me open it carefully at the seams.
And then after all the gifts were opened, she would quietly gather the wrapping paper and store it away.
Why?
Because she saved the paper for later reuse.
We would see the wrapping paper again and again—a reminder of the joy of past festive seasons.
Definitely better than buying new.
Recycle?
Unfortunately, most wrapping paper is not recyclable. If it’s metallic, has glitter, or has a texture, it is definitely not recyclable.
But you could upcycle newspaper or other non-glossy paper, like paper bags. You can make it look more festive by decorating it yourself.
Avoid using plastic tape (Scotch tape)
If you are using some type of paper to wrap your gifts, you can often tuck and fold rather than use tape. Here’s an easy-to-learn origami-influenced technique.
If you doubt your folding skills, you can use twine or another ribbon alternative to hold everything together.
If you still need things to stick together, you could use masking tape.
Washi tape is another great alternative to Scotch tape. Here’s an eco-friendly, paper-based version.
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Waste-Less Entertaining: Plastic-Free Plates, Cutlery & Containers
Leftover containers
One of the biggest pleasures of the festive season is cooking and eating delicious food.
There’s frequently too much to consume in one sitting. And maybe you want to share some leftovers with your loved ones.
This is another area where you can avoid plastic by using reusable containers.
Glass is your best option here. For some items like sauces, you can even upcycle jam or pickle jars.
You are what you eat (with)
The knowledge of microplastics and the damage they can do to our bodies has come to light in the past few years. Don’t voluntarily put more in your body!
When you take food away or get delivery, always refuse plastic cutlery. I carry a personal bamboo cutlery set when I travel. If I’m home, I just use my own cutlery.
If you want to avoid a big cleanup after a party or you’re entertaining a large group, you can use disposable plates made of non-plastic materials. Here are some examples:
Sugarcane bagasse: A byproduct of sugar production, bagasse plates are durable, water- and grease-resistant, and are suitable for hot or cold foods.
Bamboo: Made from fast-growing bamboo, these plates are strong, naturally stylish, and biodegradable.
Palm leaves: Created by pressing palm leaves with heat and water, these plates are often used for eco-conscious events and have a rustic look.
Paper: Made from wood pulp or recycled paper, these can be eco-friendly if they are uncoated.
Wheat straw: Another plant-based material used to create non-toxic, durable plates.
Cornstarch: Plates made from cornstarch, often referred to as PLA (polylactic acid), are biodegradable and industrially compostable.
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Season’s Greetings (Minus the Waste): Plastic-Free Card Ideas
You could avoid sending physical cards altogether and send a digital card electronically. My parents-in-law choose this option if we’re not going to be together for the holidays. She lives on the other side of the world, so this option saves on paper and the environmental cost of sending a physical card by mail.
But if you like the feeling of a physical card, then here are some good plastic-free options.
Recycled paper: Made from post-consumer waste, this reduces the demand for virgin wood pulp. Look for cards certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). You can read more about FSC certification in our blog post here.
Seed paper: This special paper is embedded with seeds. After the card is read, it can be planted to grow wildflowers or herbs.
Plant-based papers: Alternatives to traditional paper include those made from cotton, hemp, sugarcane, or bamboo.
Biodegradable or compostable materials: Some cards are made from compostable or fully biodegradable materials.
Similar to wrapping paper, avoid anything glossy or containing metal or glitter so you can recycle or compost.
Happy Holidays from ettitude
Thanks for reading. As founder of ettitude, on behalf of all of us here, I want to wish you and your loved ones a happy and safe holiday season. Less plastic, and more life!
Phoebe Yu
FAQs
Q1: Are real trees really more eco-friendly than artificial ones?
Yes—real trees are biodegradable, often grown locally, and can be composted or mulched. Artificial trees contain PVC and other plastics, shed microplastics over time, and usually travel long distances to reach your home.
Q2: Can I recycle wrapping paper with glitter or foil?
No—metallic, textured, or glitter-coated papers clog recycling equipment. Stick to plain kraft or recycled paper, and decorate it yourself with eco-friendly accents.
Q3: What's the easiest no-tape gift wrapping technique?
Try origami-style folds: tuck and crease paper edges under each other to lock the wrap in place. Alternatively, secure folds with twine or washi tape (paper-based) for a polished look.
Q4: Are compostable plates truly plastic-free?
Most compostable plates use plant fibers like bagasse, bamboo, or palm leaves, along with a compostable PLA coating. Ensure the product is certified industrially compostable or home-compostable for best results.
Q5: How do I store reusable wrapping materials between seasons?
Gently flatten the paper and store it in a dedicated box. Fabric wraps, bags, and ribbons can be stored in labeled bins or hanging organizers to keep them fresh and ready for next year.
Celebrate the season sustainably—with fewer single-use plastics and more mindful choices, your holidays can sparkle with joy, not waste. (Share your best eco-swap on social with us @ettitudestore)
