Trying for a More Sustainable Christmas

We are relatively new to the low waste/zero waste movement. And while there are A LOT of areas for us to grow and improve upon, Christmas this year was really on my heart. We focus on celebrating the birth of Jesus for Christmas and less on the other traditions associated with it; however, I do love the warmth the decorations and the joy of the boy’s faces when they open their presents.

We try to stick to just a few for each boy, and just one or two gifts for each other. But there’s so much waste associated with it! From the packaging the shipments come in, to re-wrapping everything in gift bags or wrapping paper, the plastic the wrapping paper comes in, the plastic bags used at the store to check out, the gas to and from the stores… And down the rabbit whole we could go.

So my idea this year was to focus on trying to use up what we already have, make our own when we can, and NOT to go over budget.

My oldest son and I spent October making cinnamon ornaments. He was so tickled when I pulled out the dinosaur cookie cutters to make T-rex, diplodocus, and triceratops ones, too. Feathers were collected while our chickens and guineas hens were molting. (They were treated with oil and frozen for 6 weeks before using them in our crafts.) He collected a bunch of pine cones and decorated with beads and ribbons with his Memaw over Thanksgiving, and we dried some fruit slices in the oven. Preschool and bible school have also sent home some of his homemade ornaments that now adorn our tree.

Our tree itself came from a local tree farm that offers a small selection of root ball trees. We chose a beautiful blue spruce this year and will plant in our front yard to hopefully enjoy for many years to come!

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I do have quite a bit of wrapping paper, gift bags, and bows I’ve stock piled over the years from after-Christmas sales. Since we have them, I’m going to use them.

Gifts for the boys this year have been shamelessly purchased at a second hand shop. I found some Melissa & Doug educational toys in very good shape for a fraction of the price. We are going to build them a toy chest with materials Bryce already has on hand, and I crocheted them both carseat ponchos with matching hats. They’re already using them, but won’t mine opening them again on Christmas Day!

For the subject on financial sustainability for Christmas, we will never go into debt for Christmas again. Last year we decided to make drastic changes for our family’s future and began following Dave Ramsey’s Baby Steps for financial freedom. We have since completed several of the baby steps, but their impact has been lasting on us. I know that I want my boys to enjoy the holiday season and have things they look forward to, but I don’t ever want to give them this expectation of “things” to create good memories.

What are some of your tips and tricks for limiting your waste this holiday season? Are there any ways you have found to cut costs? What were your favorite Christmas time memories? I would love to hear from you!