By Syona Paniker, Staff Writer
Image from dreamstime.com
Christmastime is here! It’s time to enjoy the company of loved ones, have a warm cup of cocoa, and, of course, spend as much money as possible on gifts destined for a landfill by February. From gifts, holiday decorations, and food, it should not come as a surprise that consumption during the holiday season is substantial—and so is the waste that comes with it.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, household waste increases by 25 percent during the holidays. With that in mind, here are a few ways to reduce waste this holiday season.
One of the most significant drivers of holiday consumerism is undoubtedly gift-giving. With the bombardment of ads and sales this time of year, it is hard to avoid impulse-buying cheap plastic stocking stuffers. Taking a step back and focusing on meaningful gifts rather than material ones is an effective way to reduce waste while adding a personal touch.
As Michele Guieu, a writer for Millennium Alliance for Humanity and the Biosphere(MAHB), a Stanford magazine, states, “Holiday presents should never have been about quantity and monetary value…They are about sharing love, a moment.” Buying experiential gifts, such as concert tickets, cooking classes, or museum passes, creates lasting memories without contributing to landfill waste.
Other sustainable gift-giving options include making handmade gifts, giving practical gifts, or even re-gifting items. Although regifting carries a stigma, finding ways to gift items that would otherwise go to waste can be beneficial to the environment.
Decorations and food waste are also major contributors to increased holiday waste. One of the simplest ways to avoid overconsumption during the holiday season is to reuse decorations and eat leftovers.
Despite Christmas decor being pushed as early as September, there is no need to buy new decorations every year. If something breaks, crafting a handmade decoration is a great way to stay sustainable and add to the holiday spirit. Bonus points if it is made using reused materials. Similarly, reusing wrapping paper or even opting for a gift bag can significantly reduce waste.
Choosing sustainability during the holidays transforms everyday traditions into opportunities for positive environmental change, so remember to keep these in mind while doing your Christmas shopping, and have a very merry Christmas!
Sources
“Greening the Season | Pacific Southwest: Reduce, Recycle, Reuse.” US EPA, https://19january2017snapshot.epa.gov/www3/region9/waste/recycling/index.html. Accessed 13 December 2025.
Guieu, Michele. “Celebrating the Festive Season without Mindless Consumption.” MAHB, 12 December 2022, https://mahb.stanford.edu/library-item/celebrating-the-festive-season-without-mindless-consumption/. Accessed 13 December 2025.
Wilkinson, McKenna. “Anti-consumerism: A practical holiday guide.” Calvinchimes, 22 November 2025, https://calvinchimes.org/2025/11/22/anti-consumerism-a-practical-holiday-guide/. Accessed 11 December 2025.
About the Author
