I won't belabour you with facts and guilt you about reducing your holiday waste. Maybe you think, "There's simply no way to uphold holiday tradition by completely overhauling our footprint." I mean...yes... yes there is. But! If you can't totally commit there are still ways you can cut back.
Wrapping
Save your wrapping! Fun fact - none of it can be recycled. So keep it. Even if it's torn to shreds (cause you can't open your gifts like a civil adult). No problem, keep what you can. Gifts come in all shapes and sizes and you can save the weirdest shred of wrapping after it's been used.
Better yet - my dad has wrapped gifts in newspaper my whole life and we look forward to the tradition every year.
Food
Let's be honest, food is the best part of the holidays. Go indulge! But:
Limit your food waste by:
Make your own meal instead of going out and if you do go out - don't be ashamed to bring a to-go container to the restaurant.
I won't come in and preach buying a tofu-rkey will save the environment - cause it won't! If you choose to opt for a turkey or to make a meat based meal - make sure it's locally sourced.
Be mindful of what you pack on your plate. Don't serve with your eyes - only put on as much food as you can eat and don't be afraid to go up for seconds - just don't waste what's on your plate.
Bring containers to generous friends' homes so you can pack a meal.
Freeze leftovers you know you won't plow through in a week.
Don't throw away the bones just yet, make a soup broth!
Gifts
Blogs will tell you, "Make a gift from the heart," but the fact is, we all fall into our habits of gifting for the people we love. So don't refrain from gifting this year, but think about what you're buying:
Get items that aren't perishable or have a longer lifespan.
Actually ask what to get friends and family to limit buying them items they might not use or donate in the end.
Buy items with limited packaging.
Get creative and buy toys/clothes/kitchen ware at thrift stores!
Purchase experiences or food that you're certain will get used up.
Offer your time, skill or service for friends and family. (Free PR consulting for everybody!)
Buy local and don't shop at Walmart if you can help it.
Sustainable action needs to happen now (ask Greta). But we are habitual creatures. Holidays are hard to give up, but the least we can do is try harder to do our part in even the smallest of ways.
Happy Holidays, friends!