Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas! We will be back in a few days! Until then, enjoy browsing our archives for modern eco inspiration!

Last Minute Eco Ornaments

Time to put the final trimming on your tree before your holiday guests arrive? Use resources that you likely have around your home, such as loose buttons, to create quick last minute touches for your festive soiree.

Photo: Martha Stewart

Edible Cones

When in search of storage for small favors, rather than purchase paper cones, which will more than likely end up in the trash, organize your treats in edible waffle cones. Fill each waffle cone with small tasty favors, such as roasted nuts. Rest one cone at each place setting for an inexpensive and relatively waste-free favor option that is just as simple as it is sweet.

Photo: Food Network

Cranberry Ice Cubes

Add some festive color to your holiday bar display without the need to add extra waste. Sprinkle loose (compost-friendly) cranberries in your ice cube trays prior to freezing. Once frozen, fill all your ice buckets with these very merry ice cubes for an extra pop of holiday cheer.

Photo: Country Living

Cranberry Place Cards

There is no need to waste tons of money (and resources) in order to add a splash of festive color to your holiday table setting. Handfuls of cranberries (which can be cooked or composted after serving a decorative use) offer beautiful bursts of red to any tabletop. Fill small glasses and votive holders with cranberries as well as simple handwritten notes for instant holiday place cards. For an added pop of color sprinkle loose cranberries down the center of your table or around your holiday centerpiece.

Photo: Country Living

Elegant Recycled Holiday Décor

While cleaning up before your holiday guests arrive, be sure to think twice before tossing old magazines. With just a few easy steps you can transform these glossy pages into glittery decorative tabletop trees.

Photo: Martha Stewart

DIY Eco Ornaments

Create a unique holiday tree with these quick (and compostable) DIY ornaments. First, preheat your oven to 200 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Gather a variety of citrus fruits – including oranges, lemons, tangerines, blood oranges, grapefruits and the like – and cut into thin slices (be sure to discard any seeds). Spread the slices across the baking sheet and bake until they are dried out (about two to three hours), being sure to flip the fruit every half hour. Once the ornaments are completely dry and cool, pierce them with paper clips or ornament hooks.

Photos: Whole Foods & Whole Living 

Recycled Greeting Card Gift Tags

Too many holiday greeting cards left over from last year? Before you toss them into the trash consider reusing them to create charming DIY gift tags. The festive artwork will add an extra dose of holiday cheer to all of your presents this season.

Photo: Martha Stewart

Nostalgic Ornaments

Put old seed packets to good use this holiday by transforming them into colorful eco-friendly ornaments. Don’t have any lying around? Look to online retailers and local botanical gardens for vintage seed packets that contain unique heirloom seeds (as well as beautifully nostalgic artwork). Come January consider putting the packets aside until the warm weather months when the seeds can be added to your garden.

Photo: Martha Stewart

Silver and Gold

Beat the winter blues this year with an eco-chic bouquet made from silver, gold and ivory-hued vintage brooches. After your ceremony set the bouquet in a festive vase to display with your holiday décor.

Photo: Emmaline Bride