The best sustainable Christmas decorations for an eco-friendly festive season

Deck the halls the eco-friendly way this year with the best sustainable Christmas decorations for 2021.

While the shops may have been displaying the Christmas decorations as early as the August Bank Holiday Weekend, consider investing in some pieces that you don't feel the need to repurchase every year. We all want to do our bit to help the planet, and by switching out your plastic baubles and tinsel for lovingly handmade Christmas tree decorations, garlands, Christmas tree skirts, Christmas wreaths, and more, you can create a winter wonderland that's a little kinder on the environment. 

Below, our favorite sustainable Christmas decorations that are going to help you enjoy a guilt-free holiday season in style.

 Best sustainable Christmas decorations  

Biodegradable, plastic, and glue-free, this super cute dachshund tree ornament from national healthcare charity, Sue Ryder, is a charming addition to any Christmas tree. 100% of profits go towards supporting the charity’s palliative, neurological, and bereavement care.

Made from recycled glass and natural jute, this gorgeous garland will add a beautiful festive touch to any fireplace. These elegant baubles add a touch of sophistication to Christmas decorating.

Fan-favorite fragrance company, Glasshouse makes some of the best scented candles from all-natural ingredients. This Naughty and Nice candle is made from vegan-friendly soy wax and is presented in a beautiful glass jar that will serve as an elegant vase long after the sweet candy cane-scented candle has been burned down. 

Bring the outdoors in with some festive foliage. This seasonal bouquet will last around two weeks and features red hypericum berries, spruce, conifer, Latvian pine, and a touch of cinnamon.

Celebrity-favorite jewelry brand The Last Line has expanded into the homeware space with a selection of playful designs to take your tablescape to the next level. The Zodiac Star Linen Napkins are hand-embroidered and will add a touch of shimmer to your Christmas dinner parties—and beyond! 

Add a vintage flair to your home this Christmas with this bunting inspired by yesteryear. Handmade with genuine 1930s vintage playing cards to spell out 'NOEL', this bunting is a fun and unique way to spread the festive cheer. 

Long gone are the days of Christmas crackers with another tape measure and dad joke—there are plenty of luxury Christmas crackers options out there. These personalized crackers are 100% recyclable and 100% plastic-free, with no compromise on sophistication or snap when pulling. Uniquely tailored to you, each cracker is designed with hand-written calligraphy on the front. Inside, you'll find a pre-mixed double measure cocktail, mocktail, or hot chocolate, along with an acorn so after you’ve enjoyed your cocktail, you can grow your own tree in the empty glass bottle.

 Can you buy sustainable Christmas decorations? 

Wondering where to get your hands on the best sustainable Christmas decorations? A good place to start is sites like Etsy and Amazon Handmade that offer unique and handmade items from small businesses and independent sellers across the globe. 

Additionally, sourcing out sustainable and eco-friendly Christmas decorations from charity shops and thrift shops will add to the magic of the festive season. Not only will you be adorning your home with special, pre-loved items, you'll also be donating to a good cause. 

Hayley Comber-Berry, Director at Treemendous Change, has seen an increase in people taking steps towards living a more eco-friendly life. "I work closely on the ground with individuals and businesses who are looking to offset their carbon footprint. This year, I have found a lot of people are planning to reuse/recycle for their Christmas decorations," she tells woman&home. "here’s been a huge rise in DIY recycle tutorials, particularly on TikTok. From origami stars made out of old books to reusing cardboard to create bunting and decorations. A lot of people are also going foraging this year to make their own wreaths and centerpieces."

Fabric and craft brand, JOANN, is committed to ethical sourcing. Chief Marketing Officer, Rob Will, notes, “We source products from all over the world and one of the most important things that we can do is actually make sure that they are being produced in the best possible way. In terms of how the factory workers are treated, the wages that they’re paid, and most importantly the sustainability of the factories that we do business with. We hold our factories to the very highest standards, very similar to retailers that are much, much larger than ourselves. And that’s because we believe very deeply that we want our products to come from a very good place because we know they’re going to go to a great place whenever they get here in the US.“

If you're trying to make more sustainable choices, you could also take a look at our guide on the best sustainable Christmas gifts and sustainable clothing brands.