What will you do with your leftover holiday home goods this season?
There is endless inspiration for creating tasty dishes for holiday food leftovers online. But, what about your holiday home goods? This time of year can generate an array of seasonal items in your home including decorations, gift wrap, and even plant materials – which often end up in your local landfill. Here are some tips to help you find ways to be environmentally friendly by recycling or reusing your holiday items.
Gift Wrap
The holiday season is full of gift-giving and receiving. While beautiful gift wrap enhances the festive feeling, it isn’t always recyclable. Consider these creative ideas:
- Line your drawers or other storage areas with fun-patterned paper.
- Cherish new memories by using gift wrap in your journals, scrapbooks, and photo albums.
- Store delicate holiday decorations with crumpled-up or shredded wrapping paper, or as a filler in place of tissue paper for gift baskets or when sending packages.
- Ribbons and bows can often be reused, so store them in an easy to reach place with your non-holiday gift wrap and use throughout the year.
Holiday Trees and Greenery
If you celebrate the holidays with a live tree or wreath, most municipalities provide curbside recycling. However, you can recycle holiday greenery around your yard and garden.
- A holiday tree will have plenty of pines or needles – spread these around your garden plants to help balance the soil’s pH levels.
- Remove the branches from the tree and use the trunk in garden landscapes.
- Choose a live tree that can be planted in your yard after the holidays.
Table and Floral Arrangements
Seasonal floral arrangements and table linens are mainstays for many holiday gatherings. This year consider options that can transition well in your home, after the festivities come to an end.
- Transform holiday floral arrangements by changing the color palette and fresh flowers to reflex the current season.
- Skip purchasing holiday themed paper goods – opt for metallics, and rich hues that coordinate with your home’s décor.
- For linens, select a rich, deep traditional shade or crisp white for year round use in your dining room instead of bright holiday colors.
One final note, if you find you have decorations or other seasonal items that you no longer use, sell them online or at your next yard sale. Or better yet donate these items to others who could use them.
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