Simple Ways to Celebrate Sustainably

This year, we’ve compiled our favorite ways to stay green and sustainable while celebrating the holidays.. These ideas are easy to incorporate, add meaning to the season, and support the local community we love.

🎁 Choose Thoughtful, Low-Waste Gifts

Eco-friendly gifts don’t have to be complicated. Look for items made from recycled materials, handmade goods, or practical gifts people will actually use. Experiences are great too — museum memberships, show tickets, classes, or local adventures all create memories instead of clutter.

Denver favorites:

• Denver Botanic Gardens or Denver Zoo memberships
• Gift cards to local restaurants or neighborhood boutiques
• Sustainable shops like Zero Market, Lula Rose General Store, or holiday markets like the Horseshoe Market and Winter Wanderland

🎀 Wrap Smarter

Traditional wrapping paper often can’t be recycled, especially if it’s shiny or glittery. Instead, try kraft paper, fabric wraps, or reusable gift bags. Add natural touches like twine, pine sprigs, or dried oranges for a beautiful and sustainable look.

🛍 Shop Local When You Can

Shopping close to home reduces packaging and shipping waste — and supports Denver’s small businesses. Holiday markets, local craft fairs, and neighborhood shops offer unique gifts you won’t find online. Look for Certifiably Green Denver businesses, which meet sustainability standards and support eco-friendly practices.

✉️ Send E-Cards or Digital Greetings

A thoughtfully designed e-card or digital holiday letter is eco-friendly, quick, and easy to personalize. It’s a simple swap that reduces paper waste while still sharing holiday cheer.

💡 Use Energy-Saving Decorations

Switch to LED lights — they use significantly less energy and last longer. Add timers to keep displays festive without running all night. If you love holiday décor, check places like ReCreative Denver for secondhand decorations or donate your extras instead of tossing them.

🪵 Choose Battery-Free Gifts

Opt for gifts that don’t rely on single-use batteries: puzzles, books, board games, cozy winter gear, kitchen tools, or craft kits. These gifts last longer and create less waste.

🌎 Go Local With Your Tree & Post-Holiday Cleanup

If you get a real Christmas tree, Denver’s Treecycle Program turns trees into mulch for city parks and gardens — just remove ornaments and flocking. After the holidays, recycle plain wrapping paper and cardboard boxes, and set aside bows, ribbons, and bags to reuse next year. (Denver recycling doesn’t accept glitter or foil paper.)

💚 Give Back to Denver

If you love giving meaningful gifts, consider donating in someone’s honor to a local nonprofit. Some wonderful Denver organizations making a difference:

• The Park People — planting trees and growing Denver’s canopy
• Denver Urban Gardens — community gardens and neighborhood food access
• Groundwork Denver — environmental health and sustainability projects
• We Don’t Waste — reducing food waste and feeding Denver families