The winter holidays are as good a time as any to be circular—and may even help you save money this year. 79% of Canadians plan to spend less during this giving season. Here’s a wrap-up of great tips and tricks we’ve seen from our community on social media and from the team at Circular Innovation Council to keep your Christmas and winter holiday season cheaper and more sustainable—for the planet and your community.

1. Shop secondhand

  • Great gifts don’t need to be purchased brand new! Check out resale sites, like Kijiji, Facebook Marketplace, and eBay. (@Skwastereduction)
  • Shop Local: find your next great thrift gift at a local secondhand or vintage shop, which helps keep more money in your local community. See Newlifestyleabb’s post for inspiration on giftable secondhand items.

2. Swap or exchange

  • Join your local Buy Nothing group online and see what’s available nearby (@buynothingproject)
  • Want to gift but have a tight budget? See if there is a local clothing/item swap near you, like those hosted by @Fridaysforfutureottawa, or host your own!
  • Regifting: received a gift that you don’t need or want? Don’t be ashamed to regift it to someone who you know will cherish it.

3. Gifting reusables

Know someone who would be interested in trying alternatives to single-use items? Why not gift them these great alternative options: stainless steel food containers, beeswax food wraps, fabric elastic bowl covers, or mesh produce bags to help them make the switch? Not only are you providing great gifts, but you’re helping them cross the potential barrier of upfront “investment” in quality reusables.

4. Non-physical gifts

  • The perfect gift doesn’t always need to be a physical product. Give the gift of an experience –like tickets to an upcoming concert, sports game, or a day at the spa. One of the best parts is that you can enjoy the gift too and spend meaningful time with your friend or family member.
  • Instead of spending time shopping for a gift, spend time with loved ones and make memories.
  • Choose a charity that does meaningful work aligning with your gift recipient’s interests and make a donation on their behalf. For example, you can symbolically “adopt” a species with proceeds going to the World Wildlife Fund.

5. DIY décor

  • Consider skipping plastic décor where possible – especially cheap materials that will likely only be used for one season.
  • Salvage materials from your recycling bin to upcycle (@Skwastereduction).
  • Use natural and compostable materials, like popcorn on a cotton string or make garland or a wreath with branches and pinecones.
  • The inside of some multi-material packages can be beautifully metallic – why not use your tomato paste tubes or toothpaste tubes in your crafts? Cut them open, clean off any product residue, and go to town cutting out themed shapes. Use the cutouts in stringed décor for a flashy touch (@Krystalynngier).
  • Got toilet paper rolls lying about? You can easily turn them into beautiful stars and other décor with a bit of paint (@_laura_prietto).
  • Delicious décor and gift wrapping? Say no more. Use sprigs of rosemary to make little wreaths with twine. It’s easy and smells great (@Woodlark).
  • (parrotandparsnip): If you’re a crafter, consider making a scrap-fabric “memory” tinsel (@parrotandparsnip).
  • @Sarah.robertson.barnes: “Natural holiday decor >>> big box store trends Make these eco-friendly ornaments using ugly or reduced to clear citrus. Throw some pine cones, dried cranberries, and cedar bits from the yard on the mantel and your holiday decorations are sorted.”
  • Did you know that artificial Christmas trees have a carbon footprint 3x greater than natural trees? Consider a real tree when deocorating your home this holidays. Check out @davidsuzukifdn‘s breakdown to learn more about why real trees are the more eco-friendly option.

6. Mindful consumption

  • What is the item’s end-of-life?
  • Where was it made, and by whom?
  • What materials is this item made of? Is it made of sustainable material?
  • How far will this item have to travel to make it to my doorstep?

7. Clothing and textile consumption

  • Source your next favourite ugly sweater secondhand—there are lots of options to choose from.
  • Instead of buying new clothes for gifts, why not attend a clothing or item swap, or find something unique for free through a Buy Nothing group?

8. Gift wrap alternatives

  • The thrift store is full of scarves and textiles. Why not swap wrapping paper with a cloth wrapping that doubles as an extra gift for the recipient? Here’s a guide on how to wrap with cloth using the Furoshiki technique. Fabrics that are not too thin, not too thick, and tie-able work best.
  • Wrap your gifts in newspaper, or flatten out crinkled packaging paper, and write/draw directly on the gift. This includes writing the to/from tag! (@Athomewithxin)
  • Use boxes you already have lying around instead of buying new. If you’re not ready to pack gifts yet, simply flatten the boxes and store away (under the couch, bed, or behind a bookcase) so they’re out of the way.
  • For a fun flair that’s part of the gift being given, buy secondhand baskets of different shapes, colours, and textures to house smaller gifts.

9. Power and water

  • ⚡ It’s important to maintain important energy-saving and waste reduction practices every day, and holiday seasons are no exception. Make sure to turn off your devices when not in use, being extra mindful to turn off devices in the office and at home. Unplug unnecessary appliances to avoid phantom power usage if you’re traveling.
  • 💧 Given our water-rich perspective in Canada, it’s especially important to learn about the consequences of wasting water. Read about why we should care about how we use our water.
  • Using more dishes than normal over the holidays? If using a dishwasher, make sure to load them properly and turn off the drying setting to save energy. If hand washing dishes, reduce your impact on the environment using these suggestions.
  • Save energy and opt for LED lights when decorating your home and Christmas tree. Consider brands that are durable with light bulbs that can easily be replaced when needed.

10. Food and beverage consumption

  • The holidays are known for feasting and overindulgence. Being mindful of how much we consume, what we consume, and where our food waste goes is an important part of taking circular action.
  • Consider vegetarian or vegan dishes in your dinner celebrations this year to reduce resource consumption and your carbon footprint.
  • A recent study released in October 2024 by Second Harvest and partners  shows that the average Canadian household loses $3,872 CAD per year in food lost to food waste—up from $1,766 CAD per year in 2021. Despite this higher “bill”, we have made some progress in reducing our food waste. There’s still work to do. By using leftovers in new dishes and making sure as little as possible goes to waste, you can save money and reduce your carbon and resource footprint at the same time.
  • Consider composting at home! Over the winter, you can try a countertop composter or vermicomposting (which means composting with the help of worms—@the.box.of.life). Whether you have a countertop composter or vermicomposter at home, make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions to appropriately divert any remaining food scraps.

11. Behaviour change

  • Let’s work together to shift our cultural mindset away from single-use items and cheaply made products, to reducing our consumption and choosing options that are durable and can be reused again and again. Keep in mind that positive discussion is a healthier, more impactful way to shift behaviour. Avoid playing the blame game.
  • Think carefully about the number of physical gifts you purchase and give. Does everyone on your list want or appreciate gifts? Could you plan an event in lieu of a physical gift instead?

There are so many ideas out there for how to host sustainable holidays. From the team at Circular Innovation Council, we hope you have a very circular and merry holiday season ahead!