Eco-Friendly Holiday Decorating on the Cheap!

Well it's already the middle of December and you've likely already decorated if you are going to...I have! This year I dragged my live (potted) Christmas tree back indoors, marveled at how it nearly doubled in size and adorned it with all of my collected ornaments from kindergarten until today. It's a bit wonky but it's mine and that is what the holidays are really all about anyway; spending time with family, remembering childhood fantasies and eating like there is no tomorrow.

If you still have some decorating to do, or want to get some ideas for next year check out these Eco-friendly and organic, bargain holiday decorating tips.

Using what you have and enjoying who you’re with never goes out of style. This holiday season, find ways to trim your tree without trimming your bank account, as well as ways to give without taking a lot from our planet’s resources. Don’t think of purchasing less holiday decorations or fewer dinners out as cutting back, think of it as streamlining your healthier happier life!


Holiday Decorations

Holiday decorating (or any decorating) is about expressing your personal style and complimenting your architecture. Don’t be afraid to use found objects or unconventional color schemes in your holiday decor plans.

Fearlessly mix textures within the same tonal range. Similar colors love to play against each other’s unique textures and usually bring out the best in each other. Create an elegant, earth friendly holiday table setting by using a subtle repetition of various hues of burnt orange, berry, and gold. Seek out objects like an organic silk table runner, wool napkins, natural feather napkin rings, handmade fire clay dishes, and blown glass goblets.

For clients who don’t want over-the-top holiday cheer, I integrate seasonal elements from nature to subtly remind us of the elements that surround us. For example, I gathered fallen seedpods, preserving the bright green ones, and painting the brown ones silver. Together in simple bowls, they harmonized with the place settings and will last the whole month long.

Buying less holiday knick knacks means less clutter in your space, and fewer boxes in the garage. Why buy more table top decorations when everyone is going to keep giving them to you anyway?

The Tree

Many homeowners have become uneasy about the idea of “wasting” a tree every year for the sake of tradition. People who care about the environment, and/or just don’t want to haul another dead tree to the curb for trash pick up, are turning to re-usable faux trees. Although most synthetic trees aren’t made with earth friendly ingredients, they do last for years and can also be purchased secondhand. Some vintage Christmas trees are really delightful!

Another way to avoid dead Christmas trees is to purchase a small living tabletop-size tree that you can take outside after the holidays, care for it, watch it grow, and then bring in year after year to decorate it for the holidays. Note: If you buy a tree that is too large to begin with, this method won’t work well.

What do you do if you have collected a wild and crazy assortment of mismatched ornaments? First, give an honest assessment. If you have managed to collect ornaments that you aren’t in love with, it’s okay to let them go. Donate them to a local re-sale shop, church, or school. After this, assemble your remaining ornaments into groups. Once you have a clear picture of what you have, you can begin to prepare a plan. Let’s say that you have Grandma’s classic Victorian ornament collection and you want to modernize it; consider purchasing 2” chrome or teal Christmas balls as a unifying element that will add a fresh, minimalist feel to the mix.
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Sarah Barnard is a member of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), is certified by the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) and is recognized by the United States Green Building Council as a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Accredited Professional. Undertaking a broad range of projects, all of which are grounded in smart design and mindful of healthy living, Sarah’s diverse body of work includes upscale private residences, chic restaurants and impressive corporate headquarters. Ms. Barnard specializes in green design and historic preservation and is an active member of the Santa Monica and Los Angeles Conservancies. For more information please visit http://www.sarahbarnard.com/