Make your holiday season merry, bright and more sustainable by considering the environment when it comes to your seasonal décor choices.

According to Advanced Scientist and Green Teams Lead Jessica Shaffer, it doesn’t take much extra effort or time to do so – and you can even save money in the process.

“Not everyone is into do-it-yourself (DIY) crafting and upcycling. I am not a great crafter myself,” said Jessica. “If you’re not into DIY, purchasing items that are made from recycled materials from sustainable vendors or websites like Esty is great.”

She recommends thinking of ways to incorporate the three Rs in your approach to the holiday season: reduce, reuse and recycle.

“At the very least, try and avoid purchasing new trees and decorations and jumping on every new hot trend each season,” she added. “And make sure your trees and decorations are being used until the end of their lifecycle and recycle them when possible.”

Here are some additional tips to help make your holidays green and bright:

Trees

• Purchase a potted Christmas tree that can be replanted afterwards – live trees are good for the environment and soak up carbon in the air.
• If you’re not able to purchase a live potted tree and opt for a live cut tree, make sure it is composted afterwards to be more sustainable. You can also check your local area for tree recycling programs.
• If you own an artificial tree, please use it until the end of its life to prevent waste. An artificial tree has a carbon footprint of about 40kg, which is more than double that of a live, discarded tree.
• Consider decorating large potted trees (that are not Christmas trees) that you may already have in your house as a substitute Christmas tree.
• Upcycle and make a Christmas tree out of things like driftwood, beach glass or household items you can give new purpose to creatively. The above picture showcases a Christmas tree displayed at a Cranberry, Pa., municipal building that is made entirely of old whiffle balls painted green to create festive, earth-friendly decor.

Lights

• Be sure to use LED lights which consume less electricity and last longer. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, a good quality LED bulb can last three to five times longer than a compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) and 30 times longer than incandescent bulbs.
• Look for lights that are ENERGY STAR® certified.
• Consider solar powered decorations and lights.
• Put lights on a timer or turn them off in the daytime, when you’re not home or asleep.

Decorations
Consider crafting, upcycling and making your own Christmas decorations. Ideas include cinnamon stick stars, orange slice ornaments, pinecone ornaments, sock snowmen, paper snowflakes and cranberry and popcorn garland.

Wreaths and Garland
Make wreaths, garland and other decorations out of live pine cuttings, pinecones and other vegetation instead of purchasing a plastic one.

Stockings

• Make your own stockings from scrap clothes, sweaters and fabric.
• Buy stockings that are made from recycled materials and re-use them until the end of life.
• Make sure stocking stuffers are thoughtful gifts that can be used like coffee, tea, snacks, candy and personal care items – avoid cheap fillers made from plastic.

Wrapping Paper

• Buy recycled wrapping paper or reuse your old wrapping paper.
• Use brown paper grocery bags as wrapping material.
• Reuse packing paper from delivery parcels.
• Use a cloth wrapping from old sheets or clothes, this can be re-used over and over.
• Save and re-use gift bags and bows.

Dinnerware
Use reusable and washable tablecloths, silverware, placemats, plates, napkins and containers for leftovers instead of Styrofoam or plastic.