Experiences rather than things are a great option – especially for those who already seem to have it all.

• Museum memberships
• Sonoma County Regional Parks Pass
• Gift certificates to restaurants and event/music venues
• Digital newspaper or magazine subscription
• Audio book subscription
• Exercise classes, gym membership, or smartphone exercise app
• Scavenger hunt
• Escape room
• Cooking, creative arts, photography, or writing class – many available through SRJC Community Education
• Sporting event tickets
• Donating to a local nonprofit

If you opt for consumable items, consider homemade vs. store-bought and local vs. big box. Also, look for durable, energy-efficient, goods, gifts that give back, and items that can be recycled or composted at their end of life. Choose email receipts, items with minimal packaging, and opt out of free gifts with purchase.

• Cookies, baked goods, or salty snack mix in mason jars
• Homemade soup mix in a mason jar
• Beeswax or Soy candles, or soap made with essential oils
• Hand knitted, stitched, or crocheted items
• Original artwork
• Wooden children’s toys
• Shampoo bars - see options from Eco Roots
• Dedicate a planted tree - see options from Trees for a Change
• Coffee beans bought in bulk
• Fresh baked bread
• Growler of beer or wine
• Candied fruit peels
• Bamboo toothbrush
• Reusable cloth produce bags - see options from Eco Roots
• Beeswax food wrap - see options from Homebody Refill
• Reusable cutlery set with carrying case - see options from Eco Roots and the Refill Mercantile
• Cloth napkins
• Reusable paper towels - see options from the Refill Mercantile
• Solar lanterns
• Glass food storage containers
• Microfiber filter for your washing machine - see options from Cora Ball and the Girlfriend Collective

Here is how to dispose of your holiday gift wrapping:

Hosting a Party:

• Buy groceries with a specific number of servings in mind: the “Guest-imator” tool is handy!
• Forego aluminum foil wherever possible in favor of compostable parchment paper
• Provide reusable silverware and cloth napkins; avoid disposables.
• If you have a large group, consider using Green Mary’s Eco Food Service Library and reusable dishware
• Use a Turkey Hotline for meat and poultry questions or to remedy any mistakes you make in the kitchen
• Serve in shifts to prevent food from sitting out too long and going bad.
• Ask guests to bring containers for leftovers. Provide some containers for those who may forget.
• Provide convenient bins for recycling and organics
• Use "Alexa" to learn tips for food storage
  
• Make a stock out of turkey skin/bones, and veggie trimmings
• Cook up the turkey giblets and serve to your four legged friend
• Share a meal with a friend who didn't go home for the holiday or perhaps an elderly neighbor
• Make a pasta, curry, or frittata with leftovers or create something delicious using leftover recipes.
• Bring a meal to a friend or elderly neighbor, or store leftovers in the freezer if needed

Attending a party:

• Bring your own plate, cup, and silverware if you know there will only be disposable options
• Say no to plastic straws
• Offer to collect organic waste for your host
• Bring a container for leftovers
• Make use of those leftovers with more leftover recipes!

Cards

Holiday Cards have short life span, and often end up in the garbage bin. Go paperless, and your friends and family can keep that memory long after the holidays are over. There are many online vendors that provide elegant, customizable paperless options for the holidays and any occasion.

Choose cards that are not glittery or those that light up or sing. Glitter flecks are made of small pieces of plastics (microplastics) that pollute waterways, and the batteries that power these cards must be removed and recycled separately at an appropriate battery collection site, as they can explode if placed in curbside bins with other items. Cards with glitter cannot be recycled and must be placed in the garbage.

Trees

Consider using a living, potted plant or tree instead of one from a tree farm. If you are able to cut your unflocked, real tree to fit inside your curbside green bin, the local haulers will accept it for compost. Otherwise, please call the Christmas Tree hotline at 707-565-3333 for home pickup by local non-profits ($7-10 donation suggested).

Artificial trees are also a good alternative, as they can be reused each year – especially if you don’t have easy access to a curbside yard waste bin so that a real tree can be composted. If you can get an artificial tree secondhand, and use it for 10 years+, then you will have offset the carbon emissions from its production. Or if you’re looking to save some space, you can make a tree using sticks and twine like this one or even wine corks.

Decorations

When it comes to decorating zero waste style, it’s all about using things you already have, can acquire second hand, or easily find in nature. Some ideas for a natural look include pinecones and tree branches, garland made from red fallen leaves, cinnamon sticks, and foliage which can be reused each year or composted. Try not to get sucked into buying new trinkets you truly don’t need – it will save you the agony of packing up additional décor at the end of the holiday season.

When it comes to ornaments, choose ones that you will enjoy displaying year after year. Switch to LED string lights for your home and tree if possible. Old holiday lights cannot be recycled in the blue curbside recycling carts, but may be recycled through our e-waste recycling programs at each county transfer station and e-waste events.