The holidays are often associated with excess—more shopping, more packaging, more pressure—but evidence shows this pattern is shifting. Environmental studies consistently report spikes in household waste and energy use during the festive season, while behavioral research suggests that simplicity and mindful consumption reduce stress and improve well-being. As climate awareness grows, many people are questioning whether holiday joy truly depends on how much we buy. Can fewer decorations still feel warm? Can smaller choices create meaningful change? Across cultures, traditions are quietly evolving toward reuse, restraint, and presence. Rather than dramatic overhauls, research-backed approaches show that small, repeatable habits—using less energy, creating instead of consuming, and focusing on shared moments—can make celebrations both lighter on the planet and richer in experience. The following perspectives explore how simple shifts are redefining modern holiday traditions.

Low-Waste Guides Connect Planet-Minded Shoppers

I got tired of seeing all the waste from our Christmas campaigns. So we created guides with low-waste gift ideas and digital cards, and people actually used them because they were practical. Turns out, sharing these eco-friendly options is the best way to connect with others who care about the planet. That’s the direction we’re heading in now.

David Cornado, Partner, French Teachers Association of Hong Kong

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Simple Moments Ease Holiday Stress

Christmas has a way of making you slow down and notice the little things. I tell my clients who get stressed by the holidays to try focusing on something simple, like the cold air or the sound of snow. It pulls you out of the shopping frenzy and back into the present. Even a short walk or a few deep breaths can make the whole season feel different.

Amy Mosset, CEO, Interactive Counselling

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Start Small: Solar Lights, Less Excess

Last Christmas, I showed franchise owners how to power their holiday lights with solar. The response was great. They weren’t just interested in cutting costs, they got excited about doing more with fewer lights. We had some real conversations. My take is to start small. Sometimes the most lasting changes just come from cutting back a little on the excess.

Bennett Maxwell, CEO, Franchise KI

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Simple Art Sessions Shift Holiday Habits

A family told me they started weekly coloring sessions paired with talks about reducing holiday waste, and suddenly both kids and adults were paying more attention. I’m not saying coloring fixes anything, but it gives people a good reason to pause. Sometimes that little moment of creating something simple is enough to make you rethink other small habits.

Vasco Lourenço, Owner, Colorful Sunday

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Choose One Earth-Friendly Holiday Tradition

On my podcast about Hawaiian holidays, I learned about malama `aina, which means caring for the land. It’s amazing how this one idea changes Christmas for people. They tell me they’re trading the gift-frenzy for beach clean-ups or making decorations from natural stuff. It’s not about being perfect, just about trying something different. My suggestion? Pick one small, earth-friendly tradition this year and give it a shot.

Bryan Murphy, Owner, Hawaii’s Best Travel

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Keep Decor Minimal for Warmth and Ease

Staging homes for the holidays taught me something. Less really is more. A few pinecones or some old ornaments make a room feel warm, not crowded. And it’s not just about looks, using LED lights or secondhand decor actually helps. Honestly, a simpler Christmas means less stress and more time to actually enjoy the people you’re with.

Brandi Simon, Owner, TX Home Buying Pros

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Switch to LEDs, Cut Holiday Energy

Christmas always makes me think about how much power we burn through. I got tired of it a few years ago and switched all my old light strings to LEDs. I also set the heat to turn off while I’m at work. My electric bill isn’t as scary now, and the house still feels warm and festive. You really don’t have to waste a ton to enjoy the season.

Lara Woodham, Director, Rowlen Boiler Services

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Reusable Bento Boxes Elevate Gift Wrap

I sell Japanese products, and last Christmas I tried a little experiment. I put gifts in reusable bento boxes instead of throwaway wrapping paper. The boxes sold out first. When you wrap things in something people can use again, it feels less like one more thing to throw away and more like part of your gift.

Falah Putras, Owner, Japantastic

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Simple Touches Transform Holiday Space

The holidays always make me want to slow down. Last week I just put a simple pine branch and a candle on my desk. That’s it. Suddenly the space felt different, quieter. It’s a good reminder that you don’t need much to actually enjoy the season.

Juri Korotenkich, Admin, YM-Graphix

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Solar Holiday Lights Spark Savings and Talk

Last Christmas I swapped our regular lights for solar-powered ones. Our energy bill went down a bit, and my neighbors started asking where I got them. We ended up talking about how much power all these holiday decorations use. It’s not some big fix, but it was a simple change that kept the festive feeling without the bill shooting up.

Joseph Melara, Chief Operating Officer, Truly Tough Contractors

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Skip Gifts, Gain Calm and Connection

Working with families, I’ve seen how holiday shopping stress wears everyone down. Last year we had some families skip the gift frenzy and just focus on spending time together. The difference was striking – way less tension, more actual laughter. Instead of running around stores, they played board games and cooked together. If you’re feeling the holiday pressure, try giving yourself a few days without the shopping madness. You might not want to go back.

Aja Chavez, Executive Director, Mission Prep Healthcare

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Upcycled Crafts Reframe Needs and Joy

Christmas seems to make people think about how much they actually need. At my school, we had students make holiday decorations out of scrap materials and trash. Seeing how proud they were of their creations said more than any lecture could. It showed me that small changes can really shift how you see things, not just for the planet but in your own life too.

Carmen Jordan Fernandez, Academic Director, The Spanish Council of Singapore

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