Toxicity In Christmas Decor And What To Use Instead

I LOVE Christmas, like really REALLY love it. I love what it spiritually represents for me and I also love the love, joy, warmth, and coziness that for me, is also part of that. I also love turning our home into a wonderland and the gift giving and the magic! It really is the best time of year to me! We’ve been slowly but surely building our collection of Christmas decor through the years. This year when I went to get everything ready, I came across an article abt some problems in Christmas decor and did research to confirm. That was not a happy realization!!! Luckily there are still plenty of ways to decorate that are safe and beautiful! Before I begin, I want to say this is just to inform, not to stress you out!! People have been using decorations for a long time. There are concerns for toxicity, but in some cases, they are low. My approach is more abt just removing all the toxins I CAN control, so my body can better filter out the ones I can’t.

• Artificial trees
  • Most Christmas trees are made with PVC. This is a petroleum based plastic often bound with lead for stability. (Source). As it breaks down over time, it can form lead dust. There are lead free trees, however they contain other concerning chemicals (source, source, source)
  • How big of a risk is it? “The first phase of experimentation tested artificial Christmas trees in the laboratory for lead content in branches, lead transfer from hand contact, and lead dust levels under the tree. The second phase was based on a field-testing survey of households with artificial Christmas trees. Results from these experiments show that, while the average artificial Christmas tree does not present a significant exposure risk, in the worst-case scenarios a substantial health risk to young children is quite possible.” Here is a paper written summarizing studies in the Journal of Environmental Health from 2004 saying older PVC trees do pose a risk. Newer ones pose less of a risk (because they haven’t broken down), but still a risk and that consumers should wash their hands after touching and not allow children to touch (realistic, right?). It says I can’t copy and paste quotes from it here, so just go to the conclusion and read it.
  • What to do instead?
    • Organic, live trees. Organic so you don’t bring pesticides into your home. Concerned about sustainability? Me too. If it’s your property, you could plant it in your yard after Christmas. If not, donate it to a school or park, or sometimes there are companies that will take it and put it to use. Here is an example.
• Ornaments
  • Older ornaments are very likely made with lead paint in addition to leaded crystal and glass ones that are not lead free (source). Even some newer ornaments may be made with lead paint, especially those made in China (source). I couldn’t find any that claimed to be lead free. I’m sure there are some though (please pass along if you find them!)
  • What to do instead?
    • Wooden ornaments with no added chemicals or toxic finishes and with lead free paint
    • Cotton ornaments with safe dyes
    • Metal ornaments
    • Pine cones
    • Candy canes
    • Knitted or felt ornaments. To keep it eco friendly use ones made of recycled materials (not water bottles due to the bpa) or ideally natural materials.
    • Make your own
      • I am not crafty, but if you are dying to have ornaments, buy a non toxic paint (Ecos is a great option), glass ornaments (make sure they’re lead feee) and dip them in paint. Look up tutorials. Here’s one, but I’ve never done it!
  • • • You can also do homemade baked ones or let kids paint cards, etc.
      • Print pictures then back them with cute paper and hang (my kind of craft)
      • Google homemade ornaments and just use safe materials! Here are so many beautiful ones- just be sure to use non toxic materials!
• Garland
  • Unfortunately garland has the same issue as artificial trees
  • What to do instead?
    • Live garland (Trader Joe’s and Costco sell these for good prices!)
    • Wooden garland
    • Popcorn garland
    • DIY cotton ball garland (use strong string and only do if you are crafty and have patience for crafts. I am neither so this project was a nightmare 😂)
• Candles
  • Traditional candles and wax melts, though fun, come with so many health hazards. Here is a great article detailing the hazards, but in summary:
    • They contain VOCs that, when combined with the ozone in the air, can create formaldehyde.
    • Contains phalates which have been proven to be endocrine disrupters.
    • “Conventional candles can release toxic chemicals including formaldehyde, which is a known carcinogen, acetaldehyde, which is a probable human carcinogen, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons(PAH’s), some of which are known or suspected human carcinogens.”
    • Most are made from paraffin wax which can release chemicals that can lead to asthma, allergies, and cancer.
    • They contain “fragrance or “parfum” and are not required to disclose the exact ingredients. This can mean one or multiple of 2,000 ingredients, many of which are harmful (source).
    • Lead wicks, though not allowed are still used in production regularly. Always check the wick is 100% cotton (source).
  • What to use instead
    • If you already have a wax warmer, make sure it’s lead free glass or ceramic and fill it with beeswax. It purifies the air and is still cozy
    • Essential oils in a diffuser. My two favorite brands are Honestly Essential and Primally Pure’s seasonal blends (“christianne10” for 10% off at PP)
• • • As for actual candles, Make sure it’s 100% Beeswax, coconut oil, or soy because they can say soy candle and only be partially soy. Also confirm it’s 100% cotton wick (lead free). If it has essential oils, organic or wild crafted are best. I love Primally Pure’s seasonal candle and 100% beeswax candles. Here are some good options. I’m hoping to do a craft I saw (can’t find the article now!) of lining candle safe vases with dried oranges, then putting beeswax candle pillars inside!
• Glitter
  • Here is a great article on why glitter should be avoided. In summary it can be a hormone and endocrine disrupters and most are made from plastic which contribute to the microplastic problem (ending up everywhere including in fish, then in us as we eat fish)
• Scented items
  • Again, that pesky “fragrance”. Avoid anything with it! That includes the scented pine cones, etc.
  • What to use instead?
    • Room spray
    • Essential oils in a diffuser. Not all EOs are created equal. Here is a good article abt that. Do Terra, Young Living, Primally Pure and Honestly Essential have high standards (many others do too!) the latter is one of my favorites because they have high standards but are extremely affordable. Primally Pure is my other favorite. Their seasonal blends smell like heaven.
• Christmas lights
  • PVC plastic is used here too (source).
  • What to use instead?
    • Lead free Christmas lights. Unfortunately I could only find LED options which I try to avoid due to its effect on hormones, but I figure LED is safer than lead.

More reading

• How to Create a Non-Toxic Christmas

• Here are more beautiful DIY decorating ideas
• Non Toxic Christmas Decorations – How To Avoid Decorating Your Home With Toxic Chemicals