How to Have a Less-Toxic Holiday

Ah, the holidays. The best time of the year where we all get together and celebrate what matters the most, family! With that being said, I think for many of us living a more non-toxic life, these times can also be worrisome as other family members may not be as inclined to create the safe environment as we’d prefer! So, I thought what better way to encourage your entire family to have a safe holiday season than to compose a list of my top tips + tricks for creating the happiest of less-toxic holidays!

Choosing the Best Type of Holiday Tree-

I am not sure this debate can ever be won so I won’t try to convince you which tree is better, between choosing a real or fake tree, but here are some things to consider! If you are bringing in a real tree, don’t forget that tree can be covered with paint, bugs, pesticides, and mold. It’s always a good idea to give your tree a bath using a non-toxic cleanser and then make sure you let it FULLY dry, outside, before you bring it in. Many tree farms are also known for painting their trees green which, of course, I want to avoid as it defeats the entire point.

If you do opt for a fake tree, things to consider are the trash it creates and the toxic materials most are made of. Try to find one that is not coated with flame retardants and made from Polyethylene instead of PVC. Cleaning hack, you can also pack the above cleanser concentrate to travel with as this makes for a great hand wash, detergent, and dishwashing product all in one easy-to-pack, travel size!

Clean Air + Water-

If you think about it, the holidays welcome in SO much air pollution into our homes. Perhaps you just got a new holiday tree, both real or fake have their issues… or maybe you went a little crazy shopping for lots of new gifts or decor that may be leaching toxins into your air and let’s not forget, lots of new guests into the home which means lots of new germs! You will also be cooking which creates carcinogenic smoke and if you are anything like me, you will have lots of pets around.

Enter in my trusty air filter!

If you follow me on social media, you will know by now that one of my greatest concerns is always the air we are breathing in and making sure it is free of mold, viruses, VOCs, gases, cooking smoke, smoke, mycotoxins, toxic chemicals, dust mites, pollen, pet dander, bacteria and more. I truly believe the air we breathe is one of the most important parts of living a healthy life, especially when you have 6 dogs… which is why I don’t mess around when it comes to keeping the air in my home as clean as possible. My all-time favorite filter is the AirDoctor and yes my code still takes $280 OFF!

Now, when it comes to water, I am a major water snob, I will not drink tap and it’s because I have read my water reports! I know what is in tap water and it’s not pretty. Another great gift idea hehehe to whoever you will be visiting is my favorite water filter by Aqua Tru! Just get it delivered in time for the holidays and boom, now you have the gift of clean water for your whole family. My code takes almost 40% OFF!

Non-Toxic Holiday Scents-

I don’t know about you but one of the best parts of the holidays is the cozy vibes of aromatic candles that smell of home-baked apple pie or a freshly cut Christmas tree right!? But, who wants to be inhaling hormone-disrupting candles or room sprays? I personally cannot be in a home that still uses Febreeze, potpourri, conventional candles, or toxic fragrances so for those that are scent sensitive, like I am, I carry a variety of cleaner options with amazing holiday scents to choose from. Here are better options for creating a festive yet non-toxic home scent this year!

• Non Toxic Home Fragrances– Check out my fave room sprays!
• Non Toxic Candles– The best clean candles with amazing holiday scents!
• Home Diffusers + Organic Essential Oils– Grab a diffuser + a festive EO blend and set the vibe.

Organic PJ Sets-

Another fun part of the holidays is finding matching pajamas the whole family can use and enjoy, however, did you know that most clothing is covered in toxic flame retardants and made from low-quality, irritating materials!? One of my favorite Organic clothing companies, Pact, is coming out with matching holiday PJs so keep an eye out! In the meantime, until they are released, they have a ton of safer options the whole family can enjoy! Code ORGANICBUNNY also saves you at checkout!

Organic Meal Delivery Options-

Don’t want to spend a ton of time cooking this year!? I feel that! Currently, my favorite Organic meal delivery service is the Green Chef, however, there are a few that I have enjoyed in the past as well! I don’t know about you but one of the main reasons I do not travel a ton is the food options. The below options can be pre-delivered wherever you are going to ensure you have healthy options, wherever you end up this holiday season OR these are the perfect places to stock up on if you have a picky Patty, like me, that will be in town.

• Green Chef- They offer pre cut up, Organic ingredients so all you do is put them together + cook! You can take $55 OFF with my link.
• Daily Harvest- These are pre-made, Organic frozen meals you could spice up into bigger meals or grab some soups or sides! My link saves you $40 OFF!
• Farm Fresh To You- Want to ensure your produce is Organic? Deliver some wherever you’re heading! Stock up on jams, eggs + produce all in one spot. Take $15 OFF your first box.
• Vital Choice Seafood & Organics- The only place I will eat fish from as it is all wild, tested for contaminants and flash frozen.
• Thrive Market- My faveorite place to stock up on healthy snacks and baking products! You can sort by Organic, Vegan, Gluten-Free etc. which makes ordering supplies a breeze! I ordered all of my stocking stuffer snacks off here! My link will take $30 OFF your next order.

Non-Toxic Cookware-

One of the biggest reasons we rarely eat out, besides the obvious, is because of the pots and pans most places use. Non-stick pans leech so many chemicals into our foods so a huge thing to be sure of is the types of pots and pans being used to cook your family’s meals. One brand that I really enjoy is the Xtrema Cookware brand. While there are small issues with pretty much every choice out there, this brand is made from 100% pure ceramic, making it one of the best options there is.

All pans meet California’s Prop 65 standards, certifying that they are free of more than 800 compounds that may cause cancer, birth defects, or reproductive harm. Their pans are also tested for heavy metals like lead and cadmium. What a perfect gift to “give” that family member you are visiting that is still using a Teflon-coated, non-stick pan am I right!? My affiliate link above should save you 10% OFF!

Cleaner Wine + Cocktails-

I by no means am a purist, however, one of my hard lines in the sand is never drinking cheap or low-quality alcohol. Alcohol is already bad enough for us so if I do indulge it HAS to be Organic or Biodynamic and this is one rule I am pretty strict with! I actually carry these super cute Organic infusion blends, all you do is add in your own Organic alcohol and then go! You could add Organic tequila and then have your very own cocktail to enjoy.

Or, an even better idea is to stock up on my favorite Organic Wine brand for the entire family to enjoy a better drink! Dry Farm Wines make only natural, non-toxic wines that are sugar-free, lab tested for purity + Organically grown. I personally always have the Rose + Sparkling options in stock as it’s really nice to have that to offer if guests come over wanting a drink.

Mindful Shopping-

Back in the day, I used to go crazy buying friends and family tons of pointless gifts but those days are long gone. Honestly, if Kyle doesn’t have his heart set on something, and vice versa, we do not exchange gifts. Gifts are fun but when you think about what we are giving our loved ones, the ugly truth can poke through quickly. Are we gifting them perfumes that will disrupt their hormones? Are we giving them more devices that will distract them from being present with us? Are we buying a bunch of random, low-quality gifts off big-name sites like Amazon?

Now, if I do give a gift, it is something that I feel will improve the person’s life. Whether it is some new non-toxic skincare or some new Organic bedding, here is your reminder that gifts should come from the heart and quality is always more important than quantity!

If you need help picking out the perfect gift, we are always here to help! Email our holistic Esthetician Alex for FREE color matching, clean dupes, or a custom new skincare routine: [email protected]

And that’s it, for now! Anything I forgot!? Anything you want me to add!? Here is to a happy and non-toxic holiday season with those you love the most!