By Monica Macoubrie, Wildlife Education Specialist
The holiday season is a time of joy, warmth and celebration. As we deck the halls and light up our homes, let’s consider how our festive practices might impact the environment and local wildlife. By making mindful choices, we can create a holiday season that’s not only merry and bright but also beneficial to the creatures that share our environment.
Light Pollution?
For many people around the world, holidays—regardless of what is being celebrated—are a magical time of year, often highlighted by festive outdoor lighting displays. With many holidays falling around the winter solstice, these lights bring warmth and joy to the dark, cold days of mid-winter. But do holiday light displays contribute to light pollution? And should we be concerned?
While there isn’t a single universally accepted definition of light pollution, it is generally described as “any adverse impact caused by the use of artificial light at night.” This helps distinguish the beneficial uses of nighttime lighting from the known or suspected harmful effects it can have. Importantly, not all outdoor lighting qualifies as light pollution.
According to a 2014 NASA study, “nighttime light shines 20-50 percent brighter during Christmas and New Year’s compared to the rest of the year.” This pattern is also observed in other parts of the world. For instance, during the Islamic month of Ramadan, some Middle Eastern cities experience nighttime lighting that is more than 50 percent brighter than at other times of the year.
While we have limited data on the “adverse impacts” of this increased lighting on the nighttime environment, what we do know about light emissions and skyglow—the brightening of the night sky that makes it harder to see stars—suggests that the skies are indeed brighter during the holiday season.
Don’t Get the Holiday Blues
Given the nature of holiday lighting, should we be concerned? For most of the holiday season, the answer is likely “no.” The potential impact of light pollution from holiday lights is relatively small compared to the constant illumination of streetlights or buildings that remain on throughout the night year-round. In most cases, holiday lighting does not pose a significant environmental threat, especially when installed away from ecologically sensitive areas. So, it’s still possible to enjoy the warmth and charm of holiday lights without causing undue harm to the environment.
However, there are several ways to make holiday lighting more wildlife-friendly. First, consider using fewer lights overall. As David Hardisty, a University of British Columbia business professor, explains, “The first string of lights you put up adds a lot of holiday cheer. Having one string up versus none makes a big difference, but adding six strings instead of five barely changes anything.”
Second, be mindful of the color of your lights. Avoid using lights with a cool or blue tone, as blue light is particularly disruptive to wildlife and contributes significantly to skyglow. If you prefer white lights, opt for warmer hues that resemble the soft glow of a candle flame. These are less harsh on the eyes and cause less disturbance to nocturnal creatures.
Finally, use timers to control when your outdoor holiday lights are on, and be sure to turn them off at bedtime. Lights left on all night serves no real purpose and is a waste of electricity. Instead, limit illumination to the hours when people are most likely to be outside to enjoy them, ensuring they don’t disrupt the peaceful nighttime environment. By following these simple steps, we can continue to enjoy the festive ambiance of holiday lights while minimizing their impact on the natural world.
Mindful Soundscapes
The holiday season is often filled with the sounds of celebrations, music and fireworks. While these noises bring joy to many, they can have a significant impact on local wildlife. Loud sounds, such as those from music can cause stress in animals, leading to disorientation and changes in their behavior. For example, loud noises can cause deer, foxes and birds to flee their habitats or alter their migration paths. To ensure that wildlife is not disturbed during our celebrations, it is important to adopt practices that minimize noise pollution.
One way to create a quieter celebration is by opting for low-volume music. Keeping the volume at a moderate level reduces the impact of sound traveling long distances, especially in open areas or residential neighborhoods. This helps ensure that nearby wildlife is not overwhelmed by loud music. If using outdoor speakers, position them away from areas with high wildlife activity. Setting a time limit for music also helps avoid excessive disruption.
Finally, it’s important to respect quiet hours, particularly during early mornings and late nights when many animals are most active. Nocturnal species, including owls, bats and insects, rely on the quiet of the night for essential activities like hunting, foraging and communication. Excessive noise during these hours can disrupt their natural routines, leading to stress and disorientation. By keeping noise levels down during these times, we help ensure that wildlife can carry out their activities undisturbed. A simple way to do this is by ending celebrations earlier in the evening or minimizing noise during these crucial hours.
Natural and Biodegradable Decorations
The holiday season is a time to celebrate, but it’s also an opportunity to reflect on how we can reduce our environmental impact. One of the most effective ways to make your holiday decor more sustainable is by choosing natural and biodegradable decorations. These options not only add a rustic, organic charm to your home, but they also offer an eco-friendly alternative to plastic and synthetic materials. By opting for decorations that can break down naturally in the environment, you can enjoy the beauty of the season while minimizing waste and supporting sustainability.
One of the simplest and most popular choices for natural decorations is pinecones. These can be collected from the ground in forests or your backyard—just make sure to gather fallen materials rather than removing them from living trees, which can harm local ecosystems. Pinecones make an excellent addition to wreaths, garlands and table centerpieces. They add texture, warmth and a seasonal fragrance to your home.
Similarly, branches from trees like fir, spruce or holly can be woven into wreaths or used to create natural garlands. These elements not only bring the beauty of nature indoors, but they can be composted after the season ends, leaving behind no waste. Using materials that are sourced from nature reminds us of the beauty and bounty of the earth and encourages us to be more mindful of our environmental footprint.
Dried fruits and berries also make beautiful, biodegradable holiday decorations. These items can be strung together to create colorful, natural garlands or used in bowls and centerpieces. Dried orange slices, cranberries and apples are particularly popular choices, as their vibrant colors and sweet scents evoke the holiday spirit. These decorations can be hung on trees, mantelpieces or draped across dining tables. Once the season is over, you can compost the dried fruits, ensuring that nothing goes to waste. Additionally, the dried fruits can serve as a food source for birds and other animals during the winter months.
Another important step toward more sustainable holiday decorations is investing in reusable decor. While it may be tempting to purchase new ornaments every year, these items often come from plastic or other non-biodegradable materials that contribute to waste. Instead, consider investing in durable, high-quality ornaments made from natural or long-lasting materials such as wood, metal or glass. These decorations can be used year after year, reducing the need for constant replacements and limiting the environmental toll of disposable holiday items. Reusable decor can also have a timeless, classic appeal that adds a sense of tradition and sentimental value to your celebrations.
By incorporating wildlife-friendly practices into your holiday traditions, you can create a season of celebration that’s harmonious with nature. Small changes, like adjusting light schedules, using natural materials and reducing noise, can make a big difference for local ecosystems. This year, let’s celebrate the holidays with kindness toward our environment and the creatures that call it home.