Choosing a more eco-friendly holiday card might be a small thing, but hey—small things add up!
The sustainable Christmas cards I’ve rounded up are thoughtful options that combine creativity, meaningful messages, and a dedication to minimizing waste.
From plantable paper to recycled options to zero-waste ecards, I’ve tried to find an option for everyone.
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The truth is that, while traditional cards glitter and shine, they’re often not as Earth-friendly as we’d hope. They often come wrapped in plastic and many of the glossy prints are usually not recyclable nor biodegradable. That means they can contribute to our growing microplastic problem.
Plus, most cards use inks and dyes that may contain harmful chemicals or heavy metals detrimental to the environment and human health. To top it all off, Christmas cards are single-use items, generating a considerable amount of waste during the holiday season. They are often discarded after the holiday season, contributing to landfill accumulation.
So, we’ve got a few options:
- First, we can ditch physical cards altogether and opt for creative digital ecards instead.
- Or, we can choose plantable/biodegradable Christmas cards that turn into beautiful gardens!
- Lastly, we could choose a sustainable holiday card made of recycled paper, which can cut down on the overall carbon footprint.
Where to Buy Digital Cards
Greenvelope
This fantastic online platform offers a delightful array of customizable designs.
You have the freedom to infuse your personality into your tree-free Christmas cards, adding text, images, or even videos for that extra special touch.
And you don’t have to stop at Christmas, either… Celebrate birthdays, Valentine’s Day, anniversaries, and more with their occasion-specific cards, tailored to suit each festive moment.
To top it all off, Greenvelope offers the option to include digital gift cards from retailers like Nordstrom and Uber Eats to accompany your eco-friendly Christmas cards—if you wish!
Paperless Post
This online platform, lauded for its beautiful digital invitations, also boasts an impressive collection of stunning, eco-friendly holiday cards. The beautiful designs are crafted in collaboration with top-tier designers like Vera Wang, Marimekko, Kate Spade, and Rifle Paper Co.
The best part? You can send your warm wishes to up to 50 recipients for free with certain designs.
For a broader reach, you can purchase “coins,” which start at just $10 for 25 coins. These coins open up even more unique designs, allowing you to share the joy of the season with family, friends, and beyond.
You don’t have to share your tree-free cards via email either; you can easily send them via text message or even a shareable link that you can paste and post anywhere.
Want to Go With Snail Mail? Here Are Some Physical Eco-Friendly Holiday Cards
If you’d rather go the more “traditional” route and send cards in the mail, here are some of the most reputable greeting card companies that offer the cutest eco-friendly cards to send to your loved ones.
Cute Root (Plantable!)
Eco Features: Plantable seed paper cards (seeds last up to 3 years), 1 tree is planted for every purchase
Holidays: Christmas, Hanukkah, Thanksgiving, Halloween, Father’s Day, Mother’s Day, Easter, & more
Price Range: From $30
Spread joy with these plantable eco-friendly Christmas cards from Cute Root Co!
Available in singles and in packs, you can choose from over 20 beautiful plantable seed paper cards adorned in festive designs and ready to bring smiles to everyone on your list.
These biodegradable holiday cards are embedded with a mix of non-invasive wildflower seeds, including black-eyed Susan, alyssum, Siberian wallflower, and baby blue eyes. After the holiday festivities, soak the card in water and watch as the seeds sprout within 3 to 4 days. Carefully transfer the sprouted pieces into soil, nurture them, and soon you’ll have a beautiful mix of wildflowers, adding a touch of nature’s beauty to your world.
Friendsheep
Eco Features: 100% recycled paper with eco-friendly inks, 1 card = 2 trees planted, member of 1% for the Planet
Holidays: Christmas, Hanukkah, Father’s Day, Mother’s Day, Winter, & more
Price Range: From $6
These environmentally friendly holiday cards are made from 100% recycled paper and printed with eco-friendly inks.
The inside of the cards is a blank canvas, ready for your personal message. But you don’t have to do the writing yourself! If you want to add a heartfelt note, simply select the card as a gift option during checkout. Your message will be lovingly handwritten at no extra cost, making your gift truly unique and meaningful.
Use code THEFILTERY for 10% off.
Minted
Eco Features: FSC-certified recycled paper
Holidays: Christmas, Hanukkah, Thanksgiving, New Years, & more
Price Range: From $69 for 25 cards
Well known for their beautiful wedding invitations, Minted also offers recycled paper holiday cards. They’re crafted with FSC-certified 100% post-consumer waste for a smooth matte finish. Even better, they’re manufactured using wind power.
Minted allows you to personalize every detail, from the design and style to the message inside. Slide into the traditional cozy feel with a flannel-bordered card, or opt for a card adorned with seasonal greenery for that touch of nature’s magic.
Lastly, their packaging is also made from 80% recycled, post-consumer waste and/or plant-based materials. You can find out more about their sustainability initiatives right here.
Botanical PaperWorks
Eco Features: Plantable seed paper cards, biodegradable corn plastic packaging
Holidays: Christmas, Winter
Price Range: From $1.68
Delight your loved ones, your colleagues, or your employees with Botanical PaperWorks’ collection of cards made of seed paper!
These winter holiday cards are crafted using post-consumer recycled paper, effectively repurposing paper waste from local businesses and schools. This effort prevents ~10 tons of paper from reaching the landfill each year, making a positive impact on the environment.
Also, the wildflower seeds embedded within the paper are approved by reputable authorities such as the USDA and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency for planting in various locations worldwide, including the U.S., Canada, and the European Union.
They are extremely easy to plant, too. Simply place the card under a thin layer of soil and await the blooming of beautiful wildflowers.
Oh, and they have good options for corporate and business holiday cards as well.
Etsy
Eco Features: Plantable/biodegradable paper, handmade, non-toxic inks, and more
Holidays: Christmas, Hanukkah, New Years, Winter, & more
Price Range: Various
Etsy, of course, is one of the best places to find the most creative and eco-friendly Christmas cards that are handmade by small & indie creators.
Here are few of my favorite shops for eco-friendly and plantable cards:
Green Field Paper Company
Eco Features: Plantable, recyclable, made in USA, contains non-invasive & non GMO seeds and no synthetic chemicals or dyes
Holidays: Christmas, New Year, Winter
Price Range: From $4.95
Green Field offers a couple of different holiday card options.
Their “Grow a Note” cards are made with 100% post-consumer recycled paper embedded with non-invasive, non-GMO wildflower seeds. These socially conscious holiday cards are not just meant to be admired; they’re meant to be planted. Simply bury the card in soil, give it some water, and behold the blossoming of beautiful wildflowers.
Then they have a Hemp Heritage holiday card collection, which blends 75% post-consumer recycled paper with 25% hemp.
Lastly, the Junk Mail collection is made out of recycled junk mail! You can actually see fragments of junk mail in the paper, which is kinda cool.
P.S. Green Field Paper Company has plantable tree ornaments, too.
Worthwhile Paper
Eco Features: 100% recycled with water-based ink, screen printed by hand in Michigan
Holidays: Christmas, New Year, Hanukkah, Solstice, Winter
Price Range: From $5.50
Handcrafted with love in Ypsilanti, Michigan, Worthwhile Paper’s cards are screen printed on recycled paper using carefully hand-mixed water-based ink. In fact, the very paper used in these cards originates from a Michigan mill powered by hydropower!
As a bonus, a tree is planted for every order placed. I absolutely love how minimal and charming they are.
Graphic Anthology
Eco Features: FSC certified paper, designed & printed in the Pacific Northwest, USA
Holidays: Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Thanksgiving, Halloween, Father’s Day, Mother’s Day, Easter, & more
Price Range: From $5
This woman-owned business offers not just socially-conscious Christmas cards, but a message of sustainability and joy that you’ll be proud to share with friends and family. Every holiday card and envelope is crafted from FSC-certified recycled paper.
By the way, they have some Spanish greeting cards as well!
Paper Culture
Eco Features: 100% post-consumer recycled paper (& bamboo), every purchase plants a tree, certified B Corp, carbon offsets
Holidays: Christmas, Hanukkah, New Year, & more
Price Range: From $2.29
Paper Culture has made sure that no trees are cut down to create its stunning array of products. Instead, they utilize eco-friendly materials like 100% post-consumer recycled papers and sustainably grown and harvested bamboo.
And the choices you have! From postcards to personalized photo cards, Paper Culture offers an array of designs that can be tailored to your liking, allowing you to express your unique style and message. They also have corporate and business card options.
What’s more, Paper Culture plants a tree with each order and offsets its carbon footprint, earning them recognition as a Top 10 Climate Leader by the EPA and certification as a Green Business.
What Should You Look For In Sustainable Holiday Cards?
FSC-Certified or Recycled Paper Cards
Look for eco-friendly Christmas cards made from paper that is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) or crafted from recycled post-consumer waste. This ensures that the paper comes from responsibly managed forests or recycled materials, reducing the demand for virgin materials.
Plantable Cards
If you can, opt for a holiday card embedded with seeds that can be planted after use. These cards can transform into plants, adding a beautiful and eco-friendly element to your greetings. Your recipient will love them, and so will the butterflies!
Eco-Friendly & Non-Toxic Inks
Check if the cards are printed with soy/vegetable-based and water-based inks, which are renewable and have a lower environmental impact compared to synthetic petroleum-based inks.
Supporting Small Sustainable Brands
Choose environmentally friendly holiday cards from brands that prioritize sustainability, support environmental causes, or engage in reforestation efforts. Some brands plant trees or contribute a portion of their proceeds to conservation organizations.
Merry Christmas & happy (green) holidays!
P.S. Here are some other holiday-related articles you might be interested in as well:
