Sustainable Gatherings: A Mindful Approach to Winter Celebrations

The world leans into its season of gatherings, reflection, and soft winter light this time of year. Instead of slipping down the rabbit hole of consumerism, I invite you to celebrate more gently. This time of year carries a natural magic—one we can honor by treading lightly, nurturing the earth as it rests during this season, and savoring moments that feel meaningful rather than material.

Here are earth-conscious tips to guide a more sustainable holiday season.

1. Choose Nature-Forward Décor

Bringing the outdoors in is more than a decorating choice—it’s a timeless tradition. Long before the modern holiday season began, communities across the world used natural elements to mark the rhythms of winter. Evergreen branches, dried fruits, and seed-bearing plants were cherished as reminders of resilience, continuity, and the quiet abundance of the earth during colder months. In many regions, people adorned their homes with greenery to symbolize life returning, warmth shared, and the comforting presence of nature even in the darkest season.

Today, we continue this beautiful tradition—often without realizing its ancient roots. By choosing natural materials for décor, we honor centuries of people who found hope and connection in winter’s landscape.

Think foraged greenery, dried citrus slices, pinecones, branches, seed pods, and seasonal flowers from local growers. These elements add texture and warmth while remaining gentle on the planet. When the season passes, compost them or repurpose them into potpourri, fire starters, or next year’s wreaths.

One of my favorite seasonal traditions is creating evergreen wreaths with material from the farm. We craft each of our live wreaths with love and intention, harvesting mindfully and sourcing everything we use (with the exception of the wreath form and floral wire) from the farm. 

From evergreen foliage fresh from the forest to nurturing botanicals like dried flowers, pinecones, and fruit, each wreath brings the beauty and spirit of nature into your home. 

Hanging an evergreen wreath on your door brings natural energy, protection, and healing to the entrance of your home. Additional decorations like dried flowers and fruit add in even more symbolic energy.

2. Wrap With Intention (and Reuse)

It’s so exciting to see a thoughtfully wrapped gift handed to you! The excitement and anticipation to find out what is inside is unbearable, no matter what age you are. Unfortunately, traditional wrapping paper often can’t be recycled—but the alternatives are endlessly charming.

Try:

• Fabric squares or scarves

• Reused brown paper, tied with twine

• Old maps, sheet music, or children’s art

• Flower-pressed tags, seed paper, or repurposed ribbon to decorate

A gift wrapped thoughtfully feels more special, more personal, and less disposable.

Recyclable gift wrap is unique and beautiful.

Image courtesy of Unsplash

3. Prioritize Local & Low-Waste Gifting

Instead of mass-market items, choose gifts infused with story and origin.
Support artisans, small farms, or local makers. Wrap up experiences rather than objects—such as a cooking class, a nature walk together, or a subscription to a community garden or flower CSA.

Even better: consider “living gifts” like potted herbs, bulbs, or small houseplants that can grow with the seasons. 

Give the gift that gives back by making a donation in their name. Gifts That Give Hope is a wonderful way to find a cause to make a donation in the name of someone special.

Giardino Foresta at the Charlottesville Holiday Market, November 2025

4. Create a Seasonal Menu

Holiday meals are moments of connection. Craft a menu around seasonal, local ingredients. Plan portions mindfully and get creative with leftovers. Many dishes can be made into delicious frittatas, soups, grain bowls, pot pies, and winter salads with a bit of creativity and a well-stocked fridge of leftovers.

Set the table with reusable linens, natural centerpieces, and dishes that feel like home. A slow, intentional meal nourishes both body and planet.

An appetizer spread using local cheeses and cured meats, Giardino Foresta cheese dips, and served on one of our charcuterie boards.

5. Give Yourself the Gift of Rest

Sustainability isn’t only about external elements—it’s also about personal energy, including your own.

The holiday season can become busy and overstimulating. Choose slower rhythms. Take a bath. Walk outside. Turn off lights and enjoy the gentle glow of candles. Make space for rituals that refill you rather than deplete you.

A rested heart is one of the most sustainable things we can cultivate.

Take time to relax! A little rest goes a long way.

The holidays are a season to reconnect—with nature, with each other, and with the quiet beauty of winter. With a few simple shifts, we can celebrate in ways that honor both the earth and the spirit. Happy Holidays!

Farm Updates

The growing season is officially over and the first frost arrived at the farm in November. Even so, work on the farm isn’t done! Not only are rows being put to rest for the season, but holiday markets and events are starting. I’m almost ready to share the last of the big projects I’ve been working on. If you’re part of the newsletter family or follow us on social media, you’ve already heard of the biggest project that is ready for the limelight: an event space in the middle of our forest that is set to be a classroom, yoga studio, and meditation space for natural healing and connection. I’m so very excited to be able to share the magic of this land and what it produces in a new way. If you are interested in learning more about the upcoming classes and events, please sign up for the monthly newsletter!

I had a wonderful time at the Botanical Garden of the Piedmont’s Fall Festival at the beginning of the month. I had a great time teaching others how to craft soup wreaths with fresh herbs and sharing wonderful, almost aromatherapy-level smells around the table all morning. The Botanical Garden generously donated extra herbs for me to use, and it only felt right to pay it forward. I was able to make a few herb wreaths for decor use out of the lavender, sage, and rosemary they donated. If you’d like to purchase one and help the Botanical Garden, they are available in the shop. All proceeds go back to the Botanical Garden to help them with their mission!

The first holiday market was great, I love being downtown and all of the dogs that came to the market was a plus! I am definitely feeling the holiday spirit around downtown Charlottesville. I absolutely love telling the story of the farm and I love sharing the bounty even more!

The leaves may have fallen, and snow has already arrived, but there is still so much nature has to offer, even though so much is at rest during winter. I, too, am looking forward to a season of rest (at least, after the markets are over!).

I still have a few events left before I can truly rest. Once I get back, I’ll be in full planning mode for the first of the spring events in our new event space! Lots of exciting things to look forward to at Giardino Foresta in 2026!

Wishing you all the happiest of holidays and a wonderful new year. Namaste.