The season of giving is upon us! And while love and generosity are a big part of what makes the holidays so special, many of our beloved holiday traditions come at a hidden environmental cost. But we aren’t here to be grinches! With a few simple adjustments and sustainable holiday tips, you’ll be making sustainable Christmas memories to cherish for years to come!
Our favorite tip? As an eco-friendly alternative or complement to other presents, you can make a donation to plant trees on behalf of someone you love. Your sustainable gift can come with a custom Tree Certificate or customizable card, and you’ll be able to rest easy knowing that you’ve given a waste-free gift that will benefit, not harm, nature.
11 reasons to gift a tree planted in the great outdoors for the holidays:
1. Trees make a Unique Gift
If you want to give something that’s (literally) outside the box, planting trees is a great way to do that. Everyone has their own personal relationship with trees, but many have fond memories of enjoying the great outdoors.
Gift trees for your best friend, your grandma, the person who has everything, or the nature-lover on your list. They will love the thoughtful gesture!
3. trees Last a Lifetime
When it comes to providing a lifetime of benefits, trees truly are the gift that keeps on giving. Every year, your loved one can look back and smile as they think about how their tree is growing and helping wildlife, ecosystems, local communities and the climate.
Once the planting project has been completed, you’ll receive a donor update so that you can learn more about your impactful gift!
4. Trees Give Animals a Home
80% of the world’s known terrestrial plant and animal species can be found in forests. This means that one tree alone can be home to hundreds of living things!
Just think about all the birds, insects, and mammals that will have a place to live thanks to your awesome holiday gift.
5. Trees Clean the Air
Trees help clean the air by absorbing carbon, releasing breathable oxygen and filtering harmful particulate pollution through their leaves.
The World Health organization says that 9 out of 10 people breathe air that contains high levels of pollutants, which can trigger new cases of asthma, exacerbate existing respiratory problems, lead to chronic illness, and more. Planting trees helps protect ecological and human health!
6. Trees Benefit Future Generations
As evidenced by the growing youth climate protest movements across the globe, young people today are increasingly concerned about how our changing climate will affect their future.
By planting trees, you’ll help to secure a livable climate and environment for future generations.
7. Trees Help End Hunger
Trees produce nutritious food and income for people in need. They also help restore degraded land so that farmers can gradually increase their crop yields, reduce damaging erosion and landslides, and help the soil retain more water so that crops can grow and thrive.
With healthier food systems as a result of trees, communities also enjoy improved health, jobs, and economic stability.
8. Trees Keep People Safe
Trees offer a lot of protection when natural disasters like flooding and landslides occur. Their powerful root systems act like filters and absorb stormwater, reducing the risk of flooding.
according to the Food and Agriculture Association of the United Nations, a mature evergreen tree can intercept more than 15,000 liters of water every year. But don’t worry, they don’t keep it all for themselves! Trees redistribute up to 95% of the water they absorb.
9. Planting trees is an affordable gift
Planting a tree with One Tree Planted costs just $1 per tree!
You can plant as many as you’d like, whether it’s a single tree or a small forest.
Regardless of your holiday gift budget, you can rest assured that the tree or trees you gift will have a powerful impact for people and the environment.