The holiday season is a time for connection, joy, and giving—but it’s also a time notorious for waste. From endless packaging to disposed plastics and carbon-heavy meals, it’s easy for the festivities to leave a lasting impact on the environment.
At North Spore, we believe the holidays can be magical and sustainable. By incorporating mushrooms into your celebrations, you can give thoughtful gifts, create beautiful upcycled decorations, and serve delicious, healthy meals with homegrown ingredients. Whether you’re gifting a grow kit, crafting natural decor, or cooking with your own harvest, mushrooms are a simple way to celebrate while caring for the planet.
Here’s how mushrooms can help you make this holiday season a little greener—and a lot more meaningful.
1. Gift an Experience with Mushroom Grow Kits
Both for indoors and outside, mushroom grow kits create a hands-on experience, allowing your loved ones to learn how to grow their own fresh, edible mushrooms at home. They’re perfect for food-enthusiasts, gardeners, or anyone passionate about sustainability. Plus, after the mushrooms are harvested, leftover substrate can be composted, enriching soil instead of ending up in a landfill. Even better: if you live in a place with warm winters, head outdoors for a holiday family forage.
2. Decorate Naturally with Mushroom-Inspired Creations
Your holiday decor can be created with sustainable, mushroom-inspired ideas. Over the years, we have seen an abundance of beautiful mushroom-inspired and mycelium-based artwork. Spent mushroom blocks or dried mushrooms can be used as the base for centerpieces, wreaths, or even as biodegradable ornaments. Pair them with other natural materials like pinecones, dried orange slices, or twigs for creative, eco-friendly designs that bring nature indoors. Every decoration can become a conversation starter about sustainability and the beauty of reusing materials. Even better: have a natural decoration-making party with friends or family.
Mushroom wreath by @yasminemei
3. Cook Up a Mushroom Dish
What better way to celebrate togetherness and sustainability than sharing with your loved ones a dish made with your own homegrown or wild mushrooms? Mushrooms are a versatile ingredient that can elevate any holiday meal, whether featuring meat or vegan. Plus, by growing your own, you reduce the carbon footprint of your holiday dinner. Even better: prepare the dish together or throw a mushroom-based potluck.
(From left to right): Mushroom stuffing, vegan mushroom "turkey," and a mushroom tart (photo by Holly A. Heyser).
A mushroom tart (photo by Holly A. Heyser)
Mushrooms offer a unique and sustainable way to enhance your holiday season. From cultivating creativity with natural decorations to reducing your carbon footprint through homegrown meals and eco-friendly gifts, mushrooms make it easy to celebrate responsibly. By incorporating fungi into your festivities, you can honor the spirit of the season—connection, care, and generosity—while giving back to the planet. We hope this year’s holiday celebrations inspire a greener future!