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Non-toxic living for the entire family

Non-Toxic Christmas Decorations & Lead Free Lights

December 1, 2022 by Shannon

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Christmas is one of my favorite times of the year. But sadly, Christmas decorations, trees, lights, and ornaments come with a host of toxins.  Let’s go over what to avoid, what to look for, and what you can do to minimize your family’s exposure to toxins during the holiday season. There are some great non-toxic Christmas decorations available!

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This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my full disclosure policy for details.

Quick Navigation

  • Toxins in Christmas Decorations, Lights, and Ornaments
    • The main toxins that lurk in our Christmas items are:
  • Christmas Trees
    • Real Christmas Trees
    • Artificial Christmas Trees
  • Christmas Lights
    • Lead-free or ROHS-compliant Christmas Lights
      • ROHS Certification
        • Companies that Sell ROHS Compliant Christmas Lights
    • Tips for Safely Handling Christmas Lights
  • Natural Christmas Tree Skirt
  • Non-Toxic Christmas Decorations
  • Non-Toxic Christmas Ornaments
    • Vintage Ornaments
    • Safe Handling of Ornaments
  • Organic Christmas Sheets
  • Organic Christmas Pajamas
  • Non-Toxic Stockings
  • Non-Toxic Gift Ideas

Toxins in Christmas Decorations, Lights, and Ornaments

The main toxins that lurk in our Christmas items are:

Lead – a neurotoxin that causes lower IQ and learning disabilities.  It is commonly found in Christmas lights, fake Christmas trees, Christmas ornaments, as well as decor items.

Flame Retardants – a carcinogen as well as endocrine disruptors (hormone disruption).  Flame retardants are found in Christmas lights, artificial Christmas trees, and decor items.

PVC – is a known carcinogen and well as an endocrine disrupter.  PVC is found in fake Christmas trees, Christmas lights, and some decor and ornaments (soft plastic).  

Christmas Trees

Real Christmas Trees

The best option is a real Christmas tree that was grown organically or without the use of pesticides. You don’t want to be bringing a tree into your home that was sprayed with pesticides.  Pesticides are linked to a host of health issues that are well-known and researched.

If you are concerned about potential mold from a live tree, purchase it as close to Christmas as possible to limit the time it is indoors. This is not something that has been an issue for us. 

>>>> You can find Organic Christmas Trees by State here <<<<

Artificial Christmas Trees

Most artificial Christmas trees are made of PVC, and often also contain lead and flame retardants. For this reason, artificial trees should be avoided.

If you can’t avoid an artificial tree, wash your hands after touching it and keep children away from the tree. Also, wet dust and vacuum regularly.

When looking for artificial Christmas trees, look for Polyethylene (PE) or Polypropylene (PP) instead of PVC. Unfortunately, PE or PP Christmas trees are harder to come by. 

IKEA does sell a safer, artificial Christmas tree made of PE/PP.  It has been tested and was found to be lead free. The IKEA Christmas tree is the only fake Christmas tree I can recommend. It doesn’t mean this tree is entirely free of all toxins, but it is a much safer alternative.  

Christmas Lights

Christmas Lights Shining on a dark background

Lead-free or ROHS-compliant Christmas Lights

Not all of these brands sell exclusively ROHS compliant Christmas lights.  You will want to search for ROHS on their site and read the descriptions carefully.

ROHS Certification

ROHS is a certification that limits heavy metals, including lead, cadmium, and mercury, as well as some of the most toxic flame retardants.  

ROHS does not mean they are fully free of toxicants like lead or flame retardants.  It means that it is under the threshold allowed for each specific item. 

I have seen lead-free Christmas lights, though, but without testing each brand regularly, it is hard to know (and state) if they are lead-free.  

Christmas lights are made of PVC, there is no alternative. So the only true non-toxic alternative to Christmas lights is not using them (which is a bummer!). ROHS is the next best alternative. You will have fewer toxins.  

I previously had my Christmas lights tested for lead, and they were lead free.  I bought from a company, Environmental Lights, which no longer sells Christmas Lights.

When they stopped selling Christmas lights, they referred me to Reinders, who sold the same brands.  We have purchased from Reinders since then, but I have not personally tested the lights since buying from them.

Companies that Sell ROHS Compliant Christmas Lights
  • Reinders
  • Total Outdoor Lighting
  • Holiday LEDS
  • LED Holiday Lighting

Tips for Safely Handling Christmas Lights

  • Wear gloves that are specific for Christmas Lights (don’t reuse them for another purpose during the year).
  • Let the adults hang Christmas lights.
  • Teach children not to touch Christmas lights.  Lights are best for looking at.  
  • Wash hands after touching Christmas lights (and other Christmas decor).

Natural Christmas Tree Skirt

Non Toxic Christmas Decorations - Tree Skirt

Look for natural materials (like organic cotton, cotton, wool, and linen), and avoid synthetic fibers like polyester.  Polyester is made from oil and is an endocrine disruptor. Natural fibers are better for your health and the earth. 

Several brands below have certifications like Oeko-Tex, which deem them safe from 100’s of different chemicals.  

100% Cotton, Oeko-Tex, Twas The Night Before Christmas Tree Skirt

100% Cotton, Oeko-Tex, Snowman Tree Skirt

100% Wool Felt, Red Berry Christmas Tree Skirt

100% Linen Embroidered Tree Skirt

100% Linen Grey Tree Skirt

Non-Toxic Christmas Decorations

Below are some amazing Christmas decorations made of natural materials like wool, paper, and wood.  

Wool (Felted) Mistletoe Wreath 

Accordion Paper Trees

Wood Nutcracker Made in Germany

Large Wood Santa Nutcracker Made in Germany

Paper Holiday Village Craft Set

Merry & Bright Wood Wall Bunting

Holiday Paper Chain

Wool Nativity Set

Large Wool Christmas Scene / Nativity Set

Wood Nativity Sets and Scenes

Large 12 Piece Wood Nativity Set made in Germany

Non-Toxic Christmas Ornaments

Wool Christmas Garland

Christmas ornaments are notorious for containing lead.  It’s really unfortunate since children love helping decorate the tree (as well as touching ornaments once they are on the tree!). I like having a safe tree that I can feel comfortable with my children touching.

You can feel safe using natural materials like wool, cotton, wood, paper, etc.  

Felted Wool Space Ornaments 

Red & White Wool Felted Ball Ornaments

Wood Nutcracker Ornament (made in Germany)

Wool Felted Santa Garland

Felted Wool Ball Christmas Garland

Wooden Bead Star Ornament 

Personalized Wood Ornaments for Kids

Paper Ornaments

Boiled Wool Sloth Christmas Ornament

Wool Angel Christmas Tree Topper

Eco-Wool 100% Organic Wool Christmas Ornaments

Vintage Ornaments

Avoid vintage ornaments as they are likely to have higher levels of lead.  

Safe Handling of Ornaments

If you have bins full of ornaments that aren’t made of natural materials, you can either transition to safer alternatives or continue using your current ornaments with safer protocols, such as:

  • Let adults hang the ornaments. If it feels safe, you could consider wearing gloves while hanging the ornaments.  
  • Wash hands directly after touching the ornaments.  
  • Talk to children about not touching the ornaments.
  • If ornaments break, clean the area well with a wet paper towel and soap.  Don’t vacuum or dust first, as it will disperse the toxins in the air. 
  • Have your tree become a no-touch tree after the ornaments are hung
  • Wet dust and vacuum regularly. 
  • Consider keeping presents off to the side of the tree vs. underneath the tree. 

Organic Christmas Sheets

Non Toxic Christmas Sheets

Christmas sheets are always fun way to add some holiday cheer.  A less expensive way to make your bed more festive is just buying pillowcases.  

Organic Santa Sheets (GOTS certified) 

Organic Minnie & Mickey Sheets (GOTS certified)

Organic Christmas Pajamas

Christmas Pajamas

Who doesn’t love matching Christmas pajamas?  These are organic and GOTS certified to be free of harmful toxins.  

Matching Family Christmas Pajamas, 100% Organic Cotton, GOTS Certified

Holiday Pajamas, 100% Organic Cotton, GOTS Certified

Non-Toxic Stockings

Red Christmas stockings hanging on decorated fireplace, indoors.

These stockings made of wool and linen are a great alternative to the polyester stockings widely available.  

Wool Felt Stockings

Linen Christmas Stockings, Oeko-Tex Certified

Non-Toxic Gift Ideas

Zero waste gift wrapping traditional Japanese furoshiki style.

Now that your home is decorated for Christmas adding some non-toxic gifts under the tree is always a good idea!

Non-Toxic Gift Giving Guide

40+ Natural Toy Gifts

Must-Haves for Non-Toxic Living

Non-Toxic Stocking Stuffers

Eco-Friendly Gift Wrap Ideas

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Filed Under: Holidays

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