Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and other December celebrations involve festive table settings, indoor and outdoor decor – and of course, gifts – all adding up to a surprising amount of…stuff.
Between Thanksgiving and New Year’s, Americans increase their waste by 25%, resulting in approximately 25 million extra tons of unwanted items (EPA, 2024). At the same time, households spend an average of $260 per year on holiday decorations (NRF, 2024), much of which is short-lived and landfill-bound.
This is why Goodwill of Colorado—a locally-operated nonprofit—and three Denver-area interior designers have come together to encourage donation, reuse and smarter decorating choices that save money and the planet – and help provide opportunity for thousands of Coloradans to get a fresh start.
The three designers – Yazyth Norelius, One of A Kind Interior Design; Kate Clapp, Kate Saige Interiors; and Amanda Vance, Bountiful Collective – were each tasked with spending $100 or less at a Goodwill of Colorado retail store to create a holiday vignette from thrifted items. Their designs can be seen on Goodwill of Colorado’s Instagram @goodwillcolorado and are sure to inspire your holidays.
But why deck the halls, not the landfills? There’s more to this answer than you might think.
Donations Create New Memories
“I grew up wandering flea markets and thrift stores with my grandma, finding small treasures to take home,” said Amanda Vance. “Thrifting is something I love adding into my designs, giving new life to old pieces while creating a unique touch to a room. Our homes tell the story of who we are and incorporating thrifted items adds another layer to that story.”
When you choose secondhand holiday decor – or donate the items you no longer use – you’re doing something meaningful for our community and our planet. You’re participating in a circular economy that keeps perfectly usable items out of landfills, reduces the demand for new production and helps Colorado families create joyful, sustainable traditions. A single donated wreath can brighten another family’s home. A box of unused lights can illuminate a new celebration. That collection of ornaments you’re no longer excited about? It creates a new path full of opportunity and hope for someone who is in need of free job training to launch a new career.
You can also celebrate “Thriftmas,” giving thrifted items as gifts. At Goodwill of Colorado’s retail stores you can find one-of-a-kind items, antique treasures and plenty of white elephant gifts. Among the many things to be discovered: “ugly” – or uniquely beautiful – holiday sweaters; glassware adorned with “Feliz Navidad”; or a menorah for the young adult moving into their first home away from home.
Donations Create New Beginnings
In addition to diverting items away from landfills, every item sold from a Goodwill of Colorado retail store directly funds job training, education programs provided at no cost to help Coloradans gain skills, stability and for some, meaningful socialization and recreation. Donna is a retired Navy veteran who attends Goodwill’s Voyages senior day program—whose medically trained staff offers customized activities for clients needing memory care or additional support. Donna says the Voyages program helped her regain confidence and independence: “The people here are great, and I enjoy everything about this place.”
Many of the individuals who benefit from Goodwill’s presence in the community are just starting out on a new path, and need a hand up, not a handout.
Anthony spent 13 years incarcerated, and when he was paroled and needed a job, had no work history, references, or professional attire for an interview. He applied for a job at Goodwill of Colorado, was hired as a part-time donation attendant and in 10 years, has worked his way up to regional manager, now mentoring Goodwill’s store teams to perform at their highest level. He says, “Goodwill didn’t just change my life, it saved my life.” See more of Anthony’s journey here.
Or Benny, who graduated in June from The Excel Center, Colorado’s first tuition-free, in-person high school for adults opened by Goodwill in 2024. His young son was receiving chemotherapy for leukemia, and it was a challenging time for Benny to attend classes at The Excel Center. He experienced self-doubt, “What makes you think you can finish high school this time? You haven’t been in a classroom in 12 years.” But Benny put those thoughts aside as he looked at a picture of his beautiful, courageous son: “In that moment, I had an epiphany. If my son could brave the storm with a smile on his face, then I could do anything I set out to accomplish. I made it my [mission] to obtain my high school diploma.” And he did!
Goodwill of Colorado’s Excel Center provides free services to students including drop-in childcare, transportation vouchers, career coaching and micro-credential certifications to help them attain their diploma and begin to plan an exciting, fulfilling future.
Donations Create Renewed Purpose
“Trends fade, but great style sticks around,” says Yazyth Norelius. “I’m all about timeless pieces, a little creativity and making choices that honor both our homes and our planet. By donating to Goodwill of Colorado instead of throwing things into the trash, we’re creating access to affordable, beautiful design while protecting the earth for future generations. Now that’s what I call thoughtful design.”
Goodwill of Colorado is the only local organization with its own ecosystem for processing goods and implementing education programs. Because of this, Colorado’s environment is being spared from huge amounts of unwanted items—everything from holiday decorations to clothing, home goods and electronics—ending up in our landfills. Thanks to support from local communities, roughly 1.8 billion pounds of items donated to Goodwill of Colorado have been redirected over the past decade into reuse, recycling and renewed purpose.
This year, before you add new items to your cart, take a moment to consider what you already have and what you no longer need. Find a Goodwill of Colorado retail store near you, including its new store in Falcon, to drop off your donations and find new holiday, or any day, decor.
Be sure to enter our “Deck the Halls, Not the Landfills” contest where three winners will be selected at random to win a free interior design consultation with Yazyth Norelius, Amanda Vance or Kate Clapp. Visit Goodwill of Colorado on Instagram to vote for your favorite designer’s thrifted holiday vignette between December 20-25. No purchase is required to enter the contest.
In a season filled with sparkle, gatherings and generosity, small choices create meaningful community impact. When you give thoughtfully, celebrate sustainably and choose to support your community, you’re not just decorating your home – you’re contributing to a cleaner, kinder and more successful Colorado.
