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Wood Is All Around Us: How Oregon’s Forests Shape the Holiday Season
The holidays bring a lot of things together. Family, friends, favorite traditions and the little comforts that make this time of year feel special. What many people don’t realize is that one thing quietly ties so many of these moments together: wood.
From the furniture we gather around to the packages arriving on our doorsteps, wood products play a bigger role in the season than most of us ever stop to consider. And much of it begins in sustainably managed forests right here in Oregon.
Here are just a few of the ways wood shows up in our holiday traditions.
The tables we share.
Whether it’s a big family dinner or a small get-together with friends, many holiday memories begin at a wooden table. Chairs, shelves, serving boards and even the flooring underfoot often come from Oregon-grown timber, renewable materials that bring warmth, tradition and character into our homes.
The gifts that arrive at our doors.
Online shopping surges during the holidays, and most packages that arrive are traveling in a cardboard box or bag made from wood fiber. Paper padding, shipping envelopes and product packaging also rely on wood, one of the most recyclable and widely reused materials on the planet.
The wrapping paper and cards we exchange.
Gift wrap, bags, greeting cards and holiday tags all start as wood pulp. Most of these products are made from lumber residuals – essentially the “leftovers” from turning a round log into a square board; things like sawdust and wood chips. Some mills also use fiber from small trees or routine forest maintenance work to create wood pulp. And because these products are recyclable, they continue the cycle of reuse well beyond the season.
The warmth that fills our homes.
For many households, winter isn’t complete without a fire crackling in the hearth. Firewood is one of the oldest and still frequently used ways to heat homes. It’s also one of the most comforting and cozy parts of the holidays.
The decorations we love.
From wooden ornaments to handcrafted décor, many holiday keepsakes are made from natural wood. These items often become traditions themselves, passed down and pulled out year after year.
The trees at the center of it all.
And of course, for those who celebrate with a real Christmas tree, each one comes from a tree farm – grown, harvested, and replanted to support Oregon’s farm communities. Oregon is proudly the national leader in Christmas tree production – so even if you’re in another part of the United States, there’s a good chance your tree came from Oregon!
Wood products touch nearly every corner of the holiday season. They make celebrations possible, support local economies and come from a renewable resource that Oregon manages with care. So this year, as you gather with the people you love, take a look around. Chances are the forest is closer than you think.
