5 Holiday Decorations That Won't Aggravate Winter Allergies
The holiday season is a time of joy and celebration, but it can also be a time of discomfort for those who suffer from winter allergies. The influx of fresh pine trees, scented candles, wreaths, and potpourri can trigger allergies and irritate those sensitive to strong odors.
In this blog post, we recommend five allergy-friendly holiday decorating ideas to help keep indoor air clean for people prone to congestion, asthma, and sinus irritation during the winter months. Whether you're looking to look out for yourself or your loved ones, our air purification experts are here with tips to reduce allergen exposure as well as what types of purifiers to look for so you can breathe easier this holiday season.
Why Is Indoor Air Quality Important?
Indoor air quality is a critical component of a healthy home, especially during the winter months when we spend more time inside. Poor indoor air quality can exacerbate allergy and asthma symptoms, cause eye and throat irritation, headaches, and fatigue. It has even been linked to more serious respiratory issues.
Maintaining good indoor air quality through ventilation, air purification, and reducing moisture and mold is key to keeping our indoor spaces healthy and comfortable during the winter and holiday season when houses are closed up more tightly. Investing in good indoor air quality pays dividends through improved health and wellbeing.
The Problem with Traditional Holiday Decorations
Traditional holiday decorations can trigger allergies and irritate those sensitive to strong odors. Fresh pine trees, scented candles, wreaths, and potpourri can release allergy-aggravating particles into the air, causing congestion, asthma, and sinus irritation. It's important to find hypoallergenic alternatives to traditional holiday decor to keep indoor air clean and healthy.
LED Candles
LED candles are a festive but hypoallergenic alternative to traditional candles. They are flameless and do not release soot or other particles into the air. LED candles come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors, making them a versatile option for holiday decorating. They are also safer than traditional candles, reducing the risk of fire hazards. Consider checking local home goods stores or online retailers for a wide range of LED candle options!
Poinsettia Plants
Contrary to common belief, poinsettia plants are not as toxic as often thought, making them a safer and festive alternative for households with pets and children. Poinsettia plants are a festive but hypoallergenic alternative to fresh pine trees. They are available in a variety of colors and sizes, making them a versatile option for holiday decorating. Poinsettia plants are also easy to care for and can last throughout the holiday season. They are a great way to add color and life to your holiday decor without triggering allergies. Explore your local nurseries or garden centers for a diverse selection of poinsettia plants, available in various colors and sizes.
Ribbon Garlands
Ribbon garlands are a festive but hypoallergenic alternative to wreaths. They are available in a variety of colors and patterns, making them a versatile option for holiday decorating. Ribbon garlands are also easy to make and can be customized to fit any space or style. They are a great way to add a pop of color and texture to your holiday decor without triggering allergies. For a personal touch, try crafting your own ribbon garlands by selecting colors and patterns that resonate with your holiday theme!
Pomander Balls and Wood Decorations
Pomander balls and wood decorations are festive but hypoallergenic alternatives to potpourri. Pomander balls are made by studding oranges with cloves and can be used as natural air fresheners. Wood decorations, such as ornaments and figurines, are also a great way to add a rustic touch to your holiday decor without triggering allergies. They are available in a variety of shapes and sizes, making them a versatile option for holiday decorating. While you're waiting on your pomander balls to dry, explore local artisan markets or browse online shops for a wide array of wooden ornaments and figurines.
Celebrate The Healthy Way with Coway
The holiday season is a time of joy and celebration, but it can also be a time of discomfort for those who suffer from winter allergies. By using hypoallergenic alternatives to traditional holiday decor, you can keep indoor air clean and healthy. LED candles, poinsettia plants, ribbon garlands, pomander balls, and wood decorations are all great options for festive but hypoallergenic holiday decorating. Our air purification experts also recommend using air purifiers to reduce allergen exposure and improve indoor air quality. With these tips, you can breathe easier this holiday season and enjoy all the festivities without worrying about allergies.
As we embrace these hypoallergenic alternatives to traditional holiday decor, it's equally important to consider proactive measures for maintaining clean and healthy indoor air. Our recommendation? Incorporate Coway's advanced air purifiers into your holiday preparations.
Engineered with a network of diverse capture technologies, Coway's purifiers trap and deactivate an unprecedented 99.999% of particles, ensuring the air you breathe is free from allergens. The Coway-engineered Pre-Filter, washable and easy to dry, captures larger contaminants, prolonging the life of every filter. With the Max2 Filter, combining activated carbon filtration and Coway’s Green True HEPA filter, you not only invest in advanced purification but also experience easy installation and maintenance.
By integrating Coway’s air purifiers into your holiday environment, you can revel in the festivities with the assurance of clean and healthy indoor air.
Sources:
Prevention - 7 Signs You're Allergic To Christmas
Bob Vila - The Best Flameless Candles Of 2023
University of Minnesota Extension - Growing And Caring
The Spruce - The 17 Best Christmas Garlands Of 2023
The Old Farmer's Almanac - How To Make Pomander Balls
The Spruce - 18 Natural Christmas Decor Ideas For A Greener Holiday
Disclaimers
1Coway air purifiers have been proven to trap dust, pollen, dander, viruses and bacteria in the air based on KCL (Korea Conformity Laboratories) testing.They have been tested in a 30㎥ size chamber according to the Korea Air Cleaning Association standard (SPS-KACA 002-132:2022 Modified) to measure the 0.01㎛ size of particle removal rate. It was tested on maximum airflow speed in normal room temperature and humidity conditions. The performance may vary in the actual living environment of customers.
→ Tested with Airmega Aim, 100, 150, 160, AP-1216L, AP-1512HH, AP-1512HHS, 200M, Icon, IconS, 230, 240, 250, 250 Art, 250S, 300, 300S, 400, 400S, ProX
299.97% of viruses, bacteria, fungi and pollen were verified to be removed from the air for Coway air purifiers which have Green True HEPA™ filter applied based on the Japan Food Research Laboratories(JFRL) testing according to JEM 1467 standard.
→ Tested with Coway Airmega AP-1512HH, AP-1512HHS, 250, 250 Art, 250S, 300, 300S, 400, 400S
→ All tested by JFRL and received above result within below time.
All tested by JFRL and received above result within below time.
- Virus: Tested with Escherichia coli phage ΦX174 NBRC 103405, 60 minutes
- Bacteria: Tested with Staphylococcus epidermidis NBRC 12993, 60 minutes
- Fungi/Mold: Tested with Penicillium citrinum NBRC 6352, 60 minutes
- Pollen: Tested with Cedar Pollen extract, 60 minutes
3Aerosol test conducted in a Biosafety level 3 laboratory with two Coway air purifier models, Coway Airmega 250 and 400 for removal of SARS-CoV-2 Aerosol by US based MRI Global, a not-for-profit laboratory and partner of US Department of Defense. The test was conducted in a 13.1ft3 chamber. Virus was aerosolized for 15 minutes and the product was turned on high for 2 minutes. Result showed each product effectively removed over 99.98% of the SARS-CoV-2 in 2 minutes. This is a result from a laboratory experiment condition and result may vary in different conditions. This result does not imply it kills SARS-CoV-2 or prevents the transmission of Covid-19. Coway Airmega 250S and 400S are identical to the tested models and has equal performance with an additional mobile connectivity function.
4The concentration of ammonia, acetaldehyde and acetic acid were proven to be removed within 30 minutes by FCG Research Institute, Inc. Human Life Science Lab. It is not a demonstration result in the actual use space. Not all odors and gases may be supported. → Tested with Coway Airmega 150, 160, AP-1512HH, AP-1512HHS, 400, 400S
5The coverage area of the air purifier is based on an area where the air cleaner can make two air changes per hour (ACPH). An air change per hour translates to how many times an air purifier can clean an area, assuming the height of a ceiling to be 8 ft, in one hour. Therefore ** means two air changes per hour means that the cleaner can clean the area once every 30 minutes and * means air changes per hour means that the air purifier can clean the area once every 60 minutes.
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