Bah Humbug! Tis the Season to ... Waste Less
You don't have to compromise on fun to waste less at Christmas
Ebenezer Scrooge, that infamous old miser at the heart of Charles Dickens’ novella A Christmas Carol, must surely be the most reviled festive villain, but as Christmas gets ever more excessive, some of us are starting to think that maybe Scrooge had a point…
But before the Ghost of Christmas Past comes to haunt me, I must qualify that by saying I really do love Christmas, I love it so much in fact that in the past I have gone way over the top – I’ve bought my kids way too many presents, wrapped them all really nicely, bought more food than I could eat, and bought more wine than I could drink (yes, really).
So come Boxing Day I feel over-indulgent and I promise that next year I’m going camping and giving all the Christmas money to charity. But of course, Christmas comes along and I’m yet to spend it in a tent. So this year, I’ll be staying at home again but I’m going to plan ahead, be less indulgent and I’ll still have a wonderful time. I’ll just be spending wisely and getting creative with the waste. And, as it’s the time of year for sharing, if have you any extra tips, please let us know in the Comments section.
But before the Ghost of Christmas Past comes to haunt me, I must qualify that by saying I really do love Christmas, I love it so much in fact that in the past I have gone way over the top – I’ve bought my kids way too many presents, wrapped them all really nicely, bought more food than I could eat, and bought more wine than I could drink (yes, really).
So come Boxing Day I feel over-indulgent and I promise that next year I’m going camping and giving all the Christmas money to charity. But of course, Christmas comes along and I’m yet to spend it in a tent. So this year, I’ll be staying at home again but I’m going to plan ahead, be less indulgent and I’ll still have a wonderful time. I’ll just be spending wisely and getting creative with the waste. And, as it’s the time of year for sharing, if have you any extra tips, please let us know in the Comments section.
2. Make it yourself
If budget is an issue and you’re crafty, then homemade gifts can be really appreciated. This year at my children’s school, an American friend introduced a ‘Sugar Plum Workshop’ tradition to me where the children make homemade Christmas gifts.
At first I was sceptical about them bringing home more useless junk to clutter the home. But it was a great idea – they made useful gifts that I’d happily give to friends and family, such as earrings, epsom salts in reused jars and jars turned into tea lights. They enjoyed making them and they also raised some money for their school.
If budget is an issue and you’re crafty, then homemade gifts can be really appreciated. This year at my children’s school, an American friend introduced a ‘Sugar Plum Workshop’ tradition to me where the children make homemade Christmas gifts.
At first I was sceptical about them bringing home more useless junk to clutter the home. But it was a great idea – they made useful gifts that I’d happily give to friends and family, such as earrings, epsom salts in reused jars and jars turned into tea lights. They enjoyed making them and they also raised some money for their school.
3. Be food wise
Watching food thrown out at Christmas is another way to really drain the yuletide joy. Boxing Day has been designated National Leftovers Day in Australia by the Australian campaign FoodWise. Their website includes tips for wasting less and creative ways to use leftovers.
Once again, planning ahead will mean that you’ll waste less. If you’re catering for guests, don’t feel you have to go crazy. Aim to cater for only those guests you know will be there, with only a little extra for any surprise visitors. And if you are planning on a shared feast, designate who will bring what and how much.
Watching food thrown out at Christmas is another way to really drain the yuletide joy. Boxing Day has been designated National Leftovers Day in Australia by the Australian campaign FoodWise. Their website includes tips for wasting less and creative ways to use leftovers.
Once again, planning ahead will mean that you’ll waste less. If you’re catering for guests, don’t feel you have to go crazy. Aim to cater for only those guests you know will be there, with only a little extra for any surprise visitors. And if you are planning on a shared feast, designate who will bring what and how much.
4. Cook up edible gifts
Other gift ideas that might be less wasteful include homemade food items, such as gingerbread, fudge, cookies or Christmas cakes and tarts. Or shop at farmer’s markets and food co-ops for local jars of honey or bottles of wine that you know your friends would really enjoy – they might prove far more useful than something that’s going to get stuffed in the bottom drawer and not be touched again. But save the pomegranate-infused molasses for the adventurous gourmet. Don’t give it to Aunty Brenda in the hope that she’ll expand her culinary repertoire beyond mashed potato and lamb chops; you know perfectly well it will be gathering dust in her pantry for the next 20 years.
Other gift ideas that might be less wasteful include homemade food items, such as gingerbread, fudge, cookies or Christmas cakes and tarts. Or shop at farmer’s markets and food co-ops for local jars of honey or bottles of wine that you know your friends would really enjoy – they might prove far more useful than something that’s going to get stuffed in the bottom drawer and not be touched again. But save the pomegranate-infused molasses for the adventurous gourmet. Don’t give it to Aunty Brenda in the hope that she’ll expand her culinary repertoire beyond mashed potato and lamb chops; you know perfectly well it will be gathering dust in her pantry for the next 20 years.
Even if we do over-cater, however, there is no need to throw food out. Turkey curry was a Boxing Day staple in our house growing up and the ham leftovers lasted way into January, culminating in a large batch of pea and ham soup around the Epiphany.
That was in the northern hemisphere though – there are far more appropriate leftover meals for hot sunny days such as turkey and ham used up in creative salads. Remember that ham is salted so can last many days after Christmas – ask your butcher for details and they may give you a ‘ham bag’ when you buy your ham. If not, store your ham in the fridge, inside a cotton pillow slip soaked in water and vinegar and wrung out, and change the water every few days.
That was in the northern hemisphere though – there are far more appropriate leftover meals for hot sunny days such as turkey and ham used up in creative salads. Remember that ham is salted so can last many days after Christmas – ask your butcher for details and they may give you a ‘ham bag’ when you buy your ham. If not, store your ham in the fridge, inside a cotton pillow slip soaked in water and vinegar and wrung out, and change the water every few days.
5. BYO Tupperware
Tupperware and food containers are your friend at this time of year. Have them on hand to gather the leftovers, refrigerate immediately and either freeze or eat in the next few days. If your friends are bringing shared food, ask them to bring some storage containers to take home leftovers (unless you want to keep it all for yourself, of course – host’s privilege!)
Our late Christmas Day supper used to always consist of the leftovers from the main lunch – and it was even more delicious by then. It was traditional to have another party on Boxing Day – the ideal way to consume all those leftovers.
Tupperware and food containers are your friend at this time of year. Have them on hand to gather the leftovers, refrigerate immediately and either freeze or eat in the next few days. If your friends are bringing shared food, ask them to bring some storage containers to take home leftovers (unless you want to keep it all for yourself, of course – host’s privilege!)
Our late Christmas Day supper used to always consist of the leftovers from the main lunch – and it was even more delicious by then. It was traditional to have another party on Boxing Day – the ideal way to consume all those leftovers.
6. Get decorative
Get creative with decorations too, making them from things you have around the house – such as the branches and scrabble pieces in this photo. For bought decorations, make sure you save them for the following year – carefully wrapping any glass baubles and storing them away where you’ll know to find them.
Read more: Ten Reasons Not to Throw Your Old Christmas Decorations Away
Get creative with decorations too, making them from things you have around the house – such as the branches and scrabble pieces in this photo. For bought decorations, make sure you save them for the following year – carefully wrapping any glass baubles and storing them away where you’ll know to find them.
Read more: Ten Reasons Not to Throw Your Old Christmas Decorations Away
You could make, or ask your children to make, some decorations from old wrapping paper, pictures from magazines and old Christmas cards.
Read more: Christmas DIY: Starry Night Illuminated Metal Wreath
Read more: Christmas DIY: Starry Night Illuminated Metal Wreath
Table decorations have traditionally been made from seasonal offerings such as holly and pine cones in colder climates, but feel free to gather anything pretty from what’s in season in your garden for an Australian Christmas.
7. Weigh up real versus fake
There are varying views on whether a real or fake tree is better for the environment. It really depends on the individual product. Select real trees from responsibly managed plantations or farms and recycle them after Christmas so that they’re shredded and turned into mulch.
There are varying views on whether a real or fake tree is better for the environment. It really depends on the individual product. Select real trees from responsibly managed plantations or farms and recycle them after Christmas so that they’re shredded and turned into mulch.
With fake trees, they are at least used over and over. But again, consider what you’re buying – something homemade from some leftover wood is likely to be less wasteful than a new plastic one. Or look into some of the many wooden and plywood Christmas trees available that are marketed as eco-products.
8. Wrap it up
Who can deny that it’s a lovely thing to give or receive a beautifully wrapped gift? But then when your entire floor is covered in discarded wrapping paper on Christmas morning, it’s not quite so lovely. So remember to either recycle the paper or carefully save it for next year. Or find your wrapping paper from other sources – your children’s old drawings, brightly coloured magazine pages or butcher’s paper creatively decorated with bits and pieces.
Who can deny that it’s a lovely thing to give or receive a beautifully wrapped gift? But then when your entire floor is covered in discarded wrapping paper on Christmas morning, it’s not quite so lovely. So remember to either recycle the paper or carefully save it for next year. Or find your wrapping paper from other sources – your children’s old drawings, brightly coloured magazine pages or butcher’s paper creatively decorated with bits and pieces.
9. Think Christmas cards
I have mixed feelings about Christmas cards. I used to love receiving them but I stopped sending them around the time I had children. I simply felt too busy and then everyone was keeping in touch by email anyway. Now I hardly get any! Overall though, it’s probably a good thing. Think of all that paper not being wasted – but if you do still like to send cards, recycling them or turning them into decorations or gift tags the following year is a great idea.
I have mixed feelings about Christmas cards. I used to love receiving them but I stopped sending them around the time I had children. I simply felt too busy and then everyone was keeping in touch by email anyway. Now I hardly get any! Overall though, it’s probably a good thing. Think of all that paper not being wasted – but if you do still like to send cards, recycling them or turning them into decorations or gift tags the following year is a great idea.
10. Eat, drink and be merry
It’s that time of year again for all those lovely stone fruits and berries. If you have any that are becoming a little over-ripe, don’t even think about throwing them out. These are perfect to blend into a pulp and make into drinks. Add peach pulp or raspberries to sparkling wine for a delicious champagne cocktail that will 1. Make your alcohol go further, 2. Stop your guests becoming too intoxicated too early and 3. Impress them with your creative Christmas drink making skills.
For kids/teetotallers/drivers, whizz the rest of the fruit for a delicious non-alcoholic punch.
You, on the other hand, will have wasted so much less this Christmas you’ll deserve a strong drink at the end of the day. Just remember to put any leftovers in the fridge and recycle the bottles. And if you do happen to receive any socks or soap you’re never likely to use, don’t worry, politely put them aside and donate to a charity store after Christmas.
TELL US
Please share any tips for reducing waste at Christmas in the Comments section.
MORE
Zero Tolerance: 21 Ways to Waste Less at Home
Festive Styling That Embraces the White Christmas Look
Not a Naturally Organised Parent: It’s Time for a Guilt-Free Christmas
10 Money-Saving Habits to Perk Up Your Bank Balance
It’s that time of year again for all those lovely stone fruits and berries. If you have any that are becoming a little over-ripe, don’t even think about throwing them out. These are perfect to blend into a pulp and make into drinks. Add peach pulp or raspberries to sparkling wine for a delicious champagne cocktail that will 1. Make your alcohol go further, 2. Stop your guests becoming too intoxicated too early and 3. Impress them with your creative Christmas drink making skills.
For kids/teetotallers/drivers, whizz the rest of the fruit for a delicious non-alcoholic punch.
You, on the other hand, will have wasted so much less this Christmas you’ll deserve a strong drink at the end of the day. Just remember to put any leftovers in the fridge and recycle the bottles. And if you do happen to receive any socks or soap you’re never likely to use, don’t worry, politely put them aside and donate to a charity store after Christmas.
TELL US
Please share any tips for reducing waste at Christmas in the Comments section.
MORE
Zero Tolerance: 21 Ways to Waste Less at Home
Festive Styling That Embraces the White Christmas Look
Not a Naturally Organised Parent: It’s Time for a Guilt-Free Christmas
10 Money-Saving Habits to Perk Up Your Bank Balance
This is an area where it’s easy to go completely over the top, but a little planning can really help. It might sound obvious but buying an appropriate present for a person is one great way to reduce waste. Why bother giving grandma a box set of fancy, expensive soaps when you know she only likes Pears?
Budgeting is important too – if there simply isn’t the money there for everything we would like to buy our friends and family, will anyone be upset or think any less of us if we don’t give them an expensive present? And think how quickly the festive joy will drain away when you see your credit card bill if you go beyond your means.
As for children, write down a list of their needs/wants then prioritise what they should have. I used to start buying my children Christmas presents in September, based on what I saw in the shops and hide them away. By the time I started wrapping it on Christmas Eve, I was shocked at what a large haul I had gathered. This year, I’m shopping for everything on one day and I’m being ruthless!