It has been a hard year for many of us. The ongoing impacts of COVID‑19, Brexit, rising costs, and general uncertainty have made sticking to zero‑waste or low‑waste habits feel difficult — and sometimes impossible. With this in mind, many are looking for ways to enjoy a low waste festive season without added stress.
If you’re still reading this, though, your intention is still there. Zero waste is never about perfection; it’s about small, consistent steps. Every effort you’ve made this year counts, so take a moment to acknowledge that — well done.
With the festive season approaching, here are some simple, realistic ways to reduce waste while still enjoying Christmas and the celebrations around it.
Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
Low‑Waste Gift Ideas (Even for Last‑Minute Shoppers)
If you’re panic‑buying gifts (we’ve all been there), pause and consider alternatives to impulse purchases that often end up unused or discarded.
Make memories, not waste
Experience‑based gifts are meaningful and clutter‑free. Consider:
- Concert, cinema, or theatre tickets
- A meal out or takeaway voucher
- Learning experiences like pottery, sewing, knitting, or crochet classes
These gifts create lasting memories and avoid unnecessary packaging.
Go green with plants
Plants, seeds, bulbs, or herbs make thoughtful gifts — especially herbs, which are useful year‑round. One year, I gifted seed envelopes to encourage pollinators in spring, helping support bees and biodiversity.
Homemade and thoughtful
Baking cakes, drying fruits, or making jams and chutneys reduces food waste and packaging. It also gives you a chance to reuse jars and containers, turning them into part of the gift.
Food Shopping Without the Festive Food Waste
Overbuying food is one of the biggest sources of Christmas waste.
Before shopping:
- Plan meals in advance
- Write a list and stick to it
- Remember: shops are usually only closed for 24 hours — no one is going to starve
Being realistic saves money and prevents food from going to waste.
Wrapping and Unwrapping — Without the Guilt
Wrapping doesn’t have to mean mountains of paper.
Wrap smart
- Repurpose newspapers, magazines, or even Who Gives A Crap toilet paper wrappers
- Try Furoshiki (Japanese cloth wrapping) using scarves or fabric scraps
Reuse what you receive
If you unwrap carefully and fold paper neatly, it can often be reused for future gifts or other purposes.
What to Do With Christmas Trees
If you buy a real tree and can’t replant it:
- Check if your local council offers Christmas tree collections
- Take it to a household waste recycling centre
- Some schemes even allow you to rent a living tree and return it after Christmas
Real trees can be chipped and reused in parks or gardens, keeping them out of landfill.
Cards, Packaging, and Other “Usual Culprits”
- Most greetings cards and envelopes are paper‑based and recyclable
- Cardboard, batteries, and other common festive waste can usually be recycled through local collections or recycling centres
When in doubt, check your local council’s recycling guidelines.
A Gentle Reminder
Zero waste is not about doing everything perfectly — especially at Christmas. It’s about doing what you can, where you are, with what you have.
If this season feels overwhelming, choose just one or two low‑waste swaps. That’s more than enough.
Season’s greetings, and thank you for continuing to care — for the planet, and for yourself.
Key Takeaways
- Enjoying a low waste festive season requires small, consistent steps rather than perfection.
- Consider experience-based gifts like tickets or classes, and green gifts like plants or homemade treats.
- Plan meals ahead, make a shopping list, and remember stores only close for a short time to avoid food waste.
- Wrap gifts using recycled materials or techniques like Furoshiki to reduce wrapping waste.
- Check recycling options for festive waste like cards and packaging; remember, do what you can to support a low waste festive season.
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