November 01, 2021

How to have a conscious Christmas

I know, we too are still trying to process how we’ve already hit November despite feeling as though we’ve only just bidded 2020 adu. Phew after the year we’ve had, we are surely due for a little retail therapy. And what better time to do it than on Black Friday and through to Christmas when there are discounts galore, I mean, we are only human right?

Sadly, hidden between all the festivities of end of year celebrations we could unknowingly be contributing a lot of harm to our planet. An estimated $400 million was spent on unwanted gifts last Christmas, many which have probably already found their way to landfill. With a little effort and imagination, we can reduce the impact of the holiday season on the environment.

So count this as your friendly reminder, from one planet lover to another – make conscious purchasing decisions so that you aren’t contributing to the overwhelming waste due to the purchasing of unnecessary items. And where to start, you ask? We’ve got you covered below, here’s how to have a more conscious Holiday Season this year.

1 Buy consciously

As you’re going down your shopping list, consider choosing the eco-friendly option when you can. If you’re looking to gift an item of clothing, ditch the fast-fashion company and shop at sustainable brands who use recycled materials and fabrics. It’ll most likely last longer and be higher quality. Or - cheeky plug - swap out that generic perfume gift-set for Mum (that you probably already gave her last year) and give her a Happy Human Bundle that she can reuse and refill for life!

It might take a little bit of research and creativity, but knowing you’re contributing positively towards the environment is always worth it!

2 Gift smarter (not harder)

Especially if your love language is ‘gift-giving’, it’s easy to go overboard with buying presents for your loved ones. But, as cheesy as it sounds, Christmas is not about the amount of things you buy someone, but the amount of thought you put into it. So, instead of buying something that might just end up being tossed, why not try:

Gifting an Experience or Service

Now that we’re all out of lockdown, it’s definitely worthwhile to get out there and try something new, or reconnect with the things we all used to love! Here are just a few ideas to get you started: tickets to a movie, a musical, a new experience like rock-climbing or scuba diving, or vouchers for fine dining restaurants and museums. Bask in all that post-lockdown freedom!!

E-Gift Cards

They say you can never go wrong with a gift-card because you know that they’ll definitely get something they’ll love! To give it that personal touch, perhaps a subscription to a streaming service provider they really like Netflix or Spotify. That way you’ll know they’re up to date on the latest binge-sessions.

3 Decorate mindfully

Instead of buying new decorations, try making your own using natural materials or items you already have at home. You can also borrow decorations from family or friends, or purchase second-hand items.

Re-Gifting

Who says regifting is an insult? Maybe you received a book you’ve already read, a piece of clothing that just isn’t quite your style, instead of leaving it to be eaten by moth balls why not pass it on?

Wrap sustainably

Did you know Australians use more than 150,000 kilometres of wrapping paper each Christmas — that’s enough paper to wrap around the Earth’s equator four times! Yikes. Our favourite hack is using an old newspaper to wrap up our presents. That way you’re reusing something that’s already in the house (AND then you can then recycle). Or better yet - with our Happy Human Bundle’s packaging, just pop on a little ribbon or go naked...They still look pretty under the tree!

4 Cook consciously

As we know, our holiday expenses don’t just include presents - there’s also usually a pretty extensive Christmas feast to follow. And like any extravagant meal, too much food can cause a lot of waste. A super easy tip to reduce food waste is to pre-plan ahead of time, and with the leftovers you do have, save it for the next day. Or if the family went really overboard with the food, consider donating to your local charity or shelter. That way, we’re limiting food wastage AND eating good.

Cover Image Credit: @thegreenmillennial_

By making small, conscious choices, you can have a Christmas that's good for both you and the planet.

Updated: 4 Apr 2023