It’s supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year, but it can sometimes feel like the most stressful time of the year when you start thinking of all the things you need to buy, such as gifts, cards, decorations and all the food! 

Christmas may come just once a year, but there are always events and celebrations where we can make mindful choices. If you’re dreaming of a low-cost, sustainable Christmas, we’re here to help you with tips for a beautiful day that’s kind on your bank balance and the planet.

Be prepared

The festive season is often the busiest time of the year and it has a way of creeping up on us despite being the same every year! By planning ahead and taking the time to consider your gift choices, food options and travel plans, you can avoid impulse purchases and overbuying, keeping your budget and impact in check.

Shop with intention

Australians are expected to spend more than $30 billion on Christmas presents. While gift-giving is a beautiful way to show love and appreciation, the pressure to buy the “perfect” gift can often feel at odds with living sustainably. With a bit of intention and planning, you can celebrate in a big way, while keeping your impact light.

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• Start with what you already have by shopping your home! Before buying anything new take stock of what you have in your home. You might already have something that’s perfect to re-gift, upcycle or repurpose. A book you loved, a barely used board game, a candle that you received that wasn’t quite your scent.

• Simplify gift gifting with Secret Santa or group gifts, they are a great way of reducing the number of items bought while keeping the gift-giving spirit. Gift registries, wish lists or vouchers might seem less personal, but they’re a smart way to avoid waste and ensure your gift is truly valued.

• Challenge loved ones to gift second-hand, handmade, experiential, or consumable gifts.
  • Op shops are a great place to find affordable Christmas gifts, decorations, wrapping paper, cards, Christmas-themed T-shirts and costumes for yourself, your children and even your dog!
  • Hit up your local artisan Christmas markets and support a local maker or head to your local independent store. You might find something more unique and special than anything from a store shelf.
  • Make your own gifts! Even if you’ve never crocheted a stitch in your life or your baking skills are non-existent, here are some fool-proof ideas guaranteed to put a smile on everyone’s face.
  • Choose experiences over things. Tickets to a show, a massage voucher, a craft class, a dinner at your favourite restaurant or a handwritten voucher for a coffee date can be more memorable and special than anything wrapped in paper. Experiences have the added gift of creating memories, not clutter.
• Give the gift of a charitable donation that aligns with the receiver’s values. It’s a meaningful way to support a cause they care about and feel the joy of making a positive impact. Many charities and social enterprises offer special gift and donation options for Christmas giving, such as The Good Box, Oxfam, UNICEF Australia, OzHarvest, RSPCA.

Give wrapping paper the flick

Avoid the giant pile of torn wrapping paper and make your gift wrapping just as thoughtful as the gift itself. Opt for compostable wrapping supplies like plain Kraft paper, uncoated tissue paper, natural twine, or fabric wraps, and embellish with natural decorations such as pine sprigs or dried flowers, these options are not only sustainable but also beautifully simple and thoughtful.

Try the Japanese art of furoshiki and wrap your gifts in reusable scarfs which can often be picked up for as little as $2 from your local op shop. Make it part of the gift or ask the recipient to pass the scarf back to you if they don’t have a use for it. Reuse gift bags you’ve received in the past to give them a second life or you can even make the wrapping part of the gift with a nice tote bag or tea towel. 

Deck the halls with eco-decorations

We all want our home to feel and look like Christmas, but Christmas decorations are often made cheaply and from plastics including glitter and tinsel. Consider thrifting second-hand decorations from op shops, or have a crafternoon and make your own, from recycled paper stars using old books and DIY Christmas wreaths made with foliage from your backyard to Christmas bon bons created from toilet paper rolls! 

If you need to buy new decorations, consider their longevity and environmental impact. Like gift giving, buying from a local maker is a good place to start. 

Power your festive lights for free 

Harness the power of the sun with solar fairy lights and bring the festive vibes to your backyard and street!! For indoor lighting opt for energy-efficient decorations that feature LED globes or fibre optics. Smart plugs can help you easily schedule your lights to turn on and off, saving energy and giving you one less thing to worry about during the busy festive season.

Choose to reuse

A lot of paper plates and cups are labelled biodegradable or compostable and while many will eventually break down in a home or industrial composting facility, they are a single-use product requiring resources to manufacture and transport, which contributes to carbon emissions. 

The most sustainable product is a reusable product. This may seem daunting at Christmas when you’re catering for more than you normally would. But it doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive. Visit your local Brisbane City Council Treasure Trove or op shop to pick up extra plates, glassware and cutlery for a fraction of the cost. Don’t shy away from mismatched items that can be kept for future parties or simply donated again. 

Fight festive food waste

Make a plan for leftovers to avoid waste! We all love festive leftovers and running out of food is every host’s worst nightmare, but these tips can help you minimise food waste over the holiday season. 

• Think about who you’re cooking for and how much they will realistically eat. Stick to your grocery list to avoid overbuying and consider serving buffet-style to give people control over what they take.
• Have a stash of containers ready to go so you can store any leftovers quickly and safely. This not only preserves your food longer, but you can also share the love and offer leftovers for your guests to take home.
• Label your leftovers and place food that needs to be eaten first front and centre in your fridge. Order some of OzHarvest’s free Use It Up tape to make it super clear what needs to go first! 
• Make the most of your leftovers by creating new dishes with these easy recipes. That Christmas ham could become a savory pie and leftover veggies can easily be turned into soups or frittatas!
• Invest in compost equipment  to capture all your food scraps! Not only does this stop the food waste from going to landfill, but it also reduces your greenhouse gas emissions and creates rich nutrients that can be returned to the garden. Take advantage of Brisbane City Council’s rebate of up to $100 on eligible equipment. 

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Recycle right

No matter how good we are at reducing our waste, there’s always items that will need to be recycled. No matter how good we are at reducing our waste, there’s always items that will need to be recycled. Brisbane City Council’s free bin and recycling app will make sure you’re sending as little to landfill as possible. If you’re worried there’s not enough space in your recycling bin, you can even upgrade to a larger recycling bin for free!  

And don’t forget to collect all your drink containers for a 10-cent refund with Containers for Change Most aluminium, glass, plastic, steel and liquid paperboard drink containers between 150ml and 3L are eligible – including wine and spirit bottles. 

Travel lightly 

Whether you’re heading to see family or escaping for a holiday, travel during the festive season can have a big environmental footprint. Opt for low-impact options like trains or buses when possible and if driving is your best bet, carpooling with others can reduce emissions and save on fuel costs. While flying might be unavoidable, small adjustments like bringing a reusable water bottle, eco-friendly toiletries and bring your own snacks can all help reduce waste and make your travels more sustainable.

Don’t stop after Christmas Day 

While it’s fantastic to have a sustainable Christmas, remember that reducing waste at home doesn’t end at the holidays. Find out how your household can make positive changes to help create a clean and sustainable Brisbane all year round. 

Want to take even more action to reduce your emissions? Try our free Carbon Calculator!