My last note for the year before I skip over the ditch to NZ & spend some well-deserved rest time with the whanau drinking duty free Pimm's, enjoying the local sights and hopefully eating some of NZ's finest Fish n' Chips!

The festive season invites us to gather, give, and celebrate, but it can also quietly pull us into excess. A low-waste Christmas isn’t about doing less joyfully; it’s about choosing more intentionally. By slowing down and using what we already have, we can create rituals, gifts, and moments that feel thoughtful, generous, and aligned with our values. This guide offers gentle ways to celebrate with care, without the waste.

1. Be Intentional with Food

Plan before you shop and store food well, so it actually gets eaten. A fridge that’s well-spaced works best, when you can clearly see what you have, you’re far more likely to use it in time. Have a "use it first" shelf or basket in your fridge.

Freezing excess meals, rotating leftovers to the front, and repurposing scraps into stocks, salads, fritters, or next-day lunches all help reduce waste.

Our 5 Rs to Saving Waste guide is a great reminder of the bigger picture when it comes to conscious choices.

Plus check out our real-life inspo on turning scraps to waste saving treasure via our socials.

2. Gift With Purpose

Choose gifts people genuinely want, need, or will use often, like experiences, handmade pieces, consumables, and natural items. Support your small local businesses, it's been a tough one for us all with rising costs.

Skipping novelty fillers and cheaply made items wrapped in layers of plastic helps avoid unnecessary waste and hidden toxins.

Simple ingredients, minimal packaging, and supporting small, local makers all go a long way. Our Mini Sacred Organic Face Oil makes a beautiful low-waste gift and is also perfect for creating your own zero-waste Christmas Bon Bons. 

3. Rethink Gift Wrapping

Christmas wrapping is often used once and thrown away, but it does not have to be. Reusing paper, you already have, newspaper, brown parcels, fabric, tea towels, jars, boxes, or scarves instantly lowers your festive footprint, and tying with twine, saved ribbon, or dried botanicals adds beauty without the waste. If you are not familiar with the Japanese art of Furoshiki, or wrapping in fabric it's time to get acquainted on you tube.

4. Decorate Without Buying New

Resisting the urge to buy brand-new decorations each year makes a powerful difference. Bringing out what you already own and refreshing your home with DIY pieces using foliage, citrus slices, pinecones, dried flowers, and repurposed jars for candle holders keeps things simple and low waste.

Making botanic air-dry clay decorations is another lovely option and is especially fun to do with kids to gift!  Note, stress level med to high when involving toddlers!

5. Make It Yourself

DIY is one of the most powerful low-waste (and love filled) habits you can lean into during the festive season. Creating handmade gifts like body balms, salt scrubs, infused oils, chocolate cover dates, spice blends, preserves, or sweet festive snacks reduces packaging, avoids hidden toxins, saves money, and adds heartfelt meaning to what you give.

Wishing you all a restful, safe & festive time with your families and sending love to those that have empty seats at their table this year. 

Yours in nourishment

Sarah xx