The holiday season is a chance for cosy gatherings, meaningful gift exchanges and joyful moments with loved ones. At the same time, the festivities are often wrapped in a less-than-jolly reality: a surge in waste.
With so much packaging, wrapping paper, plastic toys and decorations often tossed aside before the New Year, it's time to rethink how we celebrate.
The team at the share five simple, low-waste ideas to help you enjoy a sustainable, homemade holiday B次元官网网址� and ensure the memories outlast the waste!
- DIY decor. Add warmth and authenticity to your holiday space with DIY decorations. Use natural and repurposed materials from home, like dried orange garlands, cardboard gingerbread houses, or ornaments crafted from old book pages. Craft decorations from favourite toys for a nostalgic twist, or make a colourful garland with old gift wrap, bags or cards.
- Go natural. Venture outside to your backyard to collect twigs, branches and cones to create rustic wreaths that capture the essence of our West Coast landscapes. Look to your evergreen trees and shrubs for added greenery and berries to wind in for added colour and texture.
- Sustainable wrapping. Rethink your approach to gift wrapping. Repurpose everyday items like newspapers, paper bags you can colour, old book pages, old calendar pages or maps for a personal and eco-friendly touch. Give wrapping paper and gift bags a second life, or try dual-purpose wrapping gifts, where a cosy sweater or a charming tea towel can double as both wrapping and an extra gift, adding a sustainable touch to your presents.
- Green gifts. Celebrate the season with gifts that create lasting memories and less waste. Experience gifts like memberships, local dining or cooking classes often make memories that last longer than material items. Homemade gifts like preserves, baked goods or handcrafted items can also spread joy with minimal waste.
- Smart storage. Until next year... store decorations carefully and you'll be able to use them year after year. Use shredded wrapping paper, newspaper, egg cartons or packaging from new toys or gadgets to protect delicate items.
This holiday season, make lasting memories while reducing waste. For more sustainable holiday ideas, visit, where you'll also find ideas for safely your tree and other items after the holidays and for at festive gatherings. Happy holidays!