Christmas is just around the corner and, if you’re motivated to reduce your carbon footprint, there’s no better time to come together as a family and rethink the traditional overindulgence.
You can still keep all the joy and magic of this special time of year while making choices that are good for the environment.
If you’ve been dreaming of a more sustainable Christmas, here’s our top tips for a “green” Christmas, including ideas for sustainable decorating, gifting, feasting and more. Create some new traditions and inspire family and friends.
Use our easy ideas for a “green” Christmas to reduce waste and lower your impact on the environment. Even the smallest changes can make a big difference, so choose your favourites and enjoy a more responsible holiday season.
Tips for Sustainable Decorating
Sustainable Christmas tree
Although plastic trees can be reused, ultimately, they end up in landfill. Some sustainable options include buying a real tree from a farm who replace their trees each year or a potted tree that can be planted or reused again and again. Read our article on Where to Buy a Real Christmas Tree in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie & Hunter.
Alternatively, think outside the square and recycle objects you already have around the home for a truly unique Christmas tree (there are lots of ideas on Pinterest).
Disposing of your Christmas tree
Ensure you have a clear idea about how you will dispose of your tree once Christmas is over. If your tree is potted, you could replant it or leave it in the pot to reuse next year. If you choose a real tree, pop it into your green bin to be recycled into mulch.
Christmas lights
Use energy-efficient LED lights for your Christmas tree and decorations. They consume less power, last longer than traditional lights and look just as good. Solar lights are another option.
Switch off your lights overnight
Of course, you want your Christmas lights on at night when they can be appreciated but you can save energy, and money on your energy bill, by turning them off overnight. Try setting a timer to turn them off at midnight.
Repair or recycle your Christmas lights
If your Christmas lights stop working, try repairing them. Often, it’s just one bulb, or the fuse in the plug, that needs replacing. If you are unsuccessful, try the weekly Repair Cafe at The Full Circle Collective in Newcastle or Repair It Lake Mac in Lake Macquarie. If that fails, they can be recycled.
Christmas lights often contain copper wiring, a metal that can be recycled over and over. In Australia, Christmas lights are classified as e-waste, so look out for recycling bins or take them to a recycling centre. Whatever you do, don’t send them to landfill.
Upcycle items around the home
Get creative and add a unique and personal touch to your Christmas decorating by upcycling items you already have around the home. There’s lots of great ideas on the internet. Make it a family affair by including the kids in the process.
Shop local
Support local artisans and businesses by shopping locally, or at a local market, for your decorations. Here is our list of Christmas Markets in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie & Hunter.
DIY Christmas crackers
Use recycled paper to make your own reusable DIY crackers. You can then fill them with sustainable options (like chocolates) and personalised items.
Tips for Sustainable Gift Giving
Set a budget to avoid overconsumption
Making a Christmas budget and sticking to it is a sensible thing to do. You can keep track of your Christmas spending by creating an Excel spreadsheet or by using the Track My Spend app. Here are some of our best tips for a Christmas on a budget.
Plan your Christmas shopping
Planning and completing your Christmas shopping in just one or two shopping trips will not only prevent overspending but also reduce car mileage. It will also help you to avoid the temptation to make additional purchases.
Choose quality over quantity
If you’ve ever received a gift you didn’t really want you’re not alone. Take the time to ask your friends and family what they would like to receive as a gift and put time and thought into choosing a quality gift that will last a long time.
Organise a Secret Santa
Have you noticed that when children have too many presents to play with, they actually stop enjoying them? If you have a lot of kids in your family suggest a Secret Santa. Each kid will receive a quality present, and less time and money will be spent on gifts.
Buy for less people
This year, be the one to initiate the hard sensible conversation of buying just for the kids. Or, instead of buying gifts for every member of your extended family, opt for a Secret Santa and set a limit to how much you are going to spend. For friends, decide in advance that you’re not going to swap gifts.
Give group gifts
When it comes to purchasing gifts for teachers, daycare staff, coaches etc, consider collaborating with other parents to buy a group gift. Restaurant or coffee vouchers are usually well-received, as are books and gift vouchers.
Choose gifts that have less packaging
Choose gifts that are practical, reusable, or eco-friendly. Consider homemade gifts, services, experiences, or gifts that promote sustainability.
Buy seed packets & gardening supplies
Give the gift of nature and get your kids planting and caring for a garden. You can choose from a variety of seeds including herbs, veggies or flowers. Australian eco business Sow ‘n Sow offer the gift of seeds which cleverly combines a greeting card with a packet of seeds to form a gift to grow. Each pack is made in Australia from 100 per cent recycled materials and includes a packet of seeds, a tearaway plant label for marking where seeds have been planted and an envelope for gifting or mailing purposes.
Battery-operated gifts
If you give a battery-operated gift consider giving rechargeable batteries and a battery charger as well.
Rethink novelty gifts
Instead of buying plastic, throwaway, novelty items as Kris Kringle gifts, try giving something handmade or homemade baked treats.
Shop local
Support a local business or maker by shopping locally, or at a local market, for your gifts. Here is our list of Best Local Shops for Children’s Toys and Gifts and Christmas Markets in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie & Hunter.
Gift an experience
Gift one of these 50+ Awesome Experience Gifts for Families and Kids Instead of More Toys. A voucher at a favourite restaurant or movie vouchers are good choices for families.
Buy second-hand
Purchasing second-hand items conserves resources required for producing new products. Vintage clothes, home furnishings, and refurbished technology are all sustainable gift options. Discover unique or vintage gifts at one of the many fantastic second-hand shops in Newcastle and surrounds. The Full Circle Collective and the Wallsend Op-Shop Trail are excellent places to start.
Charitable gifting
Give the gift of giving this year and donate to a local charity on behalf of your recipient. Some of our favourites are Variety The Children’s Charity, We Care Connect, John Hunter Children’s Hospital and Hunter Medical Research Institute.
Christmas craft
There’s no better way to get into the Christmas spirit than to get crafty with the kids. Instead of spending money on new items, make some thoughtful homemade gifts for teachers or family and friends. Here are 5 homemade Christmas craft gifts you can make with your kids.
Sustainable wrapping
Wrap your gifts in recycled or reusable materials. Brown paper, cloth, or even old newspapers are unique and sustainable wrapping options.
Tape-free wrapping
Google ‘furoshiki’. It’s a traditional Japanese method of using cloth to wrap gifts. It looks great and makes for unique, reusable wrapping. You could use a tea towel, scarves or a piece of bright second-hand fabric from a charity shop.
Reusable gift bags
Instead of wrapping paper and gift bags consider reusable gift bags. Some of the major chain stores now sell reusable fabric gift bags alongside less-sustainable wrapping. Better still, if you’re handy with a sewing machine you could make your own.
Back-and-forth card
Start the tradition of a back-and-forth Christmas card. This is where you and your recipient share a single card back and forth between you from year to year, each writing a small message. It will make a wonderful keepsake, and memento of your friendship, in years to come.
Re-gift purposefully
Once the excitement of Christmas is over and the kids grow bored of their new toys or grow out of their clothes, consider re-gifting them purposefully to We Care Connect. We Care Connect is a volunteer-powered local charity rehoming quality preloved children’s essentials with families who need them most on the Central Coast and Hunter Region. They support families with children’s clothing & shoes, bed linen, cots, bassinets, prams, car seats, safety gates, toys, games, books and a wide range of other items.
Dispose of e-waste responsibly
If you or the kids receive a new electronic gadget for Christmas be sure to dispose of your old one responsibly through an e-waste recycler. Planet Ark have a number of tech drop-off locations across the region.
Tips for a Sustainable Christmas Feast
Minimise food waste
Plan your meals carefully to minimise food waste. Use leftovers creatively and consider donating excess, packaged food to a local food pantry.
Use seasonal produce
Buying seasonal produce reduces the amount of energy spent on transportation and growing foods out of season.
Shop locally
Visit a local farmers markets to purchase delicious, in-season fruits and vegetables, meat, seafood, cheese and more.
Use reusable
As tempting as it is, ditch the single-use dinnerware and cutlery and opt for reusable (just make sure that your family and guests pitch in with the washing up!).
Other Tips
Christmas outfit
Before buying a new piece of clothing for your social events, have a look in your wardrobe for an outfit you already own. If you still can’t find anything to wear, ask to borrow from friends or family. Or try exploring second-hand shops for your next Christmas party outfit.
Go ahead and create some eco-friendly traditions this year by embracing some of the sustainable tips above. You might even inspire family and friends!
Do you have a great sustainable Christmas tip to add to the above list? Let us know at reena@newywithkids.com.au.
You might also like:
How Families Can Give Back at Christmas Time
Ultimate Guide to Christmas in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie & Hunter
Christmas Hacks – How to Get Organised For Christmas (Without Losing Your Mind)!
🎄 🎅🏼 Make sure that you don’t miss any of the other fun and family-friendly Christmas events and activities in Newcastle and the Hunter, visit the Newy with Kids Guide to Christmas.