Giving gifts
- Suggest to your family or friends that you organise a 'Secret Santa' between you, then ask for a gift list, so you can get something they will really love and buy fewer gifts..
- Choose a subscription for magazines or books, a membership for something they'll love or an experience such as an afternoon tea, escape room, theatre tickets, spa pampering or a day out.
- Buy items to help others live more sustainably – what about a reusable bottle or coffee cup, a shampoo bar, refillable soap, metal straws, or wax wraps? Remember your reusables.
- Make re-gifting acceptable - no one will know, it reduces waste and saves you money.
- Make your own gifts to avoid packaging. Think something edible or a crafty project.
- Try a local charity shop, second hand market or one of our reuse centres for a pre-loved bargain.
- Looking at toys for children? Consider wooden toys as they are more durable than plastic.
- Batteries - if you’re buying a battery-powered gift , buy a set of reusable batteries to go with it. Remember batteries don't go in household bins. Dispose of them at your nearest recycling centre or dedicated battery banks in shops.
- Include a gift receipt so a gift can be exchanged without causing offence.
- Not sure what to buy? Use the shopping mantra "want, need, wear, read" to avoid gifts that no one is going to use.
Food
Over Christmas, around 5 million Christmas puddings, 74 million mince pies, and 2 million turkeys are usually wasted in the UK.
- Check out our #WorthSaving campaign to see how you can follow 4 steps to save food and save money, not just at Christmas, but all year round!
- Turn your unloved sprouts or leftover turkey into something tasty – see recipes using Christmas leftovers.
- Recycle food waste at home if you have a separate food collection service, or add it to your home compost pile.