Christmas in Australia comes with a lot of extra rubbish. CSIRO's festive-season tips say the country produces 76 million tonnes of waste a year and that this rises by about 30% over the festive season. Its scientists also estimate Australians use more than 150,000 km of wrapping paper, nearly enough to wrap around the equator four times.
With Christmas falling in summer, plenty of presents end up at the beach, in the car or at a backyard lunch. These green gift ideas for the holidays keep waste down without making the day feel any less generous.
Quick answer: The best green Christmas gifts in Australia need little or no wrapping: experiences, memberships or vouchers, second-hand finds, plants, homemade treats in glass jars and a reusable period cup. CSIRO also suggests wrapping in fabric or reused paper, and trying Secret Santa in big families so each person buys one gift.
What are the top green gift ideas for an Australian Christmas?
- An experience, membership or donation. CSIRO suggests experiences, memberships, gift vouchers or a donation to a cause instead of another physical item.
- Something pre-loved. Second-hand and pre-loved gifts are on CSIRO's list, and op shops and markets are good places to start looking.
- A plant. CSIRO names plants among its low-waste presents, and one can keep growing long after the tree comes down.
- Homemade treats in a jar. CSIRO suggests homemade jam or bath salts in glass containers, so no wrapping is needed. If you bake instead, NSW Love Food Hate Waste says hard biscuits can last 2 to 3 weeks in an airtight container with a paper towel, while soft ones are best eaten within 2 to 3 days.
- A reusable period cup. For a friend who has been curious about switching, a Lunette cup is made in Finland from 100% medical-grade silicone, was independently tested by the Danish lab TÆNK with no unwanted substances found, and lasts up to 10 years with proper care.
For a big family, CSIRO also suggests Secret Santa, or pooling money for one longer-lasting present.
How can you wrap presents without wrapping paper?
Use fabric, reuse what you have or skip wrapping entirely. CSIRO's tips include wrapping gifts in fabric, reusing paper and gift bags, using children's drawings, choosing cloth ribbon over plastic-based ribbon and making a Santa sack so presents need no wrapping at all. It also suggests shopping in person rather than online to cut down on packaging.
Is a period cup a good Christmas gift?
It can be, when the person has asked about one. A menstrual cup is personal, so it suits someone who has mentioned wanting to try it rather than a surprise. Lunette comes in two sizes. Size 1 has a 41 mm diameter and softer silicone and is recommended for a light to medium flow, a low cervix, teens or a sensitive bladder. Size 2 has a 46 mm diameter and firmer silicone for a heavier flow or a higher cervix. Lunette also sells a linen pouch for storing a cup between periods. If your giftee likes the idea of less plastic, our post on plastic-free periods is a good companion.
How do you keep Christmas leftovers from going to waste in summer?
Get food back into the fridge quickly. NSW Love Food Hate Waste's top storage tips for Christmas advise putting leftovers in the fridge within two hours of serving, and explain that bacteria are active between 5 and 60 degrees Celsius, the "danger zone". Its other suggestions include:
- lowering the fridge temperature by 1 to 2 degrees when it is very full, as it will be opened more often;
- serving salads in smaller portions, topping up as needed and adding dressing only when serving;
- keeping custards, dairy and cream desserts in the fridge until just before serving;
- clearing out the pantry and fridge before Christmas so existing food gets used first.
Frequently asked questions
How much extra waste does Christmas create in Australia?
CSIRO says Australia produces 76 million tonnes of waste a year and that the amount rises by about 30% during the festive season. It also estimates Australians use more than 150,000 km of wrapping paper, nearly enough to circle the equator four times, which is why reusable wrapping is high on its list.
Is Secret Santa better for the environment?
It can cut the number of presents bought and wrapped. CSIRO suggests Secret Santa for large families, or pooling money for one longer-lasting present, as ways to reduce waste at Christmas. Pair it with fabric wrapping or a reusable Santa sack and there is less paper to deal with as well.
How long do homemade Christmas biscuits last as a gift?
NSW Love Food Hate Waste says hard biscuits can last 2 to 3 weeks stored in an airtight container with a paper towel to absorb moisture, while soft biscuits are best eaten within 2 to 3 days, before they harden. Give soft ones close to the day and bake hard ones ahead.
Which period cup size should I choose for someone else?
If you can, ask, because the right fit depends on the person. Lunette recommends Size 1 for a light to medium flow, a low cervix, teens, strong pelvic floor muscles or a sensitive bladder, and Size 2 for a heavier flow or a higher cervix. Both hold more than 2 to 3 tampons' worth of fluid.
Looking for a present that lasts well beyond summer? The Lunette period cup is a reusable menstrual cup made from 100% medical-grade silicone. Before you buy for someone else, go through the period cup size guide together.
This article is general information, not medical advice: for questions about periods or period products for your own body, talk with your GP.
