And just like that, the holiday season is fast approaching us once more. In previous years, we’ve put together conscious gifting blogs like this one, but after seeing Ethically Kate’s recent Christmas gift guide – which is fantastic and more comprehensive than anything we could produce! – we thought that our time would be better spent highlighting the impacts of the holiday season and providing suggestions on how to navigate it consciously, rather than recommending specific gifts. 

On average, Kiwis produce 30% more landfill waste over the Christmas period. This is mirrored in other countries around the world who celebrate Christmas, with waste levels increasing by around 30% globally during the festive season. Christmas time also sees a surge in emissions due to increased consumption across food, travel, gifts, and lighting – research by the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) estimates that an individual celebrating Christmas in a typical Western way could generate as much as 650 kg of CO₂ over the holiday period (about 5.5% of their annual carbon footprint). With the average person in high-income countries emitting more than 30 times as much as those in low-income countries, your Christmas emissions would likely be higher than the yearly total of someone from a low-income country. 

In addition to the environmental repercussions of the holiday seasons, there are social repercussions to reckon with too. Globally, billions of dollars are spent on Christmas gifts (with the US alone reaching $957 billion in holiday retail sales in 2023) and the human rights impacts associated with these purchases are significant, with many popular gift items (like electronics, clothing, and jewellery) being manufactured under harsh labour conditions or through exploitative practices. 

So, how can we navigate the holiday season in a mindful way, while still enjoying all the food, fun, and festivities that the holidays have to offer? We all have the power to make a difference with our choices; for those of you who need some extra guidance, we’ve compiled the following suggestions for a conscious Christmas season: 

Minimising waste 

• Rethink wrapping: it’s estimated that Kiwis use 1,600 tonnes of wrapping paper over Christmas, which primarily ends up in our landfills. Avoid this unnecessary waste by opting for reusable options like fabric wraps or bags, which you or your gift recipients can hold on to, or simply skip gift wrapping altogether. 

• Plan meals and freeze leftovers: a New Zealand study found that leftovers not used (42%), too much-cooked food (26.1%) and too much food bought (16.2%) are the main drivers of food waste during the festive season; to avoid this, do your Christmas shopping with a plan to prevent over-purchasing, cook only what you need to, and freeze your leftovers if you know you won’t get around to eating them for a while. Compost any unavoidable scraps to keep waste out of landfills. 

• DIY decorations from nature: skip plastic decorations and instead collect pinecones, leaves, or branches to make your own holiday decor. After the season, these can easily return to nature or be composted. If you already have decorations, make sure to reuse them, and repair them if they need a little extra love. 

Cutting emissions 

• Travel thoughtfully: If you’re travelling for Christmas, consider alternatives to flying, such as trains or buses. If you’re staying nearby, carpool with family or friends to reduce vehicle emissions. 

• Choose local, seasonal foods: reduce the carbon footprint of the food you purchase by supporting local farmers and only buying seasonal produce. Buying from local markets is a great way to do this. Even small changes, like opting for locally produced beverages, can make a difference. 

• Conserve energy: if you’re using holiday lights, make sure they’re LED, and switch them off (or set a timer to do that for you) to save energy. Consider opting for candles instead of lights for a cosy, low-emissions atmosphere (and, of course, be mindful of any open flames). 

Ethical purchasing 

• Shop local: support local artisans, farmers, and stores whenever possible. Locally sourced goods not only reduce the likelihood of environmental or social harm in the products’ supply chains, but it reduces emissions and supports your community.  

• Look for Fairtrade and certified products: when buying products, prioritise brands that carry Fairtrade, B Corp, organic or other sustainability certifications to ensure your purchase aligns with ethical labour and environmental practices. 

• Gift experiences over things: tickets to an event, a homemade dinner, or a class can create meaningful memories without adding to the demand for physical goods. Experiences also generally have lower emissions and resource use associated with them than products. 

Conscious connection 

• Be present with your loved ones: research has found that spending time with family ranks as the thing New Zealanders most look forward to over Christmas (62% rated family time as number one, with only 13% of people rated giving or exchanging gifts as something they looked forward to). So, rather than stressing over Christmas shopping and finding the perfect gift, take time to connect with whoever you’ve spending the holiday period with. Catch up, be curious, reflect on the past year together, be kind, and be present. Maybe instead of a gift, take your loved one out for dinner or for a shared experience. 

• Volunteer for a worthy cause: we recognise that the holidays can be a challenging time for some people and not everyone will be spending it with loved ones. If you don’t have a Christmas plan, perhaps you could find a worthy cause to volunteer for, such as a local soup kitchen.   

• Create new shared traditions: start a new Christmas tradition with loved ones that focuses on sustainability, such as an annual nature walk, a homemade gift exchange, or a group crafting session using upcycled materials. These traditions create lasting memories and reinforce values you care about. 

A conscious Christmas doesn’t have to mean sacrificing joy, but rather celebrating in ways that bring us closer to what truly matters. By being mindful of our choices and making small, intentional changes, we can enjoy all the magic the holidays have to offer while caring for the planet and all the people in it. Wishing you a safe, sustainable, and special Christmas from the Go Well team.