Kiwis love celebrating Christmas. In fact, it’s the biggest holiday of the year with weeks of sales, festive activities and colourful decorations donning the streets and the stores in the lead up to Christmas Day.
It’s also a season that produces a high volume of waste. From spending more money on presents and Christmas decorations to the countless rolls of wrapping paper used only to be thrown away days later, the waste starts to add up very quickly.
The good news is, with a little bit of planning, a mindful approach and a few simple tricks, it’s possible to have a low-waste Christmas without losing the Christmas spirit.
From being a more conscious consumer to getting creative with your wrapping and decorations, this guide offers easy and affordable tips to make your festive season a sustainable one.
It’s time to put the green back in Christmas!
Supporting local brands and artisans is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint and waste this Christmas. New Zealand brands are often known for prioritising natural products or sustainable practices.
These local gifts also last longer, are of higher quality, and seem more thoughtful!
If you want gifts that feel special and sustainable, look for pieces created by local artisans and small businesses.
Experiences are another brilliant low-waste option. Think ferry trips, hot pools, adventure activities, restaurant vouchers, or creative workshops that your friends and family might enjoy.
They don’t require wrapping, will never end up in a landfill, create special memories, and are perfect for people who already have everything. Plus, it’s a great way to explore your own backyard over the summer holidays.
Don’t forget the treasure trove of thrifted and second-hand finds. Op shops, vintage stores, community markets, and Trade Me are all packed with unique, high-quality gifts that cost less and keep good items in circulation. From retro glassware and pre-loved books to wool blankets and quirky home décor, second-hand gifting is both sustainable and surprisingly chic.
Did you buy something a little too big and need help getting it home? Wise Move has you covered. We bring together thousands of movers from across New Zealand. As a moving services provider, we make it easy to book a Trade Me Delivery, a Man with a Van service or the best furniture removal team to get your gifts to their final destination.
Making your home feel festive doesn’t have to mean buying everything new each Christmas. With a little creativity, your decorations can still carry the festive spirit while remaining sustainable.
Everyday items can make for great Christmas decorations. Look around your house for decorative items that can be transformed with just a little bit of love. These small DIY touches help you avoid waste while giving your décor a personal, handmade feel.
When you’re adding new pieces to your collection, pick items made from long-lasting, sustainable materials, such as wood, glass, paper, metal, and natural fibres. These are durable, stylish, and less wasteful than cheap plastics or glitter-covered, single-use decor. They also tend to age more gracefully.
Don’t forget about hand-knitted, felt, or crocheted decorations. These can add a touch of whimsy to your tree while supporting local artisans.
Wrapping gifts doesn’t have to end with a mountain of rubbish at the end of the day. Here’s how you can make your presents look beautiful while avoiding trash bags full of wasted wrapping paper.
A lot of festive wrapping paper can’t actually go in the recycling bin, especially if it contains foiling, glitter, or plastic coatings. Instead, you can use plain kraft paper or brown paper. While this doesn’t make for the most interesting base, it’s what you do next that counts:
Tip: Unsure if your wrapping paper can be recycled? Give it the scrunch test! Scrunch a piece of wrapping paper into a ball, and if it unfolds itself, it likely can’t be recycled. Recyclable paper will stay scrunched into a ball.
If your presents need to travel, you can still keep things low-waste.
Paying to send presents a short distance can get expensive quickly, especially for large, bulky, or heavy items. Whether it’s a bike, outdoor gear, or a musical instrument, you can easily book an eco-friendly moving team on Wise Move to get your present from A to B without using any wrapping paper.
Live Christmas trees are a classic part of the Kiwi festive season. The scent alone evokes all the festivities of the summer holidays. If you’re thinking about getting a living tree this year, here’s what to know about choosing a sustainable live tree and how to care for it over the holidays.
View this post on InstagramEven though Christmas trees are pine and not a native species, buying a living tree is actually the most sustainable option in New Zealand!
Most come from dedicated local tree farms where trees are grown specifically for harvesting. This means that you’re not contributing to deforestation. These farms also replant their trees each year, so there’s a natural cycle of tree growth. You can also double-check with the grower that your tree is locally grown.
A good stand is important for safety, supporting your tree, and keeping it hydrated. You don’t need anything fancy either. The right-sized bucket, planter pot, or a proper tree stand (metal or wooden ones are best) will do the job. Here’s what to look out for when choosing the perfect Christmas tree stand:
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Let’s face it, moving your Christmas tree home can be a bit of a mission. Not only do you have to worry about carrying it and fitting it in your car, but you have to deal with the explosion of pine needles it leaves in its wake. But there are a few simple tricks to get your tree home in one piece without giving yourself a massive cleanup job.
Many farms will have already done this for you. This keeps the branches tight and prevents needles from spilling everywhere.
If you’re buying a Christmas tree that’s cut down on site, you’ll need to come prepared. Bring your own net if you have one at home; otherwise, easy alternative options include a large tarpaulin, painter’s drop cloth, or a sturdy sheet.
If you’re putting the tree on the car roof, protect the paint by placing a blanket or towel down first. Tie the wrapped tree down securely with ratchet ties or strong rope. Make sure you lay the tree down with the trunk facing forward so the wind doesn’t lift the branches as you drive.
If you’re putting the tree inside your car, lay down a sheet or tarp in the boot as well. This will catch any needles or debris that inevitably will escape the wrapped tree. Fold your back seats forward to give the tree enough room so that the branches can lie flat.
Once you’re home, protect your floors too. Place a mat, towel, or tree skirt under the stand to catch sap drips and inevitable needle fall. This will also make cleaning up after Christmas a lot easier, and you won’t be discovering needles months after your tree has gone to the landfill.
If you don’t have a car, or your chosen tree farm is a bit of a mission to get to, booking a van or small truck through Wise Move is the easiest stress-free option. A mover can pick up the tree, deliver it upright, and save you the hassle of wrestling it into a hatchback that was absolutely not designed for this job.
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In New Zealand homes, a well-cared-for tree usually lasts 3-4 weeks before it starts to dry out. This may vary, depending on the summer heat and your location.
If you put it up in early December, expect your tree to look its best until just after Christmas. If you wait until mid-December, it can easily last through to the New Year.
To maximise its lifespan:
At the end of the season, you can drop your tree at council green-waste facilities, get it mulched, or compost smaller branches at home. Don’t dispose of your tree just anywhere. Christmas trees aren’t native, and you don’t want them to spread where native plants could grow instead.
A low-waste Kiwi Christmas doesn’t have to mean high stress. Wise Move makes it easy to move gifts, furniture, and live Christmas trees anywhere in New Zealand. Replace multiple trips, long drives, and wrestling with large items with the ease of having the best professional moving teams help you with your mission.
It’s a no-brainer solution to make this your easiest and most sustainable Christmas yet.
