Many Central families are grappling with a cost of living crisis this Christmas - grocery prices are up, petrol prices are up, inflation is up and rent is a large portion of the average wage. 

So, how can people act sustainably and do more with less cash?

Firstly, bring a plate - literally. Take a secondhand plate to Christmas functions. A preloved vintage plate is a low cost gift for the host, a good talking point. Secondhand dishes are cheaper and kinder to the environment than throwaway alternatives.

Bypass expensive gift wrap, many of these have a clear plastic coating so cannot be recycled. A Wastebusters spokesperson said there are plenty of wrapping alternatives such as sewing fabric gift bags, Furoshiki, the Japanese art of gift wrapping using fabric or a scarf, old magazines, kids’ art or pre-loved Christmas paper from last year.

Wrap gifts using fabric offcuts or scarves

Menu planning can keep costs down. Make sure you shop around, use what you can from your own garden, or barter or swap fruit, vegetables and herbs with your neighbours. Dig out your recipe books and do home baking, it’s much cheaper. 

Use leftovers smartly with a barbecue breakfast, or a frittata or quiche, do not throw food away if you can avoid it. Consider freezing leftovers to eat later. 

Brew it at home rather than spend up at the liquor store. Think ginger beer, home brew beer, elderberry wine, rhubarb wine - and remember to follow a recipe and drink responsibly.

Get arty. Homemade cards and decorations make great gifts for whanāu. Forage for pine cones to spray paint for the tree. With a hot glue gun, glue treasures or beads to a vintage picture frame with children’s art. Make homemade paper streamers, or wreaths from garden greenery.

Set a budget for presents, stick to it, or suggest secret Santa or a ‘homemade presents only’ rule. This can be fun for everyone, you could write a poem or a song and record a video of children performing it, then have a premiere on Christmas day. 

Consider group gifting or a sustainable or free present; you could offer to babysit to give others a night out. If you’re going camping, loan your house for a staycation to another family. Do the garden and lawns for your older relatives, or give out homemade car wash vouchers.  

Think before you spend. Personal Finance information website Banked said in a recent report that 60 per cent of Kiwis are stressed about the cost of Christmas.

New Zealanders will spend an average of $623 on presents this year, and almost two thirds (65 per cent) of survey respondents said they would be willing to pay more for a sustainable gift, with zero waste or made from recyclable materials. 

Finally, walk, cycle or carpool instead of getting in a taxi. You can share petrol and parking costs. Take a turn at sober driving - it’s kinder to the environment, better for your body and your wallet.  

Have you got tips for a sustainable Christmas holiday? Share them with [email protected]