Meri Kirihimete me te Hape Nū Ia (Merry Christmas + Happy New Year)
Let the (Sustainable) Festivities Begin!
The sun is shining here in the deep south which means silly season is upon us! Many of us are privileged enough to have some time off and a bit of pocket money to play with, allowing us to feast and frolic with loved ones. We get away with socialising more, saying ‘heck yes!’ to dessert and even popping open that cheap bottle of bubbles before midday. Afternoon naps, long bushwalks and taking any opportunity to whip out our favourite set of frightfully tiny togs to embarrass the better half with are just a handful of activities we may find ourselves indulging in over summer.
One area of our lives we hope we won’t get too carried away with this silly season is the amount of waste we bring into our homes. If you are struggling to think of a gift idea for that person who just seems to have everything, try and resist the urge to run out and buy a silly, novelty gift that will probably end up shoved in a drawer somewhere…. or worse, in a landfill! For many, gifting is a ceremonial way of showing we care and a part of Christmas time we are just not ready to part with. So the team at Res.Awesome are here to share some tips on how to keep the waste flow not-so-silly this silly season!
Gifts!
Reusable Coffee Cup - everyone has that one friend who has been saying “I’ve been meaning to buy one! I’m getting there!” for about two years now. Beat them to the punch and grab them a reusable cup in their favourite colour.
Reusable Water Bottle - everyone needs to stay hydrated and we are pretty sure everyone also hates lining the pockets of fizzy drink companies every time we need to chug some h20
Tea infuser - these bad boys really help minimise waste as they reduce our reliance on the beloved tea bag. Loose leaf tea is often cheaper and it’s easier to know the ingredients as you can see it all for yourself. Many tea’s have microplastics and other nasties in them - check out our Reuse Revolution guide to learn more
Res.Awesome’s very own Reuse Revolution Guide - a bit of shameless self-promotion but it really is the perfect Christmas present!
Plant perfection - buy your mate a plant to show them you care! Plants are beautiful friends that help us purify the air we breathe; in our homes and workspace's
Silk Scarves - Say goodbye to wasteful wrapping paper and replace it with a wearable alternative. Is it just us or is wrapping paper the silliest invention of all time? It probably has the shortest life cycle of any product created! Hit the op shops and get more bang for your buck with wrapping material that can last a lifetime!
Gift your time! - Might sound lame but everyone has a long list of to-do’s that just seems to keep on growing. Make your friend a voucher for a couple of hours of elbow grease; maybe you can help them with the garden or rehem some curtains. If they are really your mate, surely a bit of quality time together is a gift for both of you!
Make it or Bake it! - Use your hands and your amazing summer produce to make something yum! Artists, get drawing! Seamstresses, get sewing!
Go Retro - Have a dig around some online second-hand retailers! This one means you have to be ahead of the game to get it shipped in time and perhaps ride the thrill of a bidding war, but we reckon old-school stuff is where it’s at. Maybe an old edition of their favourite book, a vintage game, an album on vinyl, retro decor from their favourite style era…. there is so much to choose from!
Second hand - Put a day aside to hit the op shops, trawl through the racks and find gems for other people. Finding a pre-loved item that someone else can get great enjoyment out of is priceless.
Compost Bin - For those friends and family members who consider themselves city-slickers and just don’t know where to start, the Bokashi Bin is a perfect gift. The Bokashi bin is a composting set-up that anyone can get the hang of.
SodaStream - For the friend who can’t quit the fizzy, grab a SodaStream. Making our own soda at home means we can get creative (and healthier) with flavour AND we can reduce heaps of plastic waste. Win-win.
Zero Waste Starter Kit - Get creative and fill some stockings! Hit the eco-friendly stores and pick up some package-free items. Plastic-free toothbrushes, razors, straws, soaps, deodorant, shampoo… the list goes on! Exposing people to the high-quality stuff that can only be found at eco-friendly stores might just be the kick in the pants your friend needs to get off the waste wagon.
GuppyFriend Washbag - These things are amazing! We dedicated a whole blog post to them, read it here. Pick one up from our online store
Gift a Goat! - There are some amazing charities out there who do the hard yards for you when it comes to doing good deeds. Donating a piece of livestock to a family in need in Vanuatu or any number of places can provide immeasurable sustenance for a family in need. So many charities allow you to make a donation and choose where it goes; donate in your friend’s name and make their day! We have compiled a list down below of just a few places where you can pay it forward this silly season.
Donate!
To help our communities thrive it is important for us to keep our eyes and ears open - always on the lookout for organisations who need a bit of extra help. Do a quick google search of charities doing great stuff in your area. Maybe even do a walk around your neighbourhood or ask friends if they know of any great youth initiatives in your area. So many charities don’t have the funds to keep their names out there and pay for a website or even have the time to stay up to date on social media. Grassroots organisations often operate via word of mouth so get chatting and see what you can find! Most charities accept random donations and we reckon your family and friends would love it if you made a donation in their name!
Whatever activities you get up to over this festive time, we hope you enjoy the sunshine, look after one another and create some great memories with your whānau.
Researched and written by Erin Cox
Edited by Fi Clements