Smart Gifts, Less Waste: Rethinking the Holiday Shopping Season
Published on 03 November 2025
As the festive season approaches, it’s easy to get swept up in the excitement of deals, gifts and the rush to “get everything sorted.” Events like Black Friday trigger a surge in consumption, which carries an environmental cost that we can influence with every purchase we make.
In Australia, for example, a recent national poll found that 27% of people expect to receive Christmas presents they will never use or wear, and unused gifts are estimated to be worth over A$1 billion this year. Meanwhile, 47% of Australians say they don’t think about how a gift will eventually be disposed of. At the same time, Australians generate around 76 million tonnes of waste annually, and waste levels spike during the Christmas period (The Australia Institute, 2024).
Your Choice Matters
The good news is that change doesn’t rely only on big policy shifts — it starts with everyday decisions. This season, each of us can reduce waste and enhance the meaning of celebration by choosing intentionally instead of impulsively. Here are a few simple ways to make a difference:
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Pause before purchasing - Ask: Do I really need this? Will I (or the gift receiver) use it long‐term?
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Buy quality over quantity - A single thoughtful, durable gift is better than many items you won’t use. Looking for clothes, try shopping at your local op-shop, or head to good on you to see the sustainability rating for many brands (also beauty).
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Consider experiences or consumables - Giving tickets, workshops, memberships, or homemade treats often means more than things. Check out Council's events page to find an event near you.
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Support local and low‐waste options - Choose goods that are reusable, repairable or second‐hand where possible. Have a look at Destination Southern Highland's lists of local shops to help support our local economy.
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Gift with purpose - Something genuinely useful and valued reduces waste and increases joy.
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Wrap it sustainably – Choose reusable gift bags or create your own so they can be used again. If wrapping, avoid embossed or glitter paper (it can't be recycled). Opt for plain or recycled brown paper for a guaranteed recyclable option. Check out Council's Christmas Santa Sack sewing workshop to make your own reusable bag.
Small Changes, Big Impact
If every person in our community avoided just one unnecessary purchase this season, not only would we prevent waste, but we’d also reduce packaging, transport emissions and resource use. Multiply that across Australia, and the impact becomes significant.
This Christmas, let’s refocus on what truly matters — connection, kindness and thoughtfulness — rather than the pressure to buy more. Want to get your DIY low waste Christmas hit? Come along to our Upcycle Christmas decorations workshop. With a few conscious choices, we can enjoy a joyful, memorable and more sustainable festive season.