With just 3 weeks left until Christmas, the Beaches’ buying frenzy is building. And it’s hard not to avoid external pressure to spend big on presents, paraphernalia and food to show you care.

This year do things a bit differently with these tips to being more mindful about your time, consumption and what you buy to avoid sending more items to landfill.

Pre-loved is still love

Many of us buy clothes, books and homewares second-hand, so why not consider op shop gifting this year? A pre-loved puzzle for Pam or a scarf for Auntie Sue - op shopping is a fun treasure-hunt and a chance to make your money go far further.

Time trumps dollars

Avoid pricey last-minute buys. Gift wish-list adventures or experiences. Better still, curate a shared experience to do together. The value in dog walking, art gallery ambling and discovering new places together is priceless yet costs you nothing. 

Homemade

Creating a crafted, made, baked or sewn gift or two this year is a beautiful – and mindful - way to show someone how much you care about them. Not a natural maker? Seek inspiration online, get help from a creative friend or sign up for a crafty workshop.

Loan, love, return

Gifting a gadget or item for a new hobby is a risky route – an interest might be a passing fad or require an unattainable commitment. Instead gift a membership to the Library of Things and your loved one can road-test a different interest each week for an entire year. 

Reuse it - don’t bin it

Instead of binning unwanted items, think actively about how they can be reused. Gift to friends or family or donate to a for-purpose organisation. Sell them online or aim to make them as good as new by repairing or visiting the careful hands at Peninsular Toy Repair Library. You can learn about what not to bin on our website.

Wrap it well

Some of the most wasted – and excessive – seasonal purchases are wrapping paper, ribbons and cards. Where possible re-use items from previous gift giving and only buy new if made from recycled materials such as those from paper or cardboard. Better still avoid excess packaging and make your own.