With Christmas fast approaching many Kiwis will be scrambling to get their presents and decorations sorted. But while the cost will be top of mind for many Kiwis, waste is another concern for some.
The holiday season can be a joyful time but it can also be an expensive and wasteful time, especially if kids are involved.
From toys that are used once and forgotten at the back of the cupboard to endless wrapping paper, Christmas can be an environmental nightmare.
So how can Kiwis enjoy a more sustainable Christmas without breaking the bank?
Polly Griffiths from the Sustainability Trust told Newshub Christmas is the most wasteful time of year in New Zealand.
"Kiwis produce 30 percent more waste over the holiday period," Griffiths revealed.
But she said an easy way to cut down on waste and save money is to forgo the latest gadgets and gizmos, even if they are tempting.
"Don't feel pressure to splash out on fancy, elaborate gifts. A thoughtful, small, thrifted or handmade gift is just as special, if not more," Griffiths said.
"Christmas doesn't have to cost the earth. Shop what you already have, get creative with handmade cards [or] gifts and create magical memories by crafting Christmas decorations together."
And if you do buy your gifts, shopping locally helps reduce their environmental impact, University of Auckland's Dr Niki Harre said.
"When you buy local crafts you strengthen social relationships and encourage people to spend time producing careful, beautiful work that has so many more layers than mass-produced products," Harre said.
Tips and tricks for kids during Christmas
But while your coworkers might love a handmade gift, it can be harder to convince youngsters to forgo what's in fashion.
For parents who are buying their children presents, Griffiths suggests going for durable, easily repairable toys without batteries and making sure you check in with relatives so there are no double-ups.
Sustainability Trust's lead educator Kim Tabrum told Newshub even if you buy your kids new presents, there are other ways to be sustainable
Tabrum suggested using DIY garlands of dried oranges, origami or flowers from the garden, popcorn garlands and cardboard leaf ornaments to decorate the tree.
"Once the holidays draw to an end you don't even have to worry about storage, simply pop them in the compost bin or recycle them."
When it comes to wrapping gifts, uncoated paper is the best because it can be composted or recycled and wrapping gifts in fabric is another great option," she said.
"[You could] give Furoshikithe [the] Japanese art of wrapping gifts in fabric a go."
Christmas is also an excellent time to clean out any old toys that haven't been used in a while which can either be regifted or given to a charity shop, Tabrum said.
"Modelling sustainable behaviour from an early age is the best way to get the rest of the whānau on board and create new traditions for the holiday season," she added.
Reducing food waste
With mounds of uneaten sweet treats and leftover ham often too big for the fridge - the festive season can often result in a lot of food waste as well.
Tabrum said a little bit of planning can help reduce the amount of wasted food.
"Food waste is a massive thing – plan your Christmas meal and stick to a budget. If
you find yourself with leftovers, use this in the days to come or share it with someone who will eat it."
She also suggested defrosting and eating things in the freezer before Christmas to create more storage for the leftovers.
Dr Harre told Newshub being sustainable doesn't mean changing everything about the way you celebrate, it just means adapting some things.
"Have fun with it if you can, and don't give up what you and your family really treasure."
