Budget for Christmas in 2022 with Greener Gifts

Budget for Christmas in 2022 with Greener Gifts

​With Christmas just around the corner, it’s just the right time to implement some last-minute budgeting ideas for a greener Christmas, and Budget Bee has you covered.

Christmas is all about exchanging personalised gifts over lavish lunches, creating new, wonderful memories with friends and family – new and old – and taking that much-needed break from the long year of obligations. Over the carefree, happy holiday break, budgeting can be left by the wayside, with regrets and money woes springing up in the new year.

But Christmas doesn’t need to break the bank – the joy, camaraderie, wonderful memories, and exciting stories can all be enjoyed with a few simple tricks from Budget Bee. And we can do our part for the planet at the same time.

Easy Christmas ideas to save your budget this festive season

From the big family gathering and the impressive Christmas decorations to the cards, gifts, and seasons greetings, the holiday bills can quickly stack up. Try some thrifty, environmentally-friendly Christmas tips to reduce your spending and your footprint.

Up-cycle and re-use old Christmas decorations

Clean-Up Australia is always a great source for thrifty ideas that benefit our big blue globe, and they certainly haven’t let us down this Christmas. Try finding sustainable materials for your Christmas decorations (think cardboard and paper instead of plastic and glass), or sit around with the family and kids to re-paint your old baubles to give them a personal touch and some new life!

If you need to buy new lights this year, go for LED bulbs – they last longer, use less electricity, and look great to boot.

Try some alternative dishes for your Christmas lunch

The Christmas ham may very well be an essential feature of your Christmas lunch, but some of those side dishes could easily save a little on ingredients. Try a vegetarian or vegan element to your festive meal this Christmas, and you’ll be cutting down on costs and doing a little more for the environment.

Go a step further, and avoid off-season produce by buying locally. Local produce produced in season is most often cheaper, healthier, and better for the planet.

Host a pot-luck

Most guests – friends, family, co-workers – won’t mind bringing a dish or two for the table. Often people just love the opportunity to share their cooking skills. Plan a main or two and delegate some of the other dishes to your guests to save on the hefty grocery bill this festive season.

Kris Kringle with a twist

For a fun, exciting Kris Kringle this year, try challenging your guests to only buy the gift from an Op Shop. Set a limit and watch your guests struggle to find the perfect gift amongst the pre-loved goods at the local Salvo’s, and you’ll be guaranteed a fun exchange without any hurt feelings or sad faces. It’s a great way to contribute to the charity of the season too.

Five fantastic green Christmas gifts

For the environmentally conscious shopper (or giftee!), a greener gift will make a statement.

Refillable beauty products

Gifting beauty products such as a premium moisturiser or scented soap is often a go-to for those relatives that are tricky to find a suitable gift for. This year try out The Body Shop’s refillable bottle program for a gift that just keeps giving. Any refillable product is a great gift because you can personalise the container and it has the potential to be used for years down the track, cutting down on plastic waste.

A native tree or shrub

Unless you’re buying for a real green thumb, plants rarely make great gifts and often just turn into a burden to be ignored. Native trees and shrubs are a completely different prospect. Where imported, foreign plants are difficult to keep alive; native plants require almost no intervention. Not only will you be giving a long-living plant to spruce up your giftee’s backyard, but you’ll also be contributing to the sustainability of your local environment – win-win!

Op shop gifts for young kids

There’s definitely an age where op shop gifts will begin to go underappreciated, but for those really young children who just want a few cars to play with, the local op shop is your friend. For the same price that you could buy a single toy from a store, you can often get your hands on a dozen second-hand toys at a charity store. Not only is your money going to a good cause, but you aren’t contributing to landfill with your gift-giving.

Make your own jewellery

If you’re interested in trying your hand at a new, fun hobby, homemade jewellery is simple enough and sure to impress this Christmas. Depending on how serious you want to get, you could go for a simple twine/string braiding set-up with a few beads or baubles, or go all out, buy a soldering iron and get crafting. The sky’s the limit!

Consult the experts

If Christmas is looming large and you still can’t find the right gift for a loved one, head over to the WWF website for some great environmentally-conscious gift ideas. They have some really great suggestions this year, including an opportunity to adopt a platypus – exciting!

Merry Christmas from Budget Bee

Regardless of how you spend your Christmas this year, just be sure to have fun, enjoy the precious moments with your loved ones, and be sure to enjoy a well-deserved break. For more top tips on budgeting and building a greener future, visit Budget Bee on his Facebook page.