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Sustainable Stocking Stuffers
This is part two of our Xmas-related blogs, check out Adam’s ideas for a sustainable Christmas here 😊
I’m an active relaxer and someone who is always down for a side-project or crafts with the kids. I often think “I could make that” or “why would I pay that much for that when I can do it myself”. Like Adam, I’m not going to advocate a completely zero-waste Christmas. In saying that, I hope to spark some ideas to save you a bit of money, bring meaning to your gifts and – as always – minimise waste at a very wasteful period. As always, progress not perfection!
#1 Homemade Condiments in a Jar
I love chilli oil, and go through so much of it, I had to start making it myself or go broke. You might have a bunch of feijoas in the freezer or like pickling onions. Whatever it might be, why not make a big batch, do up a label on Canva, pop it in a jar and share the love! This is a great ‘adult’ gift for the aunties and uncles in your life – homemade, delicious and – most importantly – meaningful.
If you also want to go the chilli oil route, I recommend using this recipe as a guide.
#2 Homemade Cards
As people get older, things like homemade cards are so much more valuable than “stuff” that they probably wouldn’t choose themselves. This is especially great for the older people in your whanau. If you have kids, get them involved too. Print out some family pics, press some flowers, splash a little paint on and there you go!
#3 Christmas Decorations
We decorated our Christmas tree earlier this week, always a special time. The wooden tree got brushed off and the decorations were brought out of storage. Then we blasted out the Xmas tunes and we all spent a happy hour decorating the tree. As we were doing this I reflected on the meaning behind some of the decorations. The crazy Santa that Adam and Cillian made one year, the school projects brought home and made ready for the tree and the little gifts that people had given us over the years. For me, these decorations carry a lot of meaning and I appreciate them anew every year. So get cracking and make some Xmas tree decorations! Side note, my wonderful colleague Eleni is less than thrilled with this idea. I believe her exact words were “why would you give something that can’t be used for a whole year”. Your millage may vary.
#4 Op Shop Stocking Stuffers
This works better if you start it early, but I’ve also done it on holiday with a week to go – (thank you, brilliant Kaikoura op shops). Pop into all your local op shops when you’re nearby (i.e. you don’t need to make a special trip) and start collecting little second hand toys, cards, cars, pens etc, and put these aside to use as stocking stuffers. The best part? When the kids get bored of them, re-donate them and make another kid’s day.
#5 Something you Can Grow
Why not include a little packet of seeds (herbs, native wildflowers, or a favourite veggie) and a little pot as a stocking stuffer this year. It’s simple, low-waste and gives a gift that keeps on giving long after Christmas: a fresh herb garden on the windowsill, a pollinator patch in the garden, or homegrown veggies on the plate. Maybe pop in a note about when to plant and how to care for them. It’s a small gesture that can grow into something meaningful.
Side note: Keep an eye out in 2026 for Enivo Pots, a young kiwi entrepreneur creating plant pots without plastic.
#6 Solid Toothpaste Gift Packs
Have to do the self promotional plug right? These super cute tubes contain 3 jars of Solid Toothpaste or Tablets. You can even choose your own combo to perfectly suit your gift-ee. Click here.
All of these ideas are easy ways to fill that stocking and have a more sustainable Xmas. As you might note, they are also good ways to save money at a time where the budget can be a little stretched. Most importantly, they are all ways to connect with the people you love in your life – either through meaningful gift giving or spending screen-free time with those you love.