Your Guide to a Waste-Free Christmas

The festive season is one of the busiest times of year for our kitchens. Between big shops, family gatherings, and endless leftovers, it’s easy for food to get forgotten, or even wasted. But it doesn’t have to be that way. From smart storage and safe food handling to thoughtful gifting and creative leftover ideas, our top festive tips will help you enjoy the season to the fullest while keeping good food out of the bin.

Smart Storage

Before the big shop, clear out your fridge, freezer, and pantry to make space for the extra food you will be storing over the festive period. This is also a great chance to use up what’s already there and avoid forgotten items going off. Don’t forget to check your fridge temperature, it should be between 2-5°C to keep your food fresher and safer for longer over the hotter months.

Shopping Smart

Once you have made space, it’s time to think about shopping smart. We’ve all had the experience of buying another can of tomatoes only to discover three waiting at the back of the pantry. The trick is to shop your kitchen first. Take stock of what’s already in your fridge, freezer, and pantry before writing a shopping list. When you are in the store, stick to that list, it is one of the simplest ways to avoid food waste and save money.

Food Safety First

With the summer heat, keeping food safe is especially important. Remember the 2-2-2 rule: refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours, eat them within 2 days, or freeze them, for best quality eat within 2 months.  It’s the simplest way to make sure your delicious feast stays safe to enjoy after the celebrations. For more tips to keep your food safe this summer, read more here.

Sustainable Gifting

Gift-giving is another area where you can make more sustainable choices. Thoughtful, eco-conscious presents don’t have to come wrapped in plastic or end up in the landfill. Homemade edible gifts are always a hit, and there are plenty of creative options that show you care about both the person and the planet.

Leftover Love

One of the best parts about the festive season? The leftovers! Planning for leftovers ensures they’re celebrated, not wasted, and with a little creativity, you can give them new life. Use festive treats to flavour ice cream, get creative with leftover ham and here are 8 ways with turkey. If you don’t get to eating your leftovers in time, freeze them for later. Leftover ham, chicken, BBQ meats, bread rolls, or even dips, hard cheeses, and gravy can all be frozen and enjoyed. Perfect for when you want an easy meal or need to whip-up something quick.

Planning ahead, storing wisely, shopping smart, and loving your leftovers, can help cut down on waste, save you money, and let you enjoy the season for what it’s meant to be, a time to connect, celebrate, and share.