If all you want for Christmas is a nice sit down and a catch up with friends and family, we’re here with a few life hacks that can simplify the ‘silly season'.
Because, let’s be honest, the biggest gift of all is downtime
Feel-good food
Sure, you want your guests to feel special. But spending hours in the kitchen can make you feel like a hot, bothered mess. Consider your own wellbeing this Christmas and opt for goodies you can prepare in advance, or even, ‘gasp’, tasty treats that come out of a packet, like strawberries, chocolate almonds and spiced Christmas biscuits for dessert. And remember that potluck gatherings are a wonderful way to share the load. If you know someone who makes the perfect pav, delegate.
Simplify gifting
This year, why not suggest that everyone buys for just one person? Not only does this mean less stress for all, it means more meaningful, thoughtful presents as well. Secret Santa games can also make life easier and more fun. Ask each of your guests to bring a wrapped gift up to a certain value and then pop them into a pile for everyone to choose from.
That’s a wrap
Make a statement (and save yourself a trip to the shops) by choosing upcycled wrapping, using items you already have lying around the house. Old ribbons, newspaper, dried flowers, twigs, brown paper and string work well, or ask a child to decorate some plain paper. After all, there’s nothing like throwing away piles of fancy wrapping paper to remind us how wasteful (and expensive) Christmas can be.
Give a little bit of good
If you’re wanting to make this Christmas your most conscious yet, pop into ecostore’s shop at 1 Scotland Street, Freemans Bay. There are plenty of incredible gift ideas, like plant-based home and body care products, reusable coffee cups and drink bottles, Merino Kids sleeping bags, eco-friendly toys, incense and more. Pick and mix your own gift sets or choose from beautifully curated ecostore collections to make life even easier.
ECOSTORE, 1 Scotland Street, Freemans Bay, T: 09 360 8477, www.ecostore.co.nz
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Published: November 2023