Category: Christmas

Low Waste Secret Santa

Jeannie’s family loves Christmas and she has the best low waste Secret Santa tips. LOVES it. They are close and love the chance to spend time together, laugh, sing and eat (we love that too). But Christmas these days looks vastly different to 5 years ago.

Back then, the aftermath of the Christmas morning unwrap was epic. Piles of wrapping paper, cards, envelopes, packaging, and in amongst the quality gifts, plenty of junk, stuff that was well-intended but never to be used. Things for that “so hard to buy for” person, destined for a dark cupboard, the op shop, or worse still, landfill. Her family was never going to give up gift-giving altogether, but they have made huge changes.

A few years ago, they agreed on a family “Secret Santa”. They use a Gift Exchange platform called Draw Names https://www.drawnames.com.au which allows them to secretly pick a name, and on their own profile, they can make a Wishlist of experiences and needed items. They decided to make the upper limit generous (as they are only buying one gift now) and all this means they can buy a quality gift that will be valued, and the “surprise” of the day is finding out who has whom!

Once they had that bit nutted, Jeannie’s sister got her seamstress on and made simple, large calico bags, one for each family member with their names embroidered on. Now part of the ritual is grabbing the bag that belongs to your person and placing their gifts inside. No more gift wrapping!

Christmas morning looks, different now, but it honestly feels better, more fulfilling, and is free from the guilt of overspending, overconsuming, and creating so much waste!


Homemade Gingerbread Biscuits Recipe

Celebrate the joys of homemade treats with these delightful gingerbread biscuits. Perfect as gifts or just to enjoy with a cup of tea, these biscuits are sure to be a hit. Follow this simple recipe using quality ingredients from Wasteless Pantry to ensure your treats are not only tasty but also sustainable.

Ingredients:

  • 125g butter
  • 1/3 cup brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup castor sugar
  • 1/4 cup golden syrup
  • 1 egg, lightly beaten
  • 2 cups plain flour
  • 1/4 cup self-raising flour
  • 1 tbsp ground ginger
  • 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda

Instructions:

  1. Cream the Mixture: In a mixer, beat the butter, sugars, and syrup until light and creamy. Gradually beat in the egg.
  2. Prepare the Dough: Sift in the flours, ginger, and bicarbonate of soda, stirring until just combined. Knead the mixture on a well-floured surface for 1-2 minutes.
  3. Chill: Roll out the dough to about 5mm thickness and refrigerate for 15 minutes, or until firm enough to cut into shapes.
  4. Bake: Cut into your desired shapes, place on a lined baking tray, and bake at 180°C for 10 minutes or until golden brown.
  5. Cool and Decorate: Allow the biscuits to cool before decorating as desired.

Benefits of Shopping at Wasteless Pantry: Purchasing your baking ingredients from Wasteless Pantry means you’re choosing high-quality, sustainably sourced products. By buying in bulk, you reduce packaging waste and only get what you need, minimizing food waste. Wasteless Pantry’s commitment to reducing environmental impact makes it the ideal place to source ingredients for all your baking needs.

Enjoy crafting these delicious gingerbread biscuits knowing you are supporting sustainable practices that benefit the environment. They make wonderful gifts that show not only thoughtfulness but also a commitment to quality and sustainability.


Christmas Gift Guide

Christmas Gift Guide

Check out our Christmas Gift Guide if you are on the hunt for eco-friendly Christmas presents? Get comfy, put your feet up and shop from home this year with our gift guide full of wonderful gifts for everyone. 

Thank You gifts

For the Little Ones

For the Beauties

For 'Chat over a Cuppa' types

For those that like to get out and about

For a Greener Home

Just a few ideas to get you inspired!!

Much more available in-store and online.

Find it at your local store here


Dark Chocolate Almond Bar Recipe

Looking for a simple, delicious treat that you can make in minutes? This Dark Chocolate Almond Bar recipe is your answer! With only three ingredients, it’s a quick and easy snack that’s perfect for gifting or enjoying yourself. Plus, when you purchase your ingredients from Wasteless Pantry, you’re making a sustainable choice while indulging in a tasty treat.

Dark Chocolate Almond Bar Recipe

Ingredients:

  • 2 1/2 cups dry roasted almonds (from Wasteless Pantry)
  • 300g dark chocolate buttons (from Wasteless Pantry)
  • A pinch of salt

Instructions:

  1. Melt the Chocolate
    Place 300g of dark chocolate buttons into a heatproof glass bowl. Set the bowl over a small pot of boiling water, ensuring the bottom of the bowl doesn’t touch the water. Stir the chocolate until fully melted. This step should take about 5-7 minutes. Once melted, remove the bowl from the heat.
  2. Add the Almonds
    Pour 2 1/2 cups of dry roasted almonds into the melted chocolate. Stir until all the almonds are completely coated with chocolate.
  3. Prepare the Mixture
    Line a baking tray with reusable baking paper. Spoon the chocolate-almond mixture onto the tray and smooth it out evenly to the desired thickness.
  4. Set the Chocolate
    Let the tray cool at room temperature or place it in the refrigerator for faster setting. The chocolate should take about 30 minutes to fully harden at room temperature or 15 minutes in the fridge. Once set, sprinkle a pinch of salt over the top for added flavor.
  5. Serve and Enjoy
    Once the chocolate has completely hardened, cut or break the bar into pieces. These make excellent gifts or a tasty snack for yourself!

This recipe makes a large bar that can be stored in an airtight container for up to two weeks, though it’s so delicious it might not last that long!

Why Buy Ingredients from Wasteless Pantry?

At Wasteless Pantry, we offer high-quality, packaging-free ingredients that allow you to make recipes like this Dark Chocolate Almond Bar while reducing waste. Our almonds and dark chocolate buttons can be purchased in bulk, so you can buy exactly what you need and avoid unnecessary packaging. Not only does this help reduce plastic waste, but it also ensures you get fresh, top-quality ingredients for your treats.

By shopping at Wasteless Pantry, you’re supporting a sustainable lifestyle that prioritizes reducing environmental impact. Small choices, like buying bulk chocolate and nuts for your homemade snacks, can make a big difference in cutting down on waste.


Win the War on Waste This Christmas

Could you win the war on waste this Christmas? Christmas is often a time of excess—excessive packaging, food, and waste. But what if you could help reduce waste this festive season? At Wasteless Pantry, we’ve been recognized as Waste Champions by the Waste Authority of WA, and we’ve learned that the true champions are the community members who lead by example in their everyday lives. There’s no better time to inspire others to embrace a low-waste lifestyle than during Christmas, when waste is at its peak.

Every year, millions of unwanted gifts are excessively packaged and wrapped, only to be stored away, regifted, or thrown out. Kerbside bins overflow with polystyrene, wrapping paper, packaging, wasted food, and plastic bags. Instead of contributing to the waste problem, let’s focus on creating a more enjoyable and sustainable holiday season. Here’s how you can win the war on waste this Christmas.

Plan Ahead for a Low-Waste Christmas

The key to reducing waste is all in the planning. Consider the type of Christmas you want to have: one filled with family traditions, time with loved ones, generosity, and relaxation. Keep your core values in mind when deciding what to buy or how to celebrate. It will help you realize that the $2 plastic toy may not align with your vision for a meaningful, low-waste holiday.

Tips for Reducing Waste This Christmas

  1. Plan Your Meals
    When planning Christmas meals, avoid over-catering. Plan for what will realistically fit on a plate rather than what your eyes may want to try. This will help reduce food waste and leftovers. If you do have leftovers, transform them into easy meals for later. Get creative, and you’ll save time and effort while minimizing waste.
  2. Share the Load
    Ask guests to bring containers for leftovers. This way, everyone can take home food, and you’ll reduce the chances of waste. Turn Christmas lunch leftovers into a simple dinner, and you’ve given the gift of a relaxing Boxing Day without any cooking required!
  3. Use Reusable Containers
    Serve your Christmas dishes in beautiful containers that also double as storage for leftovers. If food doesn’t make it to the fridge quickly and easily, it’s more likely to be thrown out. Avoid cling wrap, and opt for containers with lids to keep your food fresh.
  4. Organize Your Bins
    Make sure your recycling, composting, and reusing bins are clearly marked. Know what can be recycled locally to ensure that as little as possible ends up in landfill. Even better, encourage reuse—children often love playing with boxes and packaging, giving them a second life before they’re recycled.

Final Thoughts

Christmas doesn’t have to be wasteful. With a bit of planning and mindfulness, you can reduce waste, share the love, and enjoy a more sustainable holiday season. By focusing on eco-friendly traditions, reducing food waste, and eliminating excessive packaging, you’re not just giving to your loved ones—you’re also giving back to the planet.


Zero Waste Entertaining

The festive season is all about celebrating with good food and great company. As much as I love the idea of preparing a feast, I prefer meals that can be made ahead of time so I can spend more time connecting with guests and less time in the kitchen. With a little planning, you can entertain in a sustainable way by reducing waste and creating delicious, zero-waste meals. Here’s a simple, tried-and-true meal plan for your next gathering.

Starters

  • Dukkah, olive oil, and chunks of crusty bread
    Zero waste tip: BYO containers to Wasteless Pantry for the dukkah and oil. Bring your reusable bread bag to the bakery for plastic-free bread, or better yet, make your own!

  • Soya crisps, Nordic crackers, corn chips, and smashed avocado
    Add a little lemon juice to the avocado for a quick and tasty dip, and serve with rice cracker salad or mixed nuts.
    Zero waste tip: BYO containers for snacks from Wasteless Pantry and use a reusable produce bag for the avocado. Serve the snacks in wide-mouthed upcycled jars—just pop the lid back on if they’re not finished, and nothing will go stale.

Main Course

  • Brown Rice Salad
    Super easy to make in about 20 minutes, this salad is perfect for lunch leftovers in the days following your event. Soaking the rice overnight will reduce cooking time.
    Zero waste tip: BYO containers for rice, seeds, currants, oil, and soy sauce. Use what you have on hand—swap red onion for shallots or sultanas for currants to minimize waste.

  • Roasted Vegetables
    Roast whatever veggies you have available, even if they’re looking a bit limp.
    Zero waste tip: Use reusable produce bags when shopping, and skip the peeling—just wash and roast. Reusable baking liners or a lightly oiled tray will eliminate the need for disposable baking paper.

  • Roasted Meat or Chicken Wings
    Choose smaller cuts of meat to reduce cooking time and energy consumption, and serve with a variety of roasted vegetables.
    Zero waste tip: Take your own container to the butcher to avoid plastic packaging. Encourage your guests to fill up on veggies for a healthier, lower-impact meal.

Dessert

  • Christmas Cake
    This long-lasting cake (up to 3 months!) ensures you’ll always have something on hand for unexpected visitors.

  • Fruit Platter or Grilled Stone Fruit with Cinnamon Sugar
    Zero waste tip: Buy in-season, local fruit to reduce food miles. Leftovers can be used for smoothies or fruit salad. Grab your cinnamon sugar from Wasteless Pantry in a reusable container—it’s a perfect match for grilled fruit.

  • Bliss Balls
    These can be made ahead and frozen in batches, so you’re always prepared for last-minute gatherings.
    Zero waste tip: Get creative with the ingredients—use up what’s already in your pantry, whether it’s macadamia nuts, sunflower seeds, or dried apricots. Roll them in coconut or dip them in chocolate for an extra treat!

Final Thoughts

This zero-waste meal plan is customizable, simple, and delicious! It’s also an opportunity to showcase how easy it is to entertain sustainably. By sourcing ingredients from Wasteless Pantry and using reusable containers and produce bags, you’ll reduce packaging waste and food waste while enjoying a festive feast with friends and family.


Zero Waste Christmas Cake Recipe

Looking to bake a Christmas cake that’s not only delicious but also environmentally friendly? Try this old-fashioned Zero Waste Christmas Cake, the winning recipe from this year’s Wasteless Pantry Bake Off. With ingredients you can easily purchase packaging-free from Wasteless Pantry, this cake is a perfect treat for the holiday season. Plus, it can be stored for up to 3 months, ensuring you always have a festive dessert ready to share.

Ingredients:

  • 510g sultanas
  • 265g raisins
  • 155g currants
  • 150g pitted dates (chopped)
  • 100g glace cherries (chopped)
  • 75g dried cranberries
  • 75g dried pineapple
  • 50g mixed peel
  • 185ml brandy (or substitute with orange juice for an alcohol-free version)
  • 2 tsp finely grated orange rind
  • 250g softened butter (can substitute canola oil for a dairy-free version)
  • 200g brown sugar
  • 4 eggs (or substitute with 4 tsp flaxseed meal mixed with 4 tbsp water for an egg-free version)
  • 300g plain flour (or substitute gluten-free plain flour)
  • 2 tsp mixed spice
  • Blanched almonds & cherries for decoration
  • 2 tbsp brandy to drizzle (optional)

Method:

  1. Macerate the Fruit
    In a large bowl, combine the sultanas, raisins, currants, dates, glace cherries, cranberries, dried pineapple, mixed peel, and brandy (or orange juice). Cover with a lid and let it sit for 2 days to allow the fruit to soak up the flavors.

  2. Prepare the Cake Pan
    Grease a 22cm cake pan and line the base with a reusable tray liner or grease a springform pan. Preheat the oven to 150°C.

  3. Cream the Butter and Sugar
    In a separate bowl, beat the softened butter and brown sugar together until creamy. Add the eggs (or flaxseed mixture) one at a time, beating well after each addition.

  4. Mix the Cake Batter
    Stir the butter mixture into the macerated fruit mixture. Then add the flour and mixed spice, folding until just combined.

  5. Fill the Cake Pan
    Spoon the mixture into the prepared cake pan, tapping the pan lightly on the benchtop to release any air bubbles. Arrange the blanched almonds and cherries on top for decoration.

  6. Bake the Cake
    Cover the cake pan with a larger cake tin (to prevent the top from browning too much) and bake for 2 hours and 30 minutes to 3 hours at 150°C.

  7. Finish the Cake
    If desired, drizzle the hot cake with an additional 2 tbsp of brandy. Allow the cake to cool thoroughly in the pan before turning it out.

  8. Storage
    Store the cake in an airtight, dark container for up to 3 months, allowing the flavors to develop over time.

Benefits of Shopping at Wasteless Pantry

By purchasing your ingredients from Wasteless Pantry, you’ll minimize packaging waste and support a sustainable lifestyle. Bring your own containers to refill with dried fruits, flour, sugar, spices, and other essentials. With eco-friendly alternatives available for all your baking needs, you can enjoy a delicious Christmas cake while reducing your environmental impact.

Wasteless Pantry makes it easy to live a zero-waste lifestyle, offering bulk ingredients that help you avoid unnecessary plastic packaging and minimize food waste. Plus, buying only what you need ensures that your pantry stays organized and nothing goes to waste.


Practical Gift Giving Guide

Do your Christmases and birthdays often involve exchanging plastic, over-packaged trinkets and novelty gifts that are quickly forgotten? Maybe you’ve even been the recipient of such gifts. It’s so easy to get swept up in the consumerism of the festive season and make rushed purchases, but thoughtful, practical gift-giving can make all the difference.

As someone passionate about living with less waste, I understand the temptation to buy things during the holidays. Who doesn’t love doing nice things for others? But doing something thoughtful doesn’t always mean buying just to give. It’s important to consider the life of the gift you’re purchasing.

Ask yourself these questions when selecting a gift:

  1. Will this gift bring joy for years to come?
    If yes, then it’s a great choice! If not, perhaps just share the fun story of what you found instead.
  2. Does the person have space for it?
    If yes, fantastic! If not, consider consumable gifts that won’t take up room in their home.
  3. Does this gift align with the person’s values or lifestyle?
    If yes, it’s a thoughtful gesture. If not, you may want to reconsider and support them in becoming the person they want to be.

Choosing the perfect gift is challenging, but don’t forget to ask yourself: Does this person even want a gift from me? Sometimes your time, a helping hand, or a kind gesture can be more meaningful than a physical present.

Practical Gift Ideas from the Wasteless Pantry team:

If you feel you must give something, here are a few low-waste, thoughtful ideas:

  • Handmade Tea Blends: Create a custom tea blend using herbs like lemongrass, peppermint, hibiscus, or chamomile. Package it in a reusable container.
  • Fragrant Bath Bags: Fill a soap nut bag with Epsom salts, bicarb soda, and dried herbs for a soothing bath soak.
  • Homemade Soaps: Palm oil-free soaps make a great gift for eco-conscious friends.
  • Chocolate Bars and Rocky Road: Make your own chocolate bark by melting chocolate and adding toppings like nuts, seeds, and dried fruit.
  • Reusable Items: Support friends aiming for a zero-waste lifestyle with reusable coffee cups, shopping bags, baking liners, or stainless steel drink bottles.
  • Recipe Jars: Assemble the ingredients for a favorite recipe in a jar, with instructions attached for easy cooking.

These ideas are just the start! Visit Wasteless Pantry for more eco-friendly gift options and personal advice.


12 Ideas for a Zero Waste Christmas 

The holidays are a time for celebration, but they often come with a lot of unnecessary waste. This year, why not take a step towards a zero-waste Christmas? You don’t need to compromise on joy or fun – just make a few mindful changes. Here are 12 practical and eco-friendly ideas from Wasteless Pantry to inspire you to celebrate a zero waste Christmas without creating extra waste.

1. Skip the Gift Wrap
Instead of traditional wrapping paper, consider reusable options like fabric gift bags, pillowcases from op shops, or even children’s artwork. Furoshiki, the Japanese art of wrapping gifts in fabric, is another beautiful and waste-free option.

2. Repurpose Old Christmas Cards
Reuse last year’s Christmas cards as gift tags or create new cards from them. Better yet, send an e-card to reduce waste even further.

3. Use Reusables for Your Meals
Avoid disposable plates and cutlery by using cloth napkins, stainless steel straws, glass bottles, and metal utensils. Set up a washing station so guests can help with cleanup.

4. Secret Santa or Kris Kringle
Simplify gift-giving by opting for a Secret Santa. This reduces the number of gifts exchanged, allowing you to focus on more thoughtful, higher-quality presents.

5. Gift Your Time
Instead of a physical gift, give a voucher for your time. Whether it’s a day out or a homemade dinner, time spent together is the most valuable gift.

6. Be Mindful of Portions
Avoid food waste by preparing reasonable portions. Think about what fits on a plate, and resist over-catering to ensure that everyone enjoys the meal without excess.

7. Make Something Homemade
Create handmade gifts like baked goods, crafts, or artwork. If you’re stuck for ideas, try a gift jar with all the ingredients for a favorite recipe.

8. Reuse Decorations or Use Natural Materials
Reuse last year’s decorations or gather natural materials like pinecones, branches, and cinnamon sticks to create beautiful, eco-friendly holiday decor.

9. Share Leftovers
Ask guests to bring a reusable container so they can take home leftovers, reducing food waste and giving them an extra treat.

10. Buy Local and Seasonal Produce
Choose locally sourced, in-season fruits, vegetables, meats, and seafood for your holiday feast. Support local farmers and reduce your carbon footprint.

11. Support Local Wineries and Breweries
When buying celebratory drinks, consider visiting local wineries, breweries, or distilleries. Some may even allow you to refill bottles or buy growlers.

12. Donate to Charity
Clear out unused items in good condition and donate them to local charity shops. It’s a great way to help others while decluttering your home.

Bonus Idea: Give the Gift of Experiences
Instead of material gifts, offer experiences like tickets to the zoo, the movies, or even a hot air balloon ride. These create lasting memories without adding clutter.