For this year’s festivities, we’re tackling excessive food packaging and making the most of seasonal produce and recipes instead. From cranberry sauce to a homemade mulled wine spice mix, read on for the perfect, Pinterest-worthy additions to your Christmas menu.
Encouraged consumption over Christmas can leave us feeling the need to buy more stuff to fill our homes, our stockings and our fridges than we can possibly imagine ever needing. As the festive season gets into full swing, this year we are focusing on keeping things homemade and seasonal, slowing down our consumption and taking the time to make our own gifts, decorations and Christmassy extras.
A recent study predicted that 125,000 tonnes of plastic food packaging will be discarded over the festive period; a problem which can be eliminated, or at least lessened, by deciding to make things at home. Not only does a homemade mulled wine reduce plastic pollution, but will also fill your home with the Christmassy scent of nutmeg, cinnamon and orange zest while a spiced fig chutney is the perfect Boxing Day buffet accompaniment that makes the most of old seasonal produce and ‘back of the cupboard’ ingredients. Some holiday home cooking will get you feeling festive and set the path for a more conscious Christmas, as well as creating some low-waste, ethical gifts for your friends and family.