Many of us are looking to Christmas gifting a little differently this year — and recycled or handmade gifts are an affordable and thoughtful option.
It's an approach often used by Laelia Douglas-Brown, an acupuncturist from Sydney's inner-west.
"I have a creative background and I'm used to gifting artworks or handmade items to people," she says.
"For one, it's a values thing. Overconsumption is so prevalent, and I try to reduce my impact where possible.
"If they're OK with second-hand [gifts] or handmade, even better.
"But that said, I'm not going to buy or make something second-hand if it's not going to be enjoyed."
Here are some ideas to make your Christmas gifting more sustainable and affordable.
Laelia's handmade wooden gifts
Recently, Laelia made a handful of chopping boards using recycled wood offcuts.
"The chopping boards were prompted by my partner's dad, who is a woodworker and knew there was an existing interest in woodworking," she says.
"I gifted them to immediate family that I knew would love them and/or needed a new one."
She also picked up spoon carving skills during the COVID-19 pandemic, so some loved ones received these as gifts.
"I started doing it during lockdowns as a way to pass time as an active meditation," she says.
"[I] got some whittling knives online, and then gave it a crack.
"I've always loved working with my hands and tend to pick those kinds of things up reasonably well."
She says it's important to consider the recipients expectations when giving these "gifts from the heart", just like you would when buying a gift at the shops.
"If someone wants something specifically, I'm happy to get it for them, as long as I know it'll get used," she says.
"If I can find a more sustainable version and I know it'll be received OK, then I'll opt for that.
"I'm also unlikely to gift someone something I've personally made, unless I've gotten some signal that they'd like to receive it."
Give a green thumb a plant for Christmas
Mike Chadwick and his 10-year-old daughter Poppy share their gardening adventures on their Instagram account, Chad and Poppy.
"By simply being a green thumb, you can instantly and at any moment create a free gift from the plants and supplies you already have at home," Poppy says.
"It certainly reduces the cost of the festive season, especially with this current high cost of living.
"The ongoing costs and care of the living gift is basically zero and it uses less packaging and wrapping."
If you're giving a loved one a plant, it's best to set them up for success.
"We generally give plants that are low-light tolerant, have easier watering needs and need non-specific conditions," Poppy says.
"These are usually the way to go unless it's going to a plant person with indoor plant experience of looking after needier species."
They recommend philodendron, monstera, pothos and spider plants as hardy gift options.
In a personal touch that also simplifies care for the recipient, Poppy usually includes tips for a plant's water, light and humidity needs when giving them as gifts.
The pair began taking cuttings for Christmas gifts in late September and early October so they would develop enough root structure in time for Christmas.
"If you haven't already started your propagations then don't stress," Poppy says.
"Many common household plants you have will happily live just in water.
"An easy alternative is to reuse a jar/glass from home or find a decorative vase at your local op shop and use this for your cutting as its display piece."
Use your craft skills to give a unique gift
Mary Grant is a long-term member of her local Country Women's Association branch in north-east Victoria.
With cost-of-living impacting many this year, and waste front of mind for many people, Mary says handmade items are a great option.
"I have a feeling that people are a little more interested in creating handmade things rather than going and buying whatever from the big retail stores," she says.
"Making something by hand and giving that to a person has a whole lot more attached to it than something that comes out of a shop."
Denim being a strong, firm fabric means it's versatile for repurposing, she says.
Mary says you can make bags from denim bags by cutting off the legs, sewing across the bottom and removing the waistband — this can be reattached as a strap.
Existing pockets will be handy compartments, Mary says.
"That's one of the old tried-and-true ones that's been around for quite some time," Mary says.
A strip of denim cut into scallops can also be gathered to create a simple floral brooch.
If denim is not your thing, you could also try knitting or crochet. You might just pick up a new hobby.
ABC Everyday in your inbox
Get our newsletter for the best of ABC Everyday each week