My name is Emily Herbert and I am a consumer. 

It’s true – I love things. You could say I’m somewhat of a hoarder. I mean, the discarded jewels I have found on the Upper Clutha Facebook page alone. I’M SAVING MONEY, I tell my partner. IT’S A BARGAIN. YES, IT’S MISSING A SLEEVE, BUT IT’S MONS!

I am the perfect millennial candidate (although, between you and me, I fall somewhat outside the age bracket. Dammit.) for some heavy-hitting Instagram ads. Being a yogi doesn’t excuse me from some premium targeted selling. Things I didn’t know I needed, now sitting, nay, shimmering in my online shopping cart. A towel that doesn’t stick to sand? I’m in! A nifty thingymajig you stick in your mouth that both whitens your teeth and cleans your tongue? Give me two! 

The novelty of stuff, that euphoric rush of putting in my card details, my sins absolved and soul cleansed by the tantalising promise of a new me, de-sanded and teeth whitened. Then comes the online shopping hangover, akin to the Christmas party and the unsavoury pick up of that guy that looked pretty cute four rosés deep. Regret, denial and a dawn dash, sprinting from tree to tree to avoid the early morning joggers. 

Wait, what? 

Christmas can be like this, times one gagillion. The frenzy of shopping, the mad purchasing rush to buy your partner’s cousin’s new wife a token thing to open on the day. This is usually me. I love giving presents. Love seeing people’s faces as they unwrap that thing I’ve thought about, found, bought, wrapped. Everyone needs another scented candle, amiright? 

But the reality is, my bank balance doesn’t love it – and neither does our landfill. One survey found one in 10 gifts end up in landfill – and this dirge of unwanted pressies is a real and palpable strain on our resources. The average Kiwi spends around $624 on Christmas each year, while according to the Sydney Morning Herald, an estimated $400 million was spent on 10 million unwanted gifts in Australia last Christmas. 

Novelty items, candles, pamper products, pyjamas, slippers, underwear and socks are among the least appreciated gifts, according to a national survey. But while the waste, the single use plastic and the discarded food can leave a bad taste in your mouth, it doesn’t mean you have to go all grinchy. This is the first year that my family and I have opted for a Kris Kringle scheme when it comes to gift giving. We each have a member of the family to buy for, with a capped budget. It means we have more time and more money to buy something thoughtful. 

As an Australian, I’ve been scouring the Buy from the Bush Instagram page – a platform showcasing small country businesses with beautiful, conscious gifts; helping out small business owners in the bush during the worst drought in living memory. That platform has been life-changing for many business owners struggling to stay afloat.

In Wanaka, we’re spoilt for choice when it comes to thoughtful, conscious gifting. It may be an experience climbing the waterfalls with Wild Wire, a DOC backcountry hut pass for a year’s worth of tramping, a meal out, a keep cup, a Pilates package at a local studio, a massage, a pass for Bike Glendhu. 

One thing yoga has taught me is that, amid the hurry and rush, we have a choice. You can choose to be flustered and hateful of a busy and potentially wasteful time of the year. You can choose to disconnect and throw your hands up in the air, say no to it all – the pressies, the food, the stress. Or you can choose to model the behaviour you’d like to see more of. Find the pockets of grace. Lean in. Wrap your presents in newspaper or scarves. Let the extended family know your kids don’t need any more toys, but they’d love something fun to do together. Make something by hand. Say no to the disposable cutlery or plastic packaging. Choose to find that equilibrium. Love the good bits and discard the others. 

Amid it all, relish in the real flurries of joy. Family, friends, food. Love, the lake. A great book, a quiet cuppa. A glass of wine in the afternoon sunshine. Merry Christmas to you all. I hope it’s the best yet.